Well that could be the eventual release date. But according to bungie, they have stated time and time again, that they will release Halo 2 when it is finished, and when it is perfected to their expectations, and our own.
I think thats Microsofts tentative release date for now. It could be right, but Bungie will neither deny nor confirm it.
I was able to see about forty seconds of new footage recently, I got a download before the site was taken down but I do have a screenshot to show part of what I'm talking about. It shows MC inside a structure similar to some of the ones in halo 1. He cracks a jackal in the back with just a single smg, not the double. Then a door opens up, and a bunch of grunts and jackals come running out. He lobs a frag grenade and they go flying from the explosion, as well as some objects that were standing, are shattered apart, and a few others go flying from the explosion. This once again shows off Halo 2's Physics engine It then cuts to a bunch of jackals and elites walking around a floating circular platform with a yellow plasma field in the center. This is supposedly a forerunner facility in the middle of a gas giant. Then the final scene is two blue standard elites walking around conversing, they appear to have a new covenant weapon, looks like a convenant type of shotgun.
Here is the shot.
http://halo.bungie.net/images/site/h...lo2/h2_X03.jpg
Ill post some more screens later.