Microsoft and Bungie Studios sent out word today that the highly anticipated final chapter in the Halo trilogy has been completed and released to manufacturing. Gamers who have marked their calendars for a September 25 sick day can now rest easy with this reassurance that Halo 3 will indeed meet its previously announced ship date without any unforseen delays.

"This is a huge milestone for us and a big cause for celebration at Bungie and Microsoft Game Studios," said Harold Ryan, Studio Head at Bungie Studios. "This is the game we’ve always wanted to make and certainly the best game our studio has developed. We can’t wait for gamers to get their hands on it on Sept. 25."

Microsoft is anticipating Halo 3 to break entertainment sales records when it is released. The title has already received more than one million preorders in North America alone.