By Jennifer Larson

It looks like Halo 3 is poised to race past SPIDERMAN 3, with its projected sales. And if the $125 million gross for Halo 2 is any indicator, I’d say it’s more than likely. Oh, and that $125 million was earned within the first 24 hours of its release. And I though the money some of the high-budget movies were making was mind blowing. Then again, gaming has struck at the hearts and minds of adults and children alike ever since the classic video game, Pong, came out. But I don’t think anybody envisioned a world where more than a million copies of a game would be pre-ordered, 30 years ago. Moreover, who could have imagined seeing grown men and women waiting in line for days on end just to make sure they got their game the first day?

The answer to that is Bill Gates. Starpulse.com says “Microsoft Corp. seems confident of outdoing the SPIDERMAN 3 summer blockbuster that grossed $151 million in its opening weekend.” But sales of the game are just one component. There is also major mass marketing going on with connections to soda bottles, comic books and action figures. That means you can add millions more to Halo 3’s earning potential … all for a game. Granted, these aren’t your mother and father’s games ... heck, they aren’t even you older brother and sister’s games. With technology just getting better and better, your new video game is outdated months after you buy it. Still, I doubt a re-release of Donkey Kong would break any sales records. Then again, with all the new technological advancements, who knows?

Don’t think the movie industry is hurting, because they can cash in with tie ins to these mega games. This means Americans – and the world – loves their entertainment. There’s nothing wrong with that, I know I’d be lost without my Tivo. My only concern is whether or not we are being taken for a ride. These games can run up to a hundred dollars a pop, even more in some cases. If you can afford to spend that kind of money, more power to you. But for those who can’t, this just looks like one more way to divide the haves and the have nots.