'Halo 2' clears record $125 million in first day

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Yes, "small" is the right word...

The installed base of X-Box users is much smaller than the installed base of PS2 users-- so the word "small" is appropriate. (In fact, I used "relatively small" in my original post, to imply that the comparison is with PS2 standards.)

Of course 2.5 million copies is a large number-- in absolute terms-- and it is a good number when general software sales are considered. But it isn't all that impressive compared with other blockbuster titles.

For example, I don't like the Grand Theft Auto series, but GTA: Vice City has sold 12 million copies throughout its lifetime, and GTA: San Andreas is critically acclaimed and is expected to sell even more copies. But the installed base of X-Box owners is estimated to be only around 15 million units at mid year [gamesindustry.biz]-- and as good as Halo 2 is, I do not believe it has such wide appeal to sell to 80% of its user base. (Lots of people like X-Box games, but perhaps not first person shooters, for example.) So while 1.5 million is a good start, I highly doubt that the overall sales will be nearly as impressive as other big titles. The way to increase numbers beyond this is to increase the user base-- which Halo 2 can do if it is good enough.

Last year's NPD statistics doesn't even list any X-Box titles in the top ten most software units sold, even while some Gamecube titles were listed. This doesn't mean that Halo 2 won't appear on the top ten this year, but it does show that X-Box has a long, long way to go before a reasonable observer can declare success.

http://www.npdfunworld.com/funServlet?nextpage=trend_body.html&content_id=780

"Success" is not one glorious title, but consistent performance near or at the top over a some period of time. Microsoft needs the Halo 2's to build success, and I do Microsoft has the ability to get there. But right now, Microsoft is not there yet, not by a long shot. "Halo" simply isn't as big as "Final Fantasy" yet, even while some say Final Fantasy is on the decline, or "Mario", or "Zelda".

Cheers!

Posted by: Root User   Posted on: 11/11/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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