10,000 stores to open at midnight for Halo 4 launch

Microsoft has announced that, when "Halo 4" officially launches Tuesday, more than 10,000 stores in more than 40 countries will open their doors at 12:01 a.m.

The company said it will aim to make the "Halo 4" launch the biggest entertainment premier of the year — rivalling that of not only any other game but of any Hollywood movie.

In addition to the 10,000 stores opening at midnight,  Microsoft will have big launch events in cities such as Seattle, Paris, Berlin and Hong Kong. In London, the launch will be celebrated with an unrevealed Halo-themed stunt on the Thames. (Update: the stunts seems to have been flying the “Halo 4” Glyph symbol, one of the largest and brightest man-made structures to ever fly over over the city, over London Bridge)

The Halo franchise has sold more than 46 million copies worldwide, generating more than $3 billion in sales since its start back in 2001, making all the expense worthwhile.

Are any of our readers planning to pick up a copy? Let us know below.

Via NBCNews.com