Microsoft is clearly pulling out all stops to let the masses know that Master Chief is back to finish the fight.

With the release of “Halo 3” this week, an onslaught of marketing campaigns has dominated the media, getting more and more extravagant by the minute.

It started with the “Starry Nights” trailer that played last year on ESPN, and ever since then, the videos have continued to play out.

The $10 million "Believe" campaign that started earlier this month features an elderly man recalling his experience battling alongside Master Chief as well as video of figures depicting a battle scene with a brute holding up Master Chief.

Next, the “Halo 3” Beta was released, which allowed anyone that was invited, randomly selected or owned a copy of “Crackdown” to try out the multiplayer version of the game.

It doesn’t stop there. 7-Eleven is taking pre-orders and plastering Master Chief’s face onto their 44 ounce Slurpees.

Microsoft has released a “Halo 3” themed Zune, Pontiac is holding a sweepstakes to win a “Halo 3” branded Pontiac G6 GXP Street and Burger King is launching a “Halo 3” ad campaign on wrappers and cups.

Mountain Dew has even created a new soda cleverly named “Game Fuel.” It’s cherry flavored Mountain Dew which comes off more like Skittle juice or caffeinated cough syrup.

With 77 grams of sugar, it packs plenty of punch to get you through those long gaming hours.

Microsoft is clearly pulling out all stops to let the masses know that Master Chief is back to finish the fight.

The marketing campaign has been monumental, even epic, in size.

Microsoft is so sure the “Halo 3” launch will be a success that the company is boasting that the game will beat the “Spiderman 3” film debut weekend box office record of $151 million in just 24 hours.

With over a million confirmed pre-orders, “Halo 3” has quite a good chance.

A new message is being spread around the world. Gaming is no longer just fun and games; it’s a multi-billion dollar industry.

In the tradition of “Star Wars,” “Pirates” and “Shrek,” entertainment is more about the marketing than the product.

The question is whether or not the game will live up to the hype.

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