Halo 3 Sales Top 8 Million
Ahead of NPD data, Microsoft is claiming that Halo 3 has sold over 8 million copies so far worldwide, and the 360 console 17.7 million, according to GameDaily.
Death by intelligence.
Bungie Independence Motivated By Licensing?
Okay, here's a crazy idea.
Like more than a few people, I was puzzled by Bungie's return to independence following the release of Halo 3. It didn't seem to make much sense.
Sure, it made sense for Bungie to want more autonomy. Even the friendliest chaperon is still something one would rather do without. Why did it make sense for Microsoft, though? Why negotiate for a sweet discount with the goose who laid the golden eggs when you used to own it lock, stock and barrel?
Bungie Independence Less Shocking Than Gerstmann Firing
Falling just one spot short of GameSpot's Jeff Gerstmann getting the axe for his "tone", the story of Bungie flying the Microsoft coop makes #10 on Game Daily's list of big gaming stories in 2007:
More Than Half Of US 360 Owners Have Halo 3
It shouldn't come as much surprise, but if someone owns an Xbox 360, odds are they'll also pick up Halo 3. So far 52 percent of the US installed base owns the game, according to GameDaily BIZ.
Halo 3 Sales Top Five Million
Bungie's blockbuster Halo 3 has already sold over five million copies since its September launch. Full story from Slashdot.
Great Balls Of Fyre
This really doesn't have anything to do with Bungie or gaming, per se... but former Bungie employee Pete Parsons just received $1 million in financing for his new tech startup, Fyreball, pitched as an "alternative to email" for tracking web messages and discussions.
For the full story see the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Halo 3 Implements Realtime Waves Processing
Texas TV station KIITV has a story on the implementation of realtime signal processing by audio firm Waves in Halo 3, as mentioned by Bungie audio director Marty O'Donnell in his interview on Major Nelson's podcast last week.
The Wideload Commandments
Alex Seropian of Wideload Games delivered the keynote address at GarageGames' IndieGamesCon conference. GamaSutra has a summary of the content of Seropian's talk, including the Wideload Commandments.
Real Halo Warthog
Not sure if this has already been posted (and if it has been sorry) but I just found this today. It's a test drive of a real warthog. I'm not really sure what they did but it's awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3RnSCS4bh4&mode=related&search=
Move Along, Nothing To See Here
Frankie does a good impression of Officer Barbrady while talking to Game Informer about the Microsoft-Bungie split:
GI: Are you at all surprised by the response to this?
Recovered Independence To Reinvigorate Bungie
1Up interviews Bungie's Brian "SketchFactor" Jarrard about the Bungie-Microsoft split. So far everyone who has spoken to the press is still on the same page; that this was a mutually beneficial deal, quickly and amicably agreed upon. Despite 1Up trying to press and find some conflict, no one will admit to any, even theoretical:
Bungie Breakaway News Continues
More updates on Bungie's amazing flight into freedom:
FiringSquad interviewed Frankie, but all they give you is a summary. It does say that Harold Ryan is now President of Bungie. He mentions a skunk works for new projects. Wonder if that's where Jason Jones is spending his time, given that his only credit in Halo 3 was under "special thanks".
Microsoft Owns Halo, No Outside Investors In Bungie
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer has an updated story on the to-all-visible-appearances amicable Microsoft-Bungie split, including comments from Bungie studio head Harold Ryan and Microsoft's Shane Kim.
Halo 3 Ships
Halo 3 ships in North America and does $170 million in sales its first day, smashing single-day entertainment industry figures, on the way to $300 million its first week and doubling the weekly sales of the Xbox 360 console.
event start:
09/25/2007
Halo 3 Ships
Halo 3 ships in North America and does $170 million in sales its first day, smashing single-day entertainment industry figures, on the way to $300 million its first week and doubling the weekly sales of the Xbox 360 console.
event start:
09/25/2007