Massive Rise in UK Xbox 360 Sales

[fitbabits]

And by massive, I mean 260% massive! GamesIndustry.biz (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=28467) has the details:

Chart-Track [the UK equivalent to NPD] has released new statistics which show a 260 per cent week-on-week increase in UK sales for Microsoft's Xbox 360.

[The] sales spike coincided with the introduction of the new Elite model, and a price reduction for the existing Premium and Core versions.

Strong sales continued into a second week, falling by only 20 per cent.
I can only imagine this surge will continue right up until Christmas (and perhaps beyond), especially given the quality of the 360's holiday lineup.

Is it too early to say that the 360 has the holiday season all sewn up?

[Klunka]

Is this the power of Halo 3?

[Kamalot]

That's great news for Microsoft and the 360. Who would have guessed that a more reasonable price along with a top-tier game release (Bioshock) would result in a sales surge.

[KidCactus]

How about some actual numbers instead of percent only?

[Gorvi]

How about some actual numbers instead of percent only?
I don't think they have any. I'm pretty sure they never actually report solid numbers.
Is it too early to say that the 360 has the holiday season all sewn up?
Yes, very. ;)

[digitalErich]

Is it too early to say that the 360 has the holiday season all sewn up?
With the Wii still selling like it is? Yes.

[phantomhitman]

How about some actual numbers instead of percent only?

12 gillion and a half

[Itchyeyes]

Is it too early to say that the 360 has the holiday season all sewn up?
In terms of console sales, probably, especially with the Wii selling half a million units a month here in states just during normal months. Software sales are a whole other story. With a significantly higher attach rate than the Wii, a significantly higher install base than the PS3, and one hell of a holiday season lineup the 360 is sure to move a hell of a lot of games over the next 4-5 months.

[Yellowman]

Console wars are going to be decidedly close. Which is good for everybody, remember the halcyon days when the Genesis and SNES were out? Those days are back!

[MrWonderstuff]

Well with Halo 3, Assassins Creed and Mass effect all due its certainly is a good time to be a 360 gamer.

[Roc Ingersol]

microsoft has software sales all sewn up. but the wii is going to continue slaughtering hardware charts.

i do wonder how long until ppl start bickering about whether halo3's first few weeks of sales count as 'holiday'. ya know - the usual fanboy spinning bullshit.

[CaptStu]

I wonder what the US numbers will look like in the next NPD report because of the price drop.

[Telefrog]

So we're celebrating a 260% rise from what exactly? 100 consoles per week? 10 million? This report is almost useless besides allowing fanboys a way to toot their horns.

[Mdot23]

Halo 3 + Mass Effect + Rock Band = $$$

[Crowe]

So we're celebrating a 260% rise from what exactly? 100 consoles per week? 10 million? This report is almost useless besides allowing fanboys a way to toot their horns.

It's got nothing to do with fanboy's. I enjoy reading shit like this no matter what console.

[zorper]

microsoft has software sales all sewn up. but the wii is going to continue slaughtering hardware charts.

Maybe it's time to stop grouping the Wii with the 360 and PS3 because its so different, or just declare the Wii the 'winner' of this generation. (This from a total xbox fanboy.)

[Citizen Philip]

How about some actual numbers instead of percent only?

I was wondering that.. so if they normally sold 200, that means they sold 450. Okay.

[menage]

Halo 3 + Mass Effect + Rock Band = $$$


I wonder if hardware sales are actually influenced by games which aren't out yet. For the hardcore yes, but I think the hardcore already own a 360 or a PS3. I think games like Forza, Bioshock, Guitar Hero 2, etc. which are on the shelves already spur sales significanly. Nobody buys a machine to wait for upcoming titles.

I don''t think the average buyer has a clue about Mass Effect or Creed.

[Gorvi]

It's got nothing to do with fanboy's. I enjoy reading shit like this no matter what console.
So you enjoy seeing arbitrary percentages with no actual numbers attached to them? :confused:

[bapenguin]

Is it too early to say that the 360 has the holiday season all sewn up?

*Shakes Magic 8-Ball* - Reply hazy, try again

Honestly, the Wii is going to destroy this Holiday season as long as Nintendo can unleash the stock. My guess is, magically in the next month or two, Wii's will become readily available. The manufacturing problems will cease to exist. Especially if they decide to release Wii-Fit before the holidays.

Of course, it won't be your traditional gamer buying it for the most part. It'll just be the "cool thing to do".

[bean19]

I don't think they have any. I'm pretty sure they never actually report solid numbers.

They have them. The numbers are only available to subscribers of Chart Track though, and remain Chart Track's property, so posting them directly would be illegal.

I would also like to see the numbers. My guess is that they are unimpressive across the board for all platforms as the U.K. is a small island. If the U.K. has contributed more than a million sales to the Xbox 360's total sales so far world-wide, I'd be surprised. I bet they haven't sold a million Wii units there either (supply), and I bet the PS3 hasn't sold more than 300K there.

[Gott]

I was wondering that.. so if they normally sold 200, that means they sold 450. Okay.

Well if you figure the 360 sells about 200k-250k a month give or take, and that the US and UK are the biggest hotspots for 360 sales. The figure that on a monthly basis the UK sells about 100k...so break that down weekly...so about 25k a week.

so we're looking at instead of selling 25k for the week they sold like 90k...that is a big increase. Then the next week they sold around 80k...

Is that math about right you think?

[Gorvi]

They have them. The numbers are only available to subscribers of Chart Track though, and remain Chart Track's property, so posting them directly would be illegal.
Well, that's what I meant. The numbers aren't public. I'm sure they have the actual numbers, or else the percentages would be nothing more than a guess.

[BGSS]

So you enjoy seeing arbitrary percentages with no actual numbers attached to them? :confused:

It's possible to be interested that there is an influx of sales in the UK, regardless of the original sales count. So yes, we don't mind hearing about it.

I'm surprised a few of you don't seem to grasp that concept.

[King Drewsky]

Prediction: The 360 will sell the most total games this holiday, but the Wii will have the best selling single game and a number of games in the top 10.

[BGSS]

Prediction: The 360 will sell the most total games this holiday, but the Wii will have the best selling single game and a number of games in the top 10.

I could see that. Wii hardware is strong but the software attach rate is very low (I work at a game studio and a strong majority of my co-workers with wii's (a lot of them) have only bought 2, maybe 3 games for it since launch (and TP was a given, that's one of them).

The software attach rate on the 360 is nuts though, I know a few guys with 15+ games already. I have also read a couple sales reports confirming this (that the number is high, not 15+ though).

[TheFlyingOrc]

Console wars are going to be decidedly close. Which is good for everybody, remember the halcyon days when the Genesis and SNES were out? Those days are back!
Are...are you joking? There's nothing at all to indicate that's going to happen.

[TheFlyingOrc]

T
I would also like to see the numbers. My guess is that they are unimpressive across the board for all platforms as the U.K. is a small island. If the U.K. has contributed more than a million sales to the Xbox 360's total sales so far world-wide, I'd be surprised. I bet they haven't sold a million Wii units there either (supply), and I bet the PS3 hasn't sold more than 300K there.
Prepare to be surprised. The UK appears to be more consoles per capita than NA.

The Nintendo Wii has become the fastest-selling games console in UK history, with more than one million consoles sold since it was released in December, latest figures show.

The Wii passed the milestone just 38 weeks after going on sale, 11 weeks faster than the PlayStation 2 took to reach this target, and 22 weeks faster than the Xbox 360, according to Chart Track, an independent sales tracking company for the gaming industry.

Source (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/30/nwii130.xml)

[Mdot23]

Prediction: The 360 will sell the most total games this holiday, but the Wii will have the best selling single game and a number of games in the top 10.

What would this magic #1 game be?

[Gorvi]

What would this magic #1 game be?
Quite possibly Mario Galaxy. Mario is still a damn powerful name, especially with the more casual gamers. Hell, look how well a crap game like Mario Party 8 sold back in June.

[Gott]

Wii Play 2 with Horsehoe tossing, kite flying, and frisbee throwing is going to dominate the charts in japan for years...

What a joke.

[bean19]

Prediction: The 360 will sell the most total games this holiday, but the Wii will have the best selling single game and a number of games in the top 10.

Fun prediction, but Halo 3 will be the best-selling game this year. Otherwise, I think you're right.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Quite possibly Mario Galaxy. Mario is still a damn powerful name, especially with the more casual gamers. Hell, look how well a crap game like Mario Party 8 sold back in June.
Indeed. Mario Sunshine was the third best selling game on the Gamecube, I believe, and it wasn't all that good. Word on the street is that this one IS good.

Had Sunshine been as good as Mario 64, probably would have been the #1 gamecube game.

[bean19]

Flying Orc - That's really interesting. This means that the U.K. market is comparable to the Japanese market so far except that the U.K. likes the 360 instead of the PS3.

[Gorvi]

Indeed. Mario Sunshine was the third best selling game on the Gamecube, I believe, and it wasn't all that good. Word on the street is that this one IS good.

Had Sunshine been as good as Mario 64, probably would have been the #1 gamecube game.
Yep, it probably would have been. I'll say this: if MG turns out to be what MS should have been and is really great, that will be the final straw for me. I'll find a way to get a Wii if I have to mug an old lady to do it.

[TrackZero]

Is it too early to say that the 360 has the holiday season all sewn up?[/I]

Well, I'm sure all three consoles will sell well. Wii will no doubt keep pace for system sales with the 360, though game sales are another matter entirely.

[Gorvi]

Flying Orc - That's really interesting. This means that the U.K. market is comparable to the Japanese market so far except that the U.K. likes the 360 instead of the PS3.
I think you're assuming that the 360 is blowing the doors off of the PS3 at this point in the UK, which really is just speculation, as none of us know what the numbers look like. Unless you've got info that backs that up?

[TrackZero]

Yep, it probably would have been. I'll say this: if MG turns out to be what MS should have been and is really great, that will be the final straw for me. I'll find a way to get a Wii if I have to mug an old lady to do it.

You still having a hard time finding one? My friends store has a few sitting around in stock, I can give you the store info if you want to order one (though it's coming from Canada, so *insert lame joke here*).

[Gorvi]

You still having a hard time finding one? My friends store has a few sitting around in stock, I can give you the store info if you want to order one (though it's coming from Canada, so *insert lame joke here*).
Nope, I just have no real big reason to rush out and get one. I'm not a huge fan of motion control, and I have no real need for minigames.

[bean19]

Indeed. Mario Sunshine was the third best selling game on the Gamecube, I believe, and it wasn't all that good. Word on the street is that this one IS good.

Had Sunshine been as good as Mario 64, probably would have been the #1 gamecube game.

Well, sure, but even the Zelda games don't sell as well as Halo.

Don't get me wrong. I think Halo is an awesome series but I agree with others that the "Halo phenomenon" is out of proportion with the series' quality; that doesn't mean that the weird Halo-craziness doesn't exist though.

Also, keep in mind that the customer base for the Wii is NOT the hardcore audience that the Xbox 360 has. There will be a ton of Wii owners that go out and get Mario Galaxy and a ton of new Wii owners that get it, but I know that my Mom isn't going to get it. . . she wants the new Cooking Mama whenever that comes out, but she hasn't beaten this one yet and asked us not to get her any games for Christmas.

I think the whole "Mom"/party-gamer demographic will ignore it.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I think you're assuming that the 360 is blowing the doors off of the PS3 at this point in the UK, which really is just speculation, as none of us know what the numbers look like. Unless you've got info that backs that up?

It is almost guaranteed to be selling SLOWER - but I can't find numbers for anything more specific than "other" on VGChartz (which is sadly the best resource I know for this kinda thing). I guess we'll know when they announce that Sony hit 1 million in the UK.

[Gott]

Mug an old lady? The thing is $250...

You did buy a $600+ PS3...

Things that make you go hmmm....

[donkeydrop]

I thought that their sales were dropping last week because MS sent a crapload of the wrong consoles to the UK (they had US power supplies which don't work in the UK).

[Gott]

Nope, I just have no real big reason to rush out and get one. I'm not a huge fan of motion control, and I have no real need for minigames.

Oh Snap! The Sony in Gorvi is coming out to pick a fight with the Wii.

[TrackZero]

Prediction: The 360 will sell the most total games this holiday, but the Wii will have the best selling single game and a number of games in the top 10.

Seconded, this will most likely be true. Since games sales are not relational to quality. ;)

[The Continental]

Is it too early to say that the 360 has the holiday season all sewn up?In a word, yes.

But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you were being facetious because even if you weren't, you could just counter that you were and make me look foolish. :)

[TheFlyingOrc]

Well, sure, but even the Zelda games don't sell as well as Halo.

Don't get me wrong. I think Halo is an awesome series but I agree with others that the "Halo phenomenon" is out of proportion with the series' quality; that doesn't mean that the weird Halo-craziness doesn't exist though.

Also, keep in mind that the customer base for the Wii is NOT the hardcore audience that the Xbox 360 has. There will be a ton of Wii owners that go out and get Mario Galaxy and a ton of new Wii owners that get it, but I know that my Mom isn't going to get it. . . she wants the new Cooking Mama whenever that comes out, but she hasn't beaten this one yet and asked us not to get her any games for Christmas.

I think the whole "Mom"/party-gamer demographic will ignore it.
A mario game? You're simply wrong. Mario has broad appeal.

Mario Sunshine actually sold more copies than Halo 1.

The top selling Gamecube games were Smash Bros, at 6 million, and Sunshine, at 5.5 million. The top Xbox games were Halo 2, at 8 million, and Halo, at 5 million.

AND SUNSHINE WASN'T ALL THAT GREAT. Plus, the install base for the Xbox when Halo 2 came out was quite a bit higher than it is now, while the Wii has a much HIGHER install base than the gamecube did when Sunshine came out. It's going to be close.

[donkeydrop]

Yep, statistical monkey business confirmed. They refuse to give actual numbers of consoles sold, but week 35 sales are confirmed to be only 5% higher than the same week last year, despite:

- price drop
- elite launch
- much better lineup of games

[Vandenh]

The 360 will sell the most total games this holiday, but the Wii will have the best selling single game and a number of games in the top 10.

I think it will be quite the opposite.

[King Drewsky]

What would this magic #1 game be?

I'm not really sure, that's why I didn't post one. You would assume it would be Mario Galaxy, but I am not totally convinced yet that it is going to ship this year. I just haven't seen enough evidence that it is close to completion. Super Smash Brothers Brawl could also take the top spot if it is released this year.

As far as why I think either of these two games will sell more than Halo3, Halo3 is a Mature rated game which means that its audience is limited. Moms are not going to buy their 5 year old son Halo3 (mostly, I am sure little Sean Preston Federline is getting a copy). The install base for the Wii console is currently larger by a small margin and Wii owners have a lot less options to choose from this holiday. So I think that with the larger install base and wider audience, a Mario game is going to sell better than Master Chief.

[Gorvi]

Mug an old lady? The thing is $250...

You did buy a $600+ PS3...

Things that make you go hmmm....
Actually, I was talking about being able to find one at the time, because they'll probably be pretty difficult to get ahold of even at that time. And I paid $450 for my PS3, but that's ok. ;)
Oh Snap! The Sony in Gorvi is coming out to pick a fight with the Wii.
Huh? I'm not picking a fight, I really haven't seen anything out there that makes me need to own one yet. A great new Mario game would do that.

[bapenguin]

Fun prediction, but Halo 3 will be the best-selling game this year. Otherwise, I think you're right.

Halo 3 is going to blow the majority of it's load pretty early. Galaxy comes out RIGHT before the Holiday season. I can definitely see it being the #1 game.

[donkeydrop]

It is almost guaranteed to be selling SLOWER - but I can't find numbers for anything more specific than "other" on VGChartz (which is sadly the best resource I know for this kinda thing). I guess we'll know when they announce that Sony hit 1 million in the UK.

link (http://vgchartz.com/eweekly.php)
for VGChartz data showing last weeks sales in UK to be less than 10,000, although still almost double PS3s pitiful numbers.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I think it will be quite the opposite.

The Wii will NOT have the most total games sold. I'd put money on it.

However, I think Galaxy can take out Halo 3. It will be close, either way.

[lockwoodx]

I thought the UK was insanly loyal to Sony? There is this old saying about rats and a ship...

[donkeydrop]

The odd thing about Nintendo consoles is that only Nintendo games sell well for them. So Wii will sell twice as many consoles as 360 and PS3 combined this holiday season, but no question that the 360 will still sell more games.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I thought the UK was insanly loyal to Sony? There is this old saying about rats and a ship...
That was what everyone thought. And, at launch, it looked like it. As SOME of us predicted *cough* ME *cough* , they just had good supply at launch, and sales dropped off drastically soon after.

[Switcher]

With the Wii still selling like it is? Yes.

Double yes. You do realize both Mario Galaxy and Smash Brothers come out within a month of each other?

Way too early to call anything now.

[vash]

im waiting till the new suposedly less failure susceptible generations are out and online play is free :P could be forever concerning the latter reason ;) till then ill play on my roommates box

[Kelegacy]

If Sony's machine was more affordable, I'd bite. But the 360 has the big games (favorably reviewed with fans AND critics) while the PS3 has yet to really show much. There are great games, yes, but none have had the sort of impact as a Halo or a Gears of War.

I think the system is probably a good one, but with so few reasons to own a PS3 right now (many of the 3rd party big games are multiplatform, whereas Microsoft has been able to score a larger number of exclusive 3rd party stuff--Saints Row, Dead Rising, Lost Planet, etc) I'm going to be content with just a 360 for a while to come. Does it bother me that there aren't as many reasons to have a PS3 as there are a 360 right now? Not really, because with the higher price of consoles and games right now I'm glad most are going multiplatform or are on the system I own.

I'm sad to say it, but I don't think lightning will strike thrice for Sony this time. The PS3 wasn't designed properly to take dominion over the industry this time. A cheaper console would help, and more exclusives, so I hope Sony steps up real soon and becomes a better competitor. We all know Microsoft NEEDS competition or we're all doomed.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I'm sad to say it, but I don't think lightning will strike thrice for Sony this time. The PS3 wasn't designed properly to take dominion over the industry this time. A cheaper console would help, and more exclusives, so I hope Sony steps up real soon and becomes a better competitor. We all know Microsoft NEEDS competition or we're all doomed.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b350/theflyingorc/DrDoomChap.gif

[silv]

VGChartz has 360 sitting @ 15k for week ending Sep2, and PS3 @ 5K. This is all for the UK.

[GigaFuzz]

I thought the UK was insanly loyal to Sony? There is this old saying about rats and a ship...

I don't think it's any kind of loyalty to Sony. I think it's some kind of loyalty to good cheap consoles with lots of games. I can't speak for everyone, but I honestly think the 360 is this gen's PS2. It came out first, it's cheaper, and it has more games (and it's got lots of hardware problems :P).

[Telefrog]

It's possible to be interested that there is an influx of sales in the UK, regardless of the original sales count. So yes, we don't mind hearing about it.

I'm surprised a few of you don't seem to grasp that concept.

I grasp the concept, but without the original numbers the percentage is based on, it's completely useless. It's statistical masturbation. Chewing gum math.

"I have bought 100% more Wii games in the past 30 days over the last month, whereas my Xbox 360 game purchases have remained static in the same period." (This is completely true and not just an example.) If you don't know what I bought last month, you have no idea what I'm talking about.

While I grasp the concept of being interested in game/console sales fluctuations, I don't understand why anyone would be interested in this report without any solid figures.

[DaXIthR]

Honestly, the Wii is going to destroy this Holiday season as long as Nintendo can unleash the stock. My guess is, magically in the next month or two, Wii's will become readily available. The manufacturing problems will cease to exist. Especially if they decide to release Wii-Fit before the holidays.

I expect someone to be stockpiling Wii systems somewhere - whether at manufacturer's warehouses or at retailer warehouses. At $250 this holiday season, I still don't expect them to be "readily available"....except maybe until 10am on shipment day.

And I don't think anyone expects WiiFit this year. The system is doing fine without it, with two top-tier first party franchise games still to come. WiiFit is going to sell to a casual market that isn't aware of the holiday rush the videogame industry has. It should be and will be held until March or April.

[Gorvi]

I don't think it's any kind of loyalty to Sony. I think it's some kind of loyalty to good cheap consoles with lots of games. I can't speak for everyone, but I honestly think the 360 is this gen's PS2. It came out first, it's cheaper, and it has more games (and it's got lots of hardware problems :P).
The only problem with that is it's going to have a hard time getting those niche Japanese games, which is really what a lot of us (well, me anyway) liked so much about the PS2.

[TheFlyingOrc]

The only problem with that is it's going to have a hard time getting those niche Japanese games, which is really what a lot of us (well, me anyway) liked so much about the PS2.
:mad:Says the guy who didn't play Katamari.:mad:

edit: Also, those games are on the DS now.

[Atorak]

Halo 2 sold 2.4 million copies in the first 24 hours, to the tune of $125 million. They've also sold more than 8 million copies to date. Granted, Mario is a huge game, but if the increase in sales from Halo 1 to Halo 2 is any indication of Halo 3's sales (which most "experts" would agree with), you're looking at millions of copies sold within the first week, with several months left in the holiday buying period. Sorry, but I don't see that many people running out to buy a copy of Super Mario Galaxy that quickly.

Halo 3 is a bona fide system seller. A price decrease, coupled with a massive triple AAA title in a few weeks will ensure Microsoft will have the highest selling game this holiday. I wouldn't be surprised if they surpassed their own console sales estimates, either.

[Gorvi]

:mad:Says the guy who didn't play Katamari.:mad:

edit: Also, those games are on the DS now.
Well, they're on the DS, PSP, and PS2 still for now. It'll be interesting to see what home console they end up on.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Halo 2 sold 2.4 million copies in the first 24 hours, to the tune of $125 million. They've also sold more than 8 million copies to date. Granted, Mario is a huge game, but if the increase in sales from Halo 1 to Halo 2 is any indication of Halo 3's sales (which most "experts" would agree with), you're looking at millions of copies sold within the first week, with several months left in the holiday buying period. Sorry, but I don't see that many people running out to buy a copy of Super Mario Galaxy that quickly. Really? What experts are those?

Now, in North America, no question, but you're discounting Japan there, buddy.

[Gorvi]

Halo 2 sold 2.4 million copies in the first 24 hours, to the tune of $125 million. They've also sold more than 8 million copies to date. Granted, Mario is a huge game, but if the increase in sales from Halo 1 to Halo 2 is any indication of Halo 3's sales (which most "experts" would agree with), you're looking at millions of copies sold within the first week, with several months left in the holiday buying period. Sorry, but I don't see that many people running out to buy a copy of Super Mario Galaxy that quickly.

Halo 3 is a bona fide system seller. A price decrease, coupled with a massive triple AAA title in a few weeks will ensure Microsoft will have the highest selling game this holiday. I wouldn't be surprised if they surpassed their own console sales estimates, either.
You're forgetting 2 things.

1) There were twice as many XBOXs out there as there are currently 360s.
2) There's an entire region of the world that will not care one bit about Halo, while Mario Galaxy will sell pretty much everywhere.

[trip1eX]

And by massive, I mean 260% massive! GamesIndustry.biz (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=28467) has the details:


I can only imagine this surge will continue right up until Christmas (and perhaps beyond), especially given the quality of the 360's holiday lineup.

Is it too early to say that the 360 has the holiday season all sewn up?

Put the crackpipe down.

[TheFlyingOrc]

You're forgetting 2 things.

1) There were twice as many XBOXs out there as there are currently 360s.


I checked. He is correct, there were AT LEAST 70% more XBOXs out when Halo 2 was released.

[silv]

I grasp the concept, but without the original numbers the percentage is based on, it's completely useless. It's statistical masturbation. Chewing gum math.

"I have bought 100% more Wii games in the past 30 days over the last month, whereas my Xbox 360 game purchases have remained static in the same period." (This is completely true and not just an example.) If you don't know what I bought last month, you have no idea what I'm talking about.

While I grasp the concept of being interested in game/console sales fluctuations, I don't understand why anyone would be interested in this report without any solid figures.

Except we do know the baseline numbers. You just need to go to a different site to find them. It's not like its hard to find weekly sales data for the UK.

[Kamalot]

How many original Xboxes were out there when Halo 1 was released?

Halo is a system seller. Halo 3 won't sell as well as Halo 2 did, but it WILL move a LOT of systems.

[Laughing_Penguin]

Nobody buys a machine to wait for upcoming titles.


I can't believe noone has jumped on this comment yet... I've really come to expect more from these forums, especially when such perfect flamebait is being offered. Oh, well... :D

[Gorvi]

How many original Xboxes were out there when Halo 1 was released?

Halo is a system seller. Halo 3 won't sell as well as Halo 2 did, but it WILL move a LOT of systems.
That depends on what you mean by "a lot". Halo is really preaching to the 360 choir, so to speak. I could see the game jumping sales over the 300k mark for September and maybe October, but it won't beat the Wii's numbers for either month. I'd take that bet any day.

[Telefrog]

Except we do know the baseline numbers. You just need to go to a different site to find them. It's not like its hard to find weekly sales data for the UK.

By all means educate us.

[Zanzibar]

Halo 3 is a bona fide system seller. A price decrease, coupled with a massive triple AAA title in a few weeks will ensure Microsoft will have the highest selling game this holiday. I wouldn't be surprised if they surpassed their own console sales estimates, either.
'Triple AAA'? Does that make it 'AAAAAAAAA'?

/ducks

[Mantooth]

I don't think it is that clear cut that Mario Galaxy will be the #1 Holiday seller. All of those Moms, Grandmas, and casual gamers that bought a Wii are not going to buy something as "complex" as a 3D platformer.

[Wolvie]

I bet this trend will be the same in north America as we get closer to Halo 3. All the Halo heads that have been playing Halo 2 non stop for three years, will come up for air just long enough to nab a 360 and a copy of Halo 3 and crawl back under their rocks.

BTW: I agree with anyone who thinks the 360 is this generations PS2. That is to say, the cheap system that has a ton of good games. Of course Japan will continue to be xenophobic and place all their precious RPG's on a Japanese console, which will be the one that wins over there since they hate anything new. Silly Japanese, stuck in a genre time warp.

[bapenguin]

VGChartz has 360 sitting @ 15k for week ending Sep2, and PS3 @ 5K. This is all for the UK.

I think last months NPD numbers proved that VGChart's margin of error is quite a bit higher than expected. That is of course, assuming, that NPDs margin of error is ok. :)

[Gorvi]

I think last months NPD numbers proved that VGChart's margin of error is quite a bit higher than expected. That is of course, assuming, that NPDs margin of error is ok. :)
Oh, come on now, you're just biased against coin flipping! ;)

[Rain Dogs]

I think this is the power of the price drop more than Halo 3, but Halo certainly can't hurt. Didn't PS3 see an even bigger increase in sales when they dropped the price?

[fatefodder]

When the 360 gets a more substantial price drop, then we'll see about it being the next PLAYSTATION 2. That is, when it drops to $249.99 or lower, and its software library is still well-supported by third-party developers, then we may be able to see the signs of less tenuous reign in the system. If it's out of hit titles by that time, then the story will be a much different one. A lot of this hinges on the success of the console next year, after Halo 3 and Mass Effect. Will the 360 be able to retain much of the momentum gained from September 25 onwards, and how well will it fare with pushing past the 20 million user base bar?

Perhaps TGS2007 will be a hint into that...

[bapenguin]

How many original Xboxes were out there when Halo 1 was released?

Halo is a system seller. Halo 3 won't sell as well as Halo 2 did, but it WILL move a LOT of systems.

I dug these numbers up not too long ago for a similar discussion. Halo launched with the original Xbox, so there were 0 Xboxes Available at launch. I couldn't find specific numbers for the first month only, but in 4 months the Xbox sold about 1.8 million in NA.

For Halo 2, the Xbox had an install base of around 20 million (world wide) at the time. Currently the install base is about 25 million.

So for the Halo 3 launch you have an install base a bit more than half of that (11-12million), of when Halo 2 launched.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I think last months NPD numbers proved that VGChart's margin of error is quite a bit higher than expected. That is of course, assuming, that NPDs margin of error is ok. :)
But it wasn't 50% or anything. The 360 is definitely getting whooped.

[vash]

concerning halo 3 being a big incentive to buy a xbox, i will get flamed for sure ^^, but what is the big attraction? i am pretty underwhlemed by it
its a standard shooter (a shooter on a console :P) but set in the halo universe, sure fans of it will buy the new iteration if they already own a xbox, but i dont see many people running to the stores getting a console specifically for this game.
an argument could be made getting a xbox because of the fall line up, also halo, but i personally would be more interested in games like assasins creed or bioshock

[fatefodder]

concerning halo 3 being a big incentive to buy a xbox, i will get flamed for sure ^^, but what is the big attraction? i am pretty underwhlemed by it
its a standard shooter (a shooter on a console :P) but set in the halo universe, sure fans of it will buy the new iteration if they already own a xbox, but i dont see many people running to the stores getting a console specifically for this game.
an argument could be made getting a xbox because of the fall line up, also halo, but i personally would be more interested in games like assasins creed or bioshock

At this point, I think Halo 3's main appeal is simply finishing the story. I don't think it'll be as inviting as Halo 2, which introduced a suite of Live functionality (which is often still considered the bar for how online matchmaking should be implemented).

There are a few new features--four-player co-op, replays, and a sort of game editor called the Forge--but yeah, these are kind of peripheral to the long-term appeal of the game, which is as the next-gen finale to the series.

[Kamalot]

Was 4-player online co-op ever officially announced?

[CptTripps]

Maybe it's time to stop grouping the Wii with the 360 and PS3 because its so different, or just declare the Wii the 'winner' of this generation. (This from a total xbox fanboy.)

Hahahaha *deep breath* hahahaha.

The Wii is doing fantastic and I salute the big N for that, they are coming back around and I'm happy for them, but; to declare them the winner is ridiculous. There is no winner between two consoles that are not even in the same race.

but i dont see many people running to the stores getting a console specifically for this game.

I can say with almost absolute certainty that you should probably get your eyes checked, because it is already happening.

[Gorvi]

Was 4-player online co-op ever officially announced?
About 3 weeks ago, yeah.

[lockwoodx]

Halo 3 is a bona fide system seller. A price decrease, coupled with a massive triple AAA title in a few weeks will ensure Microsoft will have the highest selling game this holiday. I wouldn't be surprised if they surpassed their own console sales estimates, either.

Halo 3 still won't convince me to invest in that buggy overheating piece of junk from Mexico they call an Xbox360. I'm sticking with my PC this generation, and a Wii once I can find one.

[Kamalot]

About 3 weeks ago, yeah.

Cool! That was one feature I was REALLY looking forward to. Glad they managed to pull it off.

I was also out of the country 3 weeks ago. :D

[Gorvi]

Cool! That was one feature I was REALLY looking forward to. Glad they managed to pull it off.

I was also out of the country 3 weeks ago. :D
Bah, that's no excuse. How could you not keep up with the news. Turn in your controllers. :p

[Zanzibar]

Was 4-player online co-op ever officially announced?

Yes, you can also do System Link co-op with 4 players, but maximum 2 players per screen, so no single-X360 4-player co-op.

[Telefrog]

Yes, you can also do System Link co-op with 4 players, but maximum 2 players per screen, so no single-X360 4-player co-op.

Which is fine because I'd hate to try watch four campaign screens crammed onto one TV.

[Kamalot]

Which is fine because I'd hate to try watch four campaign screens crammed onto one TV.

While not ideal, playing 4-players on 1 HD-screen isn't as bad as it sounds. If you take a 720p screen and divide it into quarters, you get each quarter with a resolution of 640 x 360. That's only a little less than a 640 x 480 image that the original Xbox put out.

In the age of HD and giant screens, split-screen multiplayer should be more welcome than ever.

[DaXIthR]

While not ideal, playing 4-players on 1 HD-screen isn't as bad as it sounds. If you take a 720p screen and divide it into quarters, you get each quarter with a resolution of 640 x 360. That's only a little less than a 640 x 480 image that the original Xbox put out.

In the age of HD and giant screens, split-screen multiplayer should be more welcome than ever.

Truth. There's no reason to not have 4-player split-screen everything. I think it's going to become a tremendous selling point all over again.

[Swiper]

That depends on what you mean by "a lot". Halo is really preaching to the 360 choir, so to speak. I could see the game jumping sales over the 300k mark for September and maybe October, but it won't beat the Wii's numbers for either month. I'd take that bet any day.


Really? Are you talking about North America or World Wide? I don't know of a reliable way to get world-wide console sales, but if you want to make a bet using NPD numbers, I'd be willing to bet.

Just to be clear, you want to make a bet that more Wii consoles will be sold than 360 consoles in BOTH September and October, right?

[Zanzibar]

Really? Are you talking about North America or World Wide? I don't know of a reliable way to get world-wide console sales, but if you want to make a bet using NPD numbers, I'd be willing to bet.

Just to be clear, you want to make a bet that more Wii consoles will be sold than 360 consoles in BOTH September and October, right?

I want in on this bet. Half of all the online Halo 2 players are still playing it on their original Xboxes.

[TeeCakes]

Really? Are you talking about North America or World Wide? I don't know of a reliable way to get world-wide console sales, but if you want to make a bet using NPD numbers, I'd be willing to bet.

Just to be clear, you want to make a bet that more Wii consoles will be sold than 360 consoles in BOTH September and October, right?

Really? Didn't you get the memo?

BioShock < Metroid Prime 3

And let's keep in mind that BioShock was universally over-rated, by like everybody's mom.

So saying...

Halo 3 < Smash Bros. Brawl, IMHO. Microsoft's gonna hafta be happy being the second best in every video gaming generation, seems like.

[NeoSuplex]

Was 4-player online co-op ever officially announced?

Oh yeah. HELL yeah. Yes.

In fact, Bungie just hired a guy? That was his only job.

[boneyardweller89]

At this rate, MS will set the world on fire... with faulty hardware!

...I still love my 360 though.

[Johan]

The easy/lazy response: I could have sworn this would have been related to replacing dead 360s...I've had two die myself.

[Rotting]

That depends on what you mean by "a lot". Halo is really preaching to the 360 choir, so to speak. I could see the game jumping sales over the 300k mark for September and maybe October, but it won't beat the Wii's numbers for either month. I'd take that bet any day.

I believe Gott would take you up on that bet:

I'm going on record to predict that in September or October the 360 beats out the Wii in total monthly console sales.

Source (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34167&page=3)

[JimmyDanger]

Really? Didn't you get the memo?

BioShock < Metroid Prime 3



Run for the hills!

Bioshock = 3 day wait for PAL release.

Metroid Prime = 3 month wait for PAL release.

I'd compare Super Paper Mario to Blue Dragon - but that isn't released over here yet either.

Maybe the UK collectively decided not to put up with Nintendo and Sony's PAL delay bullshit....

(looking for an excuse to vent - by the time MP3 is released in PAL - November - I'll be into Rock Band, Pro Evo 2008, DW Gundam and about 6 other titles I'm waiting for...

[Shadowstorm]

Well with Halo 3, Assassins Creed and Mass effect all due its certainly is a good time to be a 360 gamer.

Don't forget CoD4.

[KoenigMKII]

Question:
Won't a fall in Halo 2 play on XBL [by original Xbox owners] after September 25th indicate how many of them went out and bought a 360 + Halo3?

Beats waiting 4 weeks for NPD?

[Kelegacy]

Don't forget CoD4.

Or Eternal Sonata. Lost Odyssey.

Hey, I didn't buy the 360 for a RPG machine, but it's nice to see some pop up.

[Murph the Surf]

Does it really matter? Some people enjoy puzzle games, sports, some like FPS's, others want a good MMORPG. Console gaming as a whole is the issue, and it is good to see advancement and competition. We all win in the end with better games to waste our time. ;):D



Wii's suck...

[MrE]

CoD4 and the NHL franchise. Sigh, yes I am a sucker and buy the new releases of the same damn game. But on the bright side, my 360 hasn't died yet. :)

As far as it mattering who wins, nope. Competition is good even though the Wii is kicking everyones butt right now.

[bean19]

Halo 3 is going to blow the majority of it's load pretty early. Galaxy comes out RIGHT before the Holiday season. I can definitely see it being the #1 game.

I disagree. Though the Wii has as large an install base as the 360 (despite the 360's year lead), there are a lot of casual gamers that bought the Wii that won't spend money on Mario Galaxy.

It may be close, but look at a legacy title like Metroid Prime 3. This game is a system-selling huge-game with rave reviews and is based on a series that has delivered since our childhoods. It sold 315K in it's first week vs. Bioshock (a new IP based on a cult favorite but fairly unknown PC game, though one that got well-deserved spectacular reviews) that sold 408K in it's first week and then ~150K in it's second week of release.

It might be close. Mario Galaxy will sell like crack, but I honestly don't think it will even be close. My prediction is that Halo 3 will outsell Mario Galaxy by more than a million copies by the end of the holiday season.

[JimmyDanger]

It might be close. Mario Galaxy will sell like crack, but I honestly don't think it will even be close. My prediction is that Halo 3 will outsell Mario Galaxy by more than a million copies by the end of the holiday season.

I think that is a fair assumption to make. Halo 2 sold more than 2 million copies more than Mario Sunshine. Bioshock ( a new, unestablished - but admittedly favourably previewed IP) sold %25 more than Metroid 3 (one of Nintendo's 4 "IP big guns" - Zelda, Pokemon, Mario, Metroid - apparently the best in it's series for 13 years) in it's first week. Gears Of War (new IP) has sold almost a million more than Zelda TP (firmly established popular IP).

I will be buying Smash, SMG, and MP3 (in November when it PAL releases at least - and probly Super Paper Mario in Sep) - but I'm not kidding myself that anything Wii (with the possible exception of the WiiPlay controller pack-in game, or Wii Sports if we're counting every Wii sold as a sale for that title) will outsell Halo 3. (which is hardly my most looked forward to game, but I am looking forward to it).

I can find hardly any statistical (if vgchartz counts as that) information to support any other outcome. If anyone can - please share - I'm always happy to rethink.

[hainrs]

So we're celebrating a 260% rise from what exactly? 100 consoles per week? 10 million? This report is almost useless besides allowing fanboys a way to toot their horns.

The console is selling thousands of units per week and is already in millions of homes. Don't be an imbecile.