[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] path1k face it, the series received it's peak point of criticism with Halo Reach ... however 343i still have [b]1[/b] chance of making things right with Halo 4. if they blow it again, Halo Reach will be the highest grossing game in the series, after that the stats will fall lower and lower[/quote] Reach ony got the initial sales because of some great marketing (microsoft) not the game itself (bungie). People brought in with [i]special ODST beta access[/i] (like who else charges "beta" testers - lol). They then tied in that hook by pushing special pre-release purchase perks. But ... two weeks after people got the game the online player count fell in record style. Great marketing, disappointing game. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] path1k doesn't help that their first impression of taking over the Halo franchise turned out to be a colossal failure (instead of giving fans the original Halo multiplayer, we get a damn map pack for Halo Reach)[/quote] Remember ODST ?!? ... an expansion pack sold as a new game. Nothing new to see here. But back to '[i]wonder if Micro$oft will ever look back[/i]'. Still cant see why they would want to. Even if H4 is a massive flop, would anyone notice/remember, they will have plenty of titles in their stable - many would say it is a good thing, time for a new king (well other than cod). But bungie?? - when did they split (2007 from memory) ... what have they achieved since? (mind you, I would also be tempted to sit back and spend some of that massive $$ and have a great break)