Halo 3 expansion announced

Halo developer Bungie has finally lifted the lid on the

much-delayed announcement of its new project

, revealing a brand new gameplay expansion for Xbox 360 global hit Halo 3 – and sparking a little controversy in the process.

A countdown concluded weeks of build-up on Bungie’s site yesterday to release a new video for the game. Very few details are nailed down in the trailer, though lots of conclusions have been drawn. It’s known that the project is some sort of Halo 3 expansion, and it has been confirmed to be in production in conjunction with Microsoft Game Studios.

Speculation has also pointed to a January 6th release next year, after a seemingly hidden code was unearthed in the trailer. It is not yet known whether the game will be a downloadable or retail product.

Bizarrely, amongst the many screen so of static in the piece is an apparent reference to the disappearance of Maddie McCann, with the message Maddie, where are you?” appearing for just three frames.

Complaints have sprouted up on the Bungie forums, though one employee of the developer has insisted elsewhere that there is no connection between the teaser trailer and the missing girl.