Microsoft's "Halo 3" pre-orders exceed 1 million

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O) said on Thursday orders ahead of the official launch of the fast-paced shooter video game "Halo 3" exceeded 1 million in North America, breaking pre-order records in the video game industry.

"Halo 3," the third version of its flagship game franchise in which players assume the role of futuristic soldiers fighting an alien army, is scheduled for a retail release on September 25 for Microsoft's game console Xbox 360.

(Reporting by Kenneth Li)