Microsoft today revealed that more than five million copies of Xbox game Halo 2 have been sold worldwide since its launch in November.
The company also revealed that cumulative sales from the overall Halo franchise, including the first game, Combat Evolved, Halo 2 and Halo for Windows, reached 11 million units in total. The game franchise has also enjoyed considerable success online. The global Xbox Live community has logged a record-setting 28 million hours playing Halo 2, which is more than any other Xbox Live game in the history of the global service.
The instant action and immersive gameplay in Halo 2 propelled gamers to play online for an average of 91 minutes per session, approximately the same length as a major motion picture.
Out of a universe of more than one million Xbox Live members, Halo 2 on Xbox Live has already attracted more than 900,000 unique users, the company said. When the Halo 2 game was launched in November, it grossed more than US$125m within its first 24 hours.
As a result, the game has now been described as more than a game, but a popular culture phenomenon. It is estimated that Halo 2has generated more money on day one than any of the biggest movies in box office history, including Spider-Man 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Matrix Reloaded.
By John Kennedy
