It has been rumored before that Microsoft and Bungie weren't going to have the sequel to Halo 2 ready for the November 2005 launch of Xbox 360. Now instead sounding like a delay, Microsoft has turned the tardiness of the next Halo into a weapon to combat PlayStation 3 sales. Sony has been cautious in releasing details of the next PlayStation, sticking to the industry standard of 5 year hardware cycles. We're expecting to see the PlayStation 3 in late 2006, and that is when Bill Gates, with great brilliance, has confirmed to Time Magazine that the sequel to Halo 2 is going to be released in conjuction with Sony's launch of the PlayStation 3. Stealing the thunder to Sony's launch will help Microsoft maintain their supposed install-base lead. Sony currently does not have a major must-have franchise locked up in exclusivity yet. GTA may be the closest, but the sales figures for Halo 2 do not lie. Halo is the saving grace of Microsoft's foray into the console gaming arena. Without Halo, Xbox would not be in the position it is today.

Halo 3 parrying PlayStation 3 launch [GameSpot]