Update: It appears that there was some confusion at the Microsoft CES keynote and Halo Wars is still set to hit stores on the original release date of March 3. However, a spokesperson for Microsoft did confirm that, as Bach said in the keynote, a demo will be released on February 5.
Straight from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas come news that the upcoming strategy title set in the Halo universe, Halo Wars, has a new confirmed release date as well as plans for a demo. Specifically, the company announced that the Xbox 360 exclusive title is now coming out on February 28, three days earlier than previously scheduled, while a demo will be made available over Xbox Live on February 5.
In announcing the release date, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices division President Robbie Bach noted that Halo Wars is the first "T-rated" version of the game, something Microsoft hopes will broaden the franchise's appeal to a bigger audience. As for Halo 3: ODST, a standalone expansion for the Halo 3 first person shooter, Bach reminded the audience that the game is still set for a fall 2009 release. In the game, players will take on the role of a UNSC Orbital Drop Shock Trooper during the events leading up to Halo 3.
In other gaming related announcements, Microsoft's Robbie Bach touted 17 million people now active on Xbox Live and a 60 percent increase in content downloads since the launch of NXE back in November. He also briefly demonstrated Primetime, an upcoming Xbox Live feature that will allow gamers to participate in virtual versions of game shows such as trivia game 1 vs. 100.