- Oct 17, 2006
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Wow, I didn't think the release would be this big!
http://videogames.yahoo.com/news-532002
http://videogames.yahoo.com/news-532002
Halo 3 outsells every other entertainment release in history
Video game nets record $170m on first day
Confirming the expectations of many industry pundits, Microsoft announced today that its flagship Xbox 360 shooter Halo 3 had the biggest entertainment launch in history, generated a record-breaking $170m in the United States on its Tuesday debut.
Halo 3's launch day sales total eclipses prior record-holder Spider-Man 3, which produced $151m in revenue over its opening weekend in May 2007. Retailing at between $59.99 and $129.99, depending on how many extra gewgaws you like to get with your games, one sale of Halo 3 generates considerably more revenue than a movie ticket, making direct comparisons problematic. Microsoft isn't letting that stop them, though -- especially since Spider-Man's numbers represent three days of sales next to Halo's one.
The Tuesday launch was marked by long lines outside game stores nationwide, as eager consumers turned up ahead of the midnight launch to guarantee themselves a copy of the game, which brings the story of its iconic star, Master Chief, to a close. Microsoft backed the launch with a $10m marketing campaign, and many opening day events were livened up with visits from Microsoft marketing teams. Master Chief himself even made an appearance in Times Square on Tuesday, where he rang the closing bell at the NASDAQ stock market.
September 25 also marked Microsoft online service Xbox Live's most active day to date. More than one million gamers logged onto the service to play Halo 3 online in the first 20 hours of its release.