Today's Wall Street Journal offers a view on the importance of new video game release Halo 2 to Microsoft.
"Starting today, millions of videogame players will dive into a world that pits a genetically enhanced super-soldier against the Covenant, a mysterious alien species. The fate of Earth rests on the outcome. So does Microsoft Corp's videogame business."
"Since Microsoft entered the videogame-console business in November 2001, it has lost buckets of money, largely due to the costs of producing the Xbox. Videogame console makers - led by Sony - usually lose money on consoles, but make profit on their games."
"However, Microsoft has had a tough time building a pipeline of hits for the Xbox, putting the burden on Halo and its sequel to carry the load."
