 Thirteen retail Microsoft Stores hosted launch events for Anniversary 's November 15 , 2011 , midnight release ; festivities included sixteen @-@ player multiplayer matches , limited @-@ edition giveaways , and appearances by the game developers . In the United Kingdom , Microsoft and the British video game retailer GAME held two prerelease events with the full version of the game and prizes . In another British promotion , those who purchased a special Halo @-@ themed Pizza Hut pizza during a two @-@ week promotional period surrounding the release date received two days of Xbox Live premium membership . VideoGamer.com 's staff found the pizza to be delicious , but its connection to the Halo franchise tenuous . Microsoft and Pizza Hut would run a similar promotion the next year for Halo 4 's release . 
