[Thorn]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6456214/

'Halo 2' reports $125 million in first-day sales
Record amount exceeds even internal estimates
   
The Associated Press
Updated: 8:51 p.m. ET Nov. 10, 2004

SEATTLE - "Halo 2," the much-hyped video game for Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox video game console, had sales of $125 million in just 24 hours on the market, the company said Wednesday.

The figures for the United States and Canada, which represented sales of 2.38 million units, easily exceeded Microsoft's prediction that it would top $100 million in sales.

If independent sales figures show that Microsoft topped or exceeded $125 million in sales, then "Halo 2" would definitely count among the top five best-selling games in history for first-day sales, said David Riley, senior manager with The NPD Group.

But in a year which expects to see many big game debuts, he cautioned that it's too early to know who will eventually claim the most sales in a 24-hour period.

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For video gamers, a delightful dilemma

In general, Riley said it's hard to get accurate data on first-day game sales, although NPD Group does provide estimates on total sales for the life of a video game.

Through September 2004, the company ranks "Super Mario 64" as the best-selling game to date with $308 million in sales since its September 1996 debut. "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City," which went on sale in October 2002, ranks second, with total sales of $284 million.

Tuesday's sales figures would put "Halo 2" on track to easily beat out the first version of "Halo." That game debuted in November of 2001 and ranked eighth with sales of $149 million through September 2004, according to NPD.

Retailers also reported a busy day. GameStop Inc., which operates 1,726 stores throughout the United States, said it sold more than 500,000 copies of "Halo 2" in the first day, substantially more than any other game on its first day of release.

[Deepblue]

Can you say, "profit."

[Taristin]

I can say "bloody good game."

[Liberator]

Does this mean we get a PC version sooner than 2006?

[Jetmech Jr.]

I dunno. The case on Halo 2 said 'Only on Xbox' and I can only assume that it means it's only on Xbox . If I got the meaning wrong, feel free to correct me, but I'm skeptical...

[Thorn]

Thats what Halo originally said on it.

[Jetmech Jr.]

Hmm, guess it means its only on Xbox atm. I feel doubtful about a PC port, though...can only hope.

[SadisticSid]

Don't see why they wouldn't considering that Halo PC was profitable and Halo 2 will sell on par with the original. The least they'll do is license it out to Gearbox again but I'm confident of an eventual release

[Killfrenzy]

Same here - Halo 2 is a very good piece of work. They've improved in many areas, with the possible exception of extensive engine tweaking.

Only on XBox? Pfft....I remember when an XBox flyer claimed that both Half Life 2 and Doom 3 were 'only on XBox.' That label is now a joke as far as I'm concerned.

Meh, Halo was originally going to be an RTS on the Mac anyway.......think how different it would have been!

[Knight Templar]

Originally posted by SadisticSid
Don't see why they wouldn't considering that Halo PC was profitable and Halo 2 will sell on par with the original. The least they'll do is license it out to Gearbox again but I'm confident of an eventual release

A-****ingmen

[Setekh]

Yeah, it'll come eventually - just a matter of time, IMHO. I just hope this makes Bungie get on the move for Halo 3.

[Killfrenzy]

Well, we'll see about that.

[Jetmech Jr.]

With the ending, it's practically a given that there will be some kinda sequel.

[Thorn]

Originally posted by SadisticSid
Don't see why they wouldn't considering that Halo PC was profitable and Halo 2 will sell on par with the original. The least they'll do is license it out to Gearbox again but I'm confident of an eventual release

I hope not. Gearbox buggered up Halo.

[MatthewPapa]

Microsoft, they will do anything to make money. I bet they will make a PC version sooner or later. They would be dumb not to because it would simply be too lucrative to also release a PC version. The pull of the money, make...its just too much!

[Blue Lion]

I remember a game, where there was an ending that left you wanting more. Something about space and getting back to Earth. It sounds really familiar.

[deep_eyes]

lol

[Mongoose]

Originally posted by Blue Lion
I remember a game, where there was an ending that left you wanting more. Something about space and getting back to Earth. It sounds really familiar.

Yeah.  I also seem to remember it being infinitely better than Halo.

[Taristin]

This from the man who's still preparing for Descent 1...

[deep_eyes]

Halo 2 went platinum!