Microsoft announced today (via press release) that their killer app for the 2006 holiday season, Gears of War, has now sold an impressive 3 million copies. That's 3 million in just 10 weeks on store shelves. That number, Microsoft claims, makes Gears the best-selling game across all platforms during December.
“Gears of War” has gone triple platinum, reaching the 3 million-units-sold milestone in just 10 weeks on store shelves, ending 2006 as the top-selling game among all platforms during December.
Expanding on its reign as the fastest-selling title of 2006 and the fastest-selling original exclusive Xbox game of all time, “Gears of War” has captivated gamers across the globe with its action-packed single-player campaign, thrilling online modes and recently released multiplayer maps, Raven Down and Old Bones. Since the downloadable content’s release via Xbox Live Marketplace less than two weeks ago, the new maps have garnered an astounding 750,000 downloads. There have been more than 1.5 million total downloads of all “Gears of War” content currently available via Marketplace, including the maps, themes and video walkthrough, by gamers who can’t get enough of Delta Squad and the Locust Horde.
Bravo Cliffy B and crew, your success has matched the hype. Full release after the jump.
“Gears of War” Juggernaut Continues With More Than 3 Million Units Sold
Top-selling game of December sees more than 750,000 downloads of its exciting new multiplayer maps.
“Gears of War®” has gone triple platinum, reaching the 3 million-units-sold milestone in just 10 weeks on store shelves, ending 2006 as the top-selling game among all platforms during December.
Expanding on its reign as the fastest-selling title of 2006 and the fastest-selling original exclusive Xbox® game of all time, “Gears of War” has captivated gamers across the globe with its action-packed single-player campaign, thrilling online modes and recently released multiplayer maps, Raven Down and Old Bones. Since the downloadable content’s release via Xbox Live® Marketplace less than two weeks ago, the new maps have garnered an astounding 750,000 downloads. There have been more than 1.5 million total downloads of all “Gears of War” content currently available via Marketplace, including the maps, themes and video walkthrough, by gamers who can’t get enough of Delta Squad and the Locust Horde.
“Like blockbuster titles from Microsoft's ‘Halo®’ franchise and the ‘Grand Theft Auto’ and ‘Zelda’ franchises, ‘Gears of War’ is tracking to be one of the best-selling video games of all time and has established itself as the most successful new IP of the next generation,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of Global Marketing, Interactive Entertainment Business Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft Corp.
“Gears of War” continues to wow consumers and critics alike, garnering more than 20 nominations for game of the year. The game is a truly global phenomenon: prestigious Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu recently gave “Gears of War” the coveted Platinum award; “Gears of War” joins “Blue Dragon” as the second Microsoft Game Studios title in the past two months to receive this high honor.
Not just a gaming sensation, the acclaimed “Gears of War: Mad World” cinematic trailer was featured in Advertising Age’s Book of Tens as one of the top creative concepts of 2006. With more than 2.4 million views of the trailer online, the campaign has inspired not only tremendous sales, but also a number of hilarious parody videos currently circulating around the Internet.
now is this 3 million bought by the stores to sell to us?
or is this 3 million in the consumers hands?
and yeah raymond how many of those 3 million are already back in the used section.lol
Even if some of them are sold back to the game shops (which probably isn't a huge percentage considering how many people downloaded the maps and still play online), MS gets it's money the first time around. Also, since most game stores charge maybe $3 less for a used copy of extremely popular games, I'd think a lot of people (myself included) would rather pay the extra pocket change to get a brand new unopened copy.
You can't argue with these numbers. This thing is a huge success. Hats off to Epic and MS.
And who cares if the games are on the "pre-owned" shelf? (Ok, maybe MS and Epic) :)
But seriously, thats just more people getting their hands on this game for a cheaper price. More exposure = even better sales potential on the sequel. Plus, cheap and used games drive console sales which is beneficial in the long run.
And, as for used games being $3 cheaper, you may be right, you and I would pay the $3 for a new copy, but apparently not everyone agrees because gamestop is doing pretty good business these days, mostly off of used sales as I understand it. Whether it's $3 less than new or $5, I would bet gamestop has done their research and they know the sweet spot to get people to buy used at a rate they find desirable. Also, anyone with a gaming fetish should have the gamestop card so you get 10 percent off used games which takes another $3 off $30 titles. Not too shabby I say. No, buying used games can make sense as long as the game is not still pretty new. It's the trade in where they really jam you.
Hey Raymod not to many im sure GOW is a killer killer game i dont care what anyone says ill never trade it in. And for what they give you for it which is crap at EB etc people shouldnt wanna trade it in, yea the single players isnt 30 hours but its fun with 3 diff modes and the online is the best.
I had an Xbox (sold it for like 80 bucks) and that thing collected lots of dust and that was the only point that kept me from buying a 360 (aside from everybody talking shit about the PS3) but Yeah I just fell to the hype and yeah I bought the 360 for this game and yeah its awesome and yeah I beat it like 3 times now and yeah I play it a lot online... but I doubt this will get me interested for more than 2 months now so... until GoW 2 (yeah they will make a trilogy or so said an SCEE VP) but... What more is on the 360 is worth crap?
I mean I have downloaded a butt-load of demos and quite frankly they pretty much suck ass... Halo 3 yeah Ill get it but... Hmmm... Lost Planet? Yeah that too is OK...
But what else? MGS4 was rumored on the 360 an analist said: "Its not only technically possible but financialy feasable"... but still a rumor... I dunno 2007 its gonna be quite a year in the games industry and I hope I dont have to sell the 360 for 80 bucks too.
are you forgetting outstanding games such as oblivion, GRAW, GRAW2, COD2/3, and if you're not into the shooting/fps there's guitar hero 2 which will have downloadable content the first day it comes out. of course we also get saints row. PLUS all the titles you just named are far more than average. and there's tons of games to download, classix...gemoetry wars. i think the 360 should be well worth your money.
Hey AarrozConCarne you said what more is on the the 360 that is worth a crap?
1.) Oblivion
2.) Dead Rising,
3.) Viva Pinata
4.) Enchanted Arms
prolly some more could be added to that list that are currently out. Not to mention Assasians Creed, and Bio Shock coming out here soon.
Has anyone seen Stay Alive the unoriginal teen horror flick, the gaming technical adviser was CliffyB. if I had seen that before I bought GoW I might have skipped it.If you saw it you noticed some technical booboo's that just kind kill any aspect of credibility from gamers.
Its so funny to read the fanboys of PS3 say "how when better games come out everyone will see" .. So far three major developers have publicly said this thing isn't fun to make games for. On top of that Sony has avoided comparing the Nvidia video card inside of the PS3 to the 360 because it doesnt have good memory bandwidth. G4 showed two games - one of them being Tony Hawk Pro Skater - on the PS3 and it choked in intense areas compared to the 360.. Gamestop ( maybe IGN ) showed Call of Duty 3 choking in intense areas.. People dont undertand if the Cell processor really is that good it won't matter if the video card can't handle whats being sent from the Cell ! ANother big thing.. How good the PS3 is or isn't .. Isn't really the question. Its the 600 dollar price of entry. FOr 600 dollars it could be argued that it is indeed a good value.. but Most people just don't want to drop 600 dollars.. and HD-DVD is selling much better at stores.. I have a friend who works at Best Buy.. Another at Target.. bit have said HD-DVD movies come off the shelf 3 times faster! This doesnt help Blu ray or PS3 sales at all !
People need to consider this. Games developers WILL NOT develop uber games for the PS3 if they feel they won't get their money back. SOny needs to SELL TONS of these things if they hope to be around or developers will be backing off like they already are. Do PS3 people not get reality ? Do they think the makers of Assasins Creed and Unreal Tournament 2007 just decided on a whim to also be on 360 ? No.. they understand they won't make their money back.
PS3 was practically in development at the same time as 360.. Developers have had working versions of PS3 as long as the 360. People think because PS3 was delayed ONE YEAR that its behond in this sense. Its not ! Devs had had PS3 just a slong and still they don't have any good games because its not friendly to DEVS..
Look at PS2.. selling WELL !! 129 dollars.. thats why !
Oh.. and also because PS2 was ONLY released in CHINA two years ago !! Soon 360 will release there.. they are working with the Chinese Govt now on it..
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5:19 PM on 01.19.2007 
