The decision: Microsoft released Halo 2, the sequel to its highly successful video game Halo, a year later than customers expected. Though the delay disappointed gamers in the short term, it ensured a better product. It also bolstered the hold of the Xbox game console -- part of Microsoft's bid for a place in our living rooms.

Halo, the revolutionary video game pitting the "Master Chief" against a coalition of evil aliens, helped spark sales of Microsoft's Xbox game console when both products debuted in 2001. When the company announced in August 2002 it was creating Halo 2, the game was expected to be on the market by the 2003 holiday season. Instead, it would not be released until the 2004 holidays.