Microsoft is set to launch “Halo 2,” a highly publicized sci-fi XBox video game designed to boost the Seattle company’s online gaming service. “Halo 2” goes on sale Monday night — at midnight — amid celebrity launch parties and other special promotions aimed at luring new customers to XBox Live, USA Today reported. Industry insiders predict the success of “Halo 2,” a game that took three years to produce, could double the number of XBox Live subscribers, currently at 1.5 million. “It could start to get to an impressive number of subscribers on a global basis,” said John Taylor, video game industry analyst at Arcadia Investment. Microsoft’s XBox Live, introduced last November, is an elaborate online gaming service allowing subscribers to link their machines to other Xboxes via the Internet to compete in virtual sporting events, combats and adventures. “It’s not like sitting around and beating a game by yourself. You can keep getting better and test yourself against endless amounts of people,” said subscriber Jeff Carey, 25, from Lynnwood, Wash. © Copyright 2004 by United Press International

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