The key to profitability at Microsoft Corp's (MSFT) Xbox division could hinge on the company's announcement to release its Halo 3 video game ahead of Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 4, according to Goldman Sachs analyst Sarah Friar.
Microsoft will release Halo 3 on September 25, 2007, almost one month before the October 16 release of Grand Theft Auto 4.
"We believe the availability of Halo 3 before the launch of GTA4 is a strategic play by Microsoft to increase sales of Xbox 360 and to take sales away from Sony's PS3." Ms. Friar said in a note to clients.