From the horses mouth (Bungie)

So remember last year when we told you we don't announce release dates until we're confident well meet our deadline? Well now were confident. Halo 2 will ship in Fall, 2004. Please make a note of it.

Since you are our most important audience we wanted to tell you first. We've enjoyed your support, your patience and your loyalty, so this is the least we could do.

There will be a fair number of new details and announcements to follow over the next few months, and of course theres always E3. Here at Bungie.net, as you've recently witnessed, were ramping up a campaign of new content, details and snippets of info, just to keep you sated while you get ready for Fall. Until then, feast your eyes on the first ever Multiplayer screenshot of Halo 2, and check out this week's UPDATE. Can you smell the bacon yet?

Here is a Halo 2 Multiplayer shot