Microsoft is in a champagne popping kind of mood. Just in the first 24 hours of becoming available, Halo 4 had earned a staggering $220 million globally. Microsoft believes sales figures will climb even higher, reaching $300 million by tomorrow.
To date, the company estimates the Halo franchise has earned amounts just shy of $3.4 billion, making it one of the more lucrative videogame series in recent history. Not bad considering it's only been on two consoles to date.
Promised to be the beginning of a new "Reclaimer" trilogy, a press release noted that Halo 4 eclipsed "the biggest movie launch in U.S. box office history," taking over both "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," as well as "The Avengers" on its track to reach over $300 million in global sales in the first week The lesson learned? Space war = big bucks, unless the name "John Carter" is in the title.
And this is before any DLC has been released.
"We're thrilled that 'Halo 4' has emerged as the biggest U.S. entertainment launch of the year," said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Studios. "Thanks to the millions of fans worldwide who helped make this another record-breaking launch for the 'Halo' franchise, 'Halo 4' is kicking off a strong holiday season and has become the must-have blockbuster experience of the year."
The press release further described the various Halo 4 merchandise players can pick up.
The standard edition of "Halo 4" will be available for $59.99 (U.S. ERP 3), and the Limited Edition, which includes an extended 90-minute version of the live-action digital series "Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" and additional bonus content, will be available for $99.99 (U.S. ERP). Fans can also pick up the Xbox 360 Limited Edition "Halo 4" Console Bundle for $399.99 (U.S. ERP) and a standalone Xbox 360 Limited Edition "Halo 4" Wireless Controller for $59.99 (U.S. ERP). In addition, players can purchase the "Halo 4" War Games Map Pass for $24.99 USD (2,000 Microsoft Points), which provides access to three upcoming War Games map packs as they become available in December, February and April, and represents a savings of more than 15 percent versus purchasing the packs individually.
If you're one of the remaining few who hasn't made their mind up about 343's latest gaming blockbuster, read our review here and decide for yourself.
Halo 4 is out now for Xbox 360.