Microsoft today announced that the Xbox 360 exclusive game “Halo 3” has officially become the biggest entertainment launch in history, garnering an estimated $170 million in sales in the United States alone in the first 24 hours. The Xbox 360 title beat previous records set by blockbuster theatrical releases like “Spider-man 3” and novels such as “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”
“Halo 3” is the conclusion to the epic trilogy and picks up where “Halo 2” left off, answering questions around the fates of the beloved protagonist Master Chief and his artificial intelligence sidekick Cortana as they struggle to save humankind from destruction at the hands of the alien coalition known as the Covenant. In addition to the rich storyline, “Halo 3” continues the franchise’s grand tradition of delivering innovative online multiplayer experiences via Xbox LIVE, the world’s largest social network on TV.
“Halo 3 has become a pop-culture phenomenon,” said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “Not only is “Halo 3” setting sales records, it’s also redefining entertainment.
Within the first 20 hours alone, we’ve seen more than a million Xbox LIVE members come online to play Halo 3 – that makes September 25 the most active Xbox LIVE gaming day in history.”
Retailers have also expressed their excitement about the launch of “Halo 3.”
Click the read more link to view the entire story..
Microsoft is celebrating a gigantic spike in Xbox 360 sales – as it prepares to splash out a whopping £4 million on marketing for the release of Halo 3.
According to ChartTrack data, the platform holder enjoyed a 260 per cent rise in sales of its next-gen format two weeks ago (week 34), after introducing the Elite model to the market and dropping the price of its Core and Premium consoles.
Perhaps even more impressively, sales only dipped 20 per cent the following week (week 35) – leaving up-to-date calendar year sales 4.9 per cent higher than they were in 2006.
And now the firm is set to splash the cash on ‘phase two’ of its pre-Christmas 360 sales push with the release of system seller Halo 3 – which it is backing with what it calls the ‘biggest entertainment launch of all time’.
We’ve seen what the previous two iterations of Halo did for console sales, so we’re anticipating an incredible amount of demand come the launch of Halo 3,” said Microsoft’s head of gaming and entertainment Stephen McGill.
“The day one revenue of Halo 2 was the biggest number for the launch of any entertainment property. That has since been surpassed by Spider-Man 3 and Pirates of the Caribbean 3. But we’re confident Halo 3 will take back this accolade.
“It’s only when you start comparing figures to the launch of huge films that it really hits home – this really will be the biggest entertainment launch of all time.”
Activision's Spider-Man 3(TM) Video Game Unleashes the Power of the Black Suit into North American Retail Stores
Even the noblest of Marvel's Super Heroes have a dark side - it's time to unleash yours in the Spider-Man 3(TM) video game from Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI). Timed to the highly anticipated theatrical release of Sony Pictures Entertainment's Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios' "Spider-Man 3," based on the famous Marvel characters, the game allows players to experience for the first time Spider-Man's mysterious black-suited persona, as well as heroic red suit while battling villains in a massive New York City playground teeming with activity.
"The Spider-Man 3(TM) video game gives fans the chance to relive their favorite scenes from the film, as well as new storylines brought to life by movie talents Tobey Maguire, Topher Grace, Thomas Haden Church, James Franco and J.K. Simmons," said Rob Kostich, vice president, global brand management, Activision, Inc. "Players will swing into action and choose to follow the film plot or new storylines, fight off crime waves, explore vast exterior and underground locations or battle super-villains while harnessing the power of the black suit."
HQ Network: 8,130 | 
Guests: 4805 |
Members: 1
And now the firm is set to splash the cash on ‘phase two’ of its pre-Christmas 360 sales push with the release of system seller Halo 3 – which it is backing with what it calls the ‘biggest entertainment launch of all time’.
