microsoft is dumb...or evilishly smart
thye ain't getting my money with that trick
$200 for a new OS just to play a $50 game that's graphically outdated?

Actually it gets worse. Apparently, the game will also require a windows based version of live to play online. This version is streamlined and doesn't offer the same features as the Xbox version (no clan building or online ranking/score tracking). Also this statement doesn't make me happy: "In a recent update Bungie has confirmed that you will be able to play H2V 'at zero cost.' Though they do go on to mention that there would be 'very tempting reasons to upgrade to a full paid Live Gold membership.'" The game does not in any way require the use of Vista. It's made for DirectX 9 cards, so it won' be using any of the expanded features of DirectX 10, making the shift to Vista totally pointless. Plus, once again, no co-op.

Unfortunately, this will be the trend for future MS games on the PC. Even Flight Simulator is making the switch. While the current version will run in XP, it is optimized for Vista and will run better and take advantage of Direct X 10 only in Vista.

I once heard that games on Vista runs 15% slower because of its 3D desktop. If that's true, then is there any company that doesn't think everyone's filthy rich?

I would assume it depends on the game. Usually, people notice better performance out of games built for Vista. Flight Simulator X actually runs smoother in Vista than in XP.

With Halo 2, though, the only reason they want to use Vista is to push this new Windows-based Live which is apparently only available in Vista. Personally, I think moving Live to a major operating system for the PC is a bad, BAD idea. It has all sorts of potential to ruin gaming for PC enthusiasts.

So basically your only choices are: Play on vista or get a xbox? Damn, either way they win. Clever bastards.

Glad i got a xbox then.

I'm just glad I'm not into Halo. I don't really feel like upgrading to Vista. My computer has the horsepower to do it, but I think Vista's technical requirements are silly.