Microsoft has unveiled details in a recent Polygon feature (via GamesIndustry) that the upcoming sci-fi first-person shooter Halo 4 is the companies most expensive game ever for Microsoft Studios and the newest developer 343 Industries. In an interview with Microsoft Studios head Phil Spencer, Halo as a franchise is worth three billion dollars, and is the "most important entertainment product in the company."

While it isn't known how much money has been spent on the latest title for Master Chief, GamesIndustry has cited that the "media spend was more than that of Halo 3, to which it had devoted $6.5 million, according to Kantar Media", so considering that margin it's safe to say quite a lot.

Halo 4 will be marking the first major installment in the series that previous studio Bungie will not have overseen, marking a transition to the newest developers, 343 Industries. With more than 10 years of development blueprints, many are awaiting to see what kind of development spin the new studio has placed on the sci-fi FPS.

You can read more on the behind-the-scenes of development for Halo 4 over at the Polygon feature. Halo 4 will be available exclusively for Xbox 360 on November 6th.