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Microsoft Banks on 'Halo 3' to Boost XBOX Sales Halo 3 is one of the most-anticipated video games of the year. It's exclusively for Microsoft's XBOX 360 console, and it's aimed squarely at hardcore gamers, but Microsoft and its competitors — Sony and Nintendo — are also trying to appeal to younger kids and families.

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Microsoft Banks on 'Halo 3' to Boost XBOX Sales

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Microsoft Banks on 'Halo 3' to Boost XBOX Sales

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Halo 3, scheduled for release in September, is one of the most-anticipated video games of the year. The two previous versions were blockbusters. Halo 3 is exclusively for Microsoft's XBOX 360 console, and Microsoft hopes the new game will boost sales of its console.

Since the past Christmas retail season, Nintendo's Wii has been outselling the XBOX and their rival from Sony, the PlayStation 3, by appealing to families and more casual gamers. Halo 3 is aimed squarely at hardcore gamers, the market Sony and Microsoft traditionally target. However, after the success of Wii, game makers for all three of the consoles are developing products to appeal to younger kids and families.