Microsoft Corp’s Video Game -“Halo 3”outdid all the video games, and movies and set an opening-day U.S sales record of $170 million. “Halo 3” overcame even movies such as Spider-Man 3 -$59 million, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows', and ”Halo 2” too-$125 million, Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst, Michael Pachter estimates that 2.5 million copies were sold starting with midnight store promotions coast to coast, meaning one-fifth of all Xbox 360 owners bought a copy in the first 24 hours. "I would guess that the number is 1 million higher in a week, and double by year end."

GameStop's Bob McKenzie calls Halo 3 the biggest title in the history of the 4,400-store chain. And Best Buy's Brian Lucas says: "It's safe to say Halo 3 is on track to be probably the biggest gaming title that we have ever seen. It's definitely a phenomenon."

"Halo 3" is targeted firmly at the Xbox's core male audience, for whom realistic combat games are a staple.

Halo 3 is launched in 37 countries and is available in 17 languages. It retails for around $60.

In the last 20 hours over 1,7 million copies were pre-ordered in the US.

Posted by George S. at 9:55 AM | 1 comments  

Labels: Halo, XBox

The Guinness Book of World Records is going to list a 9 year old video game wunderkind Victor M. De Leon III as the world's youngest professional gamer.

The third grader, better known to cyber rivals and fans as Lil’ Poison, has been playing video games on the professional level since he was four.

Victor's father, Mr. De Leon, is a passionate video game player as well and so is Victor's uncle Gabriel.

A Major League Gaming Pro Circuit Event starts this Friday at the Meadowland in New Jersey. 2,500 competitors will be battling at the three-day event for titles like the titan on the Xbox game Halo 2. Prizes are up to $20,000. Victor will be among those 2,500 gamers as well.

Good luck Victor!

SOURCE: The New York Times

Posted by George S. at 9:45 AM | 0 comments  

Labels: Halo, XBox