AfterDawn: News

Halo 3 sets record with 1.5 million US pre-orders

With the game ready to launch tonight, Microsoft has announced that it has already sold more than 1.5 million copies of Halo 3 in the US making it the fastest game to hit the milestone.

"The excitement and demand for Halo 3 has transcended a typical video game release and we’re preparing dedicated registers for its midnight release in our 24-hour stores," said Darin Dickson, video game merchandise buyer, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. "It’s clear that this is one of the most anticipated games of the year and that 12:01 am Sept. 25 will be a memorable moment for thousands of gamers."

There will be up to 10,000 US retailers open tonight at midnight, with a few even having special events.

"Our customers have been waiting for Halo 3 since the day after Halo 2 launched in 2004," said Jill Hamburger, vice president of movies and games at Best Buy. "Halo 3 is going to bring the experience to new levels, and we are excited to help our customers get the best possible game playing experience."



Halo 3 surpasses Halo 2 as the fastest pre-selling game in history and the game is expected to be released in 37 countries and in 17 different languages.

Source:
GI.biz

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 24 Sep 2007 19:13

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• 20 comments

• JorDogg

  meh, iv had enough of laser guns already!

  24.9.2007 19:29 #1

• Pop_Smith

  Now Microsoft can't blame piracy of the game for a loss of sales.
  
  It was reported here on August 9th that pre-sales hit 1 million. It took the game just another month and a half to hit 1.5 million. Sure it was released early but, from what I can tell, it looks as if that was due to the "accidental" early sale of it.
  
  Here's a tip for everyone:
  
  Wait until after work tomorrow to get your copy! I did this with Halo 2 after I saw the line however, my friend waited 3 hours after they opened the door. I went in after school and picked it up in five minutes, no lines, no people, no fuss. :-)
  
  Peace

  24.9.2007 19:39 #2

• rvlikens

  Yeah.. but that kind of logic doesn't flow freely from the morons who wait days on the sidwalk for the iPhone, PS3 and these games. I learned 3 years go. PREORDER works well. No waiting in line. No unable to get it. Plus, it's worth waiting 3 days before delivery to get an extra 30 bucks off for using Amazons credit card.

  24.9.2007 22:31 #3

• Vicious88

  See what leaking your own game can do for your plublicity?

  24.9.2007 23:02 #4

• mododaz

  now there making halo 4, when will halo die

  25.9.2007 03:50 #5

• monkey83

  I thought they were stopping after Halo3? The problem with stuff like this is that once its a money maker, they want to keep milking it for all it is worth.
  
  Also the other thing that bugs me. Everyone is talking about how this is the biggest money making thing entertainment wise, and comparing it to Spiderman 3 and stuff. Its totally different. I didnt pay $60 to go see Spiderman. They're making so much money off it because the games are so expensive.

  25.9.2007 06:08 #6

• krkm120

  I think they should make a halo4 or at least continue the game some how with a new spartan in a different galaxy

  25.9.2007 07:15 #7

• ChromeMud

  Halo will die when MGS dies,ie....probably never!
  Halo3 has been positively reviewed and Bungie deserves success after all the effort they put into the game.It's the best of the series so far.
  If you hate FPS's then fair enough it will suck to you no matter what but for those who like their shooters,the 360 has one of the best FPS titles available at the moment.

  25.9.2007 07:34 #8

• emugamer

  Originally posted by Pop_Smith: Now Microsoft can't blame piracy of the game for a loss of sales. Ahh, but they probably will. They'll probablly say that it could've been twice that if it wasn't for piracy :-P

  25.9.2007 08:04 #9

• edsrouter

  Games are expensive, and they are extremely difficult to make. Anyone who has tampered with any of the "homebrew" xbox games will know these cheesy games are no match for professional titles made with the "Unreal" engine like Halo is.

  25.9.2007 08:14 #10

• Riotard

  Indeed games are rediculusly hard to make! takes 90 ppl and about 2 1/2 years to create a GOOD game! so it deserves to cost that much, besides movies are overpriced, especially with all the popcorn and drinsk u lookign to spend £20 per person in the UK, so £40 is a good deal for a game!
  
  Wow yeh i look forward to halo3 when i can play it
  
  for all who do not no, T minus 1 day 4 hours before launch in UK my 360 (launch one) is faced with the Ring Of Death! I feel like comiting suicide, hwoever M$ are good and will get it back in 20 days! Still upset about it! but all mates have 360s so i am goign each day to a different house and playign with them! XD

  25.9.2007 11:42 #11

• BIGnewb

  as one of the biggest sony fanboys i must admit that i enjoy halo 3 multiplayer.graphics are almost the same but the gameplay is nice.

  25.9.2007 16:12 #12

• oofRome

  Originally posted by BIGnewb: graphics are almost the sameas what?

  25.9.2007 19:50 #13

• saltynuts

  are you trying to halo3 looks the same as halo2 if so take your sony shades off dude and get a better look this game is flat out pretty.

  26.9.2007 11:03 #14

• chewie03

  Quote:saltynuts (Junior Member) 26 September 2007 15:03
  are you trying to halo3 looks the same as halo2 if so take your sony shades off dude and get a better look this game is flat out pretty.Or at least play it on an HDTV! Ive seen it on a reg tv and an HDTV and there is quite a difference. That game was INTENSE on a 55 inch widescreen w/ surround sound on. The gameplay was flawless but the story still sucks to me!

  26.9.2007 13:55 #15

• voyager

  Originally posted by mododaz: now there making halo 4, when will halo die
  SO true but not Halo 4:Halo Episode1,2,3;Rise of the Spartan.How the Spartans were created? What about the armies of Spartans and what really happened.
  I heard about Halo wars that xplain how this happens.

  28.9.2007 15:45 #16

• borhan9

  Well maybe now Microsoft can make some decent ground on the Wii and the PS3. We will have to wait and see.

  28.9.2007 18:22 #17

• wetsparks

  Halo makes WAY to much money for M$ to just let it die, there will be a Halo 4. Also, I believe BIGnewb was saying the graphics are the same as other 360/ps3 games, not the mind blowing graphics that were shown in the trailers of all hyped up games. I don't own a 360, won't for a while, but I just hope that they release this for pc sometime soon (and lower the price of Halo 2 while they are at it, not going to pay $50 for a 3 year old game).

  28.9.2007 22:04 #18

• ChromeMud

  The graphics of Halo3 are good ,just not as shiny as some other games but it makes up for it in physics,action on screen,draw-distance,AI,multi-player,co-op, and a reasonably good storyline.
  It's a top game and it's lived up to some of the overwhelming hype that was mounted on it's shoulders.It has silenced a lot of sceptics and has boosted the confidence of 360 owners who were dismissing the title because of the hype.
  Orange Box,COD4,Mass Effect,PGR4 and a few others will also flesh out the 360's ultimate gaming library.It may not be Japan's cup of tea but who can ignore it when it's doing so well with the games on offer.
  Another thing,why wait for the PC version?By the time it comes out on that format I'll be looking at another console purchase,either a PS3 when it's cheap or the next iteration of the Xbox.
  Cheers!

  29.9.2007 07:13 #19

• saltynuts

  Originally posted by ChromeMud: The graphics of Halo3 are good ,just not as shiny as some other games but it makes up for it in physics,action on screen,draw-distance,AI,multi-player,co-op, and a reasonably good storyline.
  It's a top game and it's lived up to some of the overwhelming hype that was mounted on it's shoulders.It has silenced a lot of sceptics and has boosted the confidence of 360 owners who were dismissing the title because of the hype.
  Orange Box,COD4,Mass Effect,PGR4 and a few others will also flesh out the 360's ultimate gaming library.It may not be Japan's cup of tea but who can ignore it when it's doing so well with the games on offer.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Well said dude.
  Another thing,why wait for the PC version?By the time it comes out on that format I'll be looking at another console purchase,either a PS3 when it's cheap or the next iteration of the Xbox.
  Cheers!

  29.9.2007 11:56 #20