Halo 5: Guardians release date announced

As you're probably well aware by now, last night Microsoft debuted two new trailers — well, more teasers — for Halo 5: Guardians.

As we pointed out, both videos were of the same event, but with roles reversed. In the first, Agent Locke angrily blames an injured Master Chief for the destruction of the city around them, calling humanity's savior a now betrayer. In the second TV spot, it's the same events but from Master Chief's perspective with the roles reversed: Chief approaches a wounded Locke and asks "if it was all worth it."

While the videos left us with plenty of questions, the most pressing of ours was surprisingly answered: Halo 5: Guardians will release on October 27, 2015.

Many of us assumed Halo 5 would release in November, as most Halos have in the past. With Halo 5 instead releasing in October, it now leaves Microsoft without a confirmed first-party Xbox One release for November.

Since November is typically when a new Call of Duty releases, and although it's not a first-party exclusive, Microsoft usually arranges a timed exclusivity deal for the game's DLC. Perhaps Microsoft is thinking this DLC deal will help encourage sales of Xbox One. Or maybe Rise of the Tomb Raider, another timed Xbox exclusive, will be Microsoft's big November game. Not having to compete with Halo would certainly help Square Enix's sales.

We're only in March now, so there's still some time for Microsoft to lay out its big holiday season plans — especially with E3 approaching.