The video game business may be stuck in a sales slump, but players still love their favorite series.
“Halo Reach,” the fourth major entry in the hugely successful science fiction action franchise, debuted Tuesday, and while direct comparisons are tough to draw, it’s clearly another big hit. Microsoft even declared it “the biggest entertainment launch of 2010.” Whatever that means.
$200 million+ First-day sales for “Halo Reach” in U.S., Europe
$170 million First-day U.S. sales for “Halo 3” in September 2007
$310 million First-day sales in U.S., Canada, Britain for “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” in November 2009 (record)
– 8% Year-to-date decline in U.S. video game sales through August
SOURCES: Microsoft Corp., Activision Blizzard Inc., NPD Group
