Halo: Reach has generated more than $200m in sales in the US and Europe within 24 hours of its release.
This makes Halo: Reach the biggest entertainment launch of 2010, eclipsing the three-day opening weekends of Hollywood blockbusters such as Toy Story 3, Iron Man 2 and Alice in Wonderland in a single day.
“Halo: Reach is the biggest game Microsoft has ever released, and its launch has already surpassed every game, movie and entertainment launch this year,” said Phil Spencer, corporate vice-president of Microsoft Game Studios.
“Every major instalment has grown in scope and popularity, firmly cementing the Halo franchise as one of the most popular entertainment properties in the world over the past decade.”
Halo: Reach adds to the Halo mythology, telling the heroic tale of Noble Team, a group of Spartan III Warriors who, through sacrifice and courage, save countless lives against all odds on planet Reach – humanity’s last line of defence against the encroaching Covenant force, whose ultimate goal is the destruction of Earth.
Worldwide, tens of thousands of stores opened at midnight on Monday to celebrate its arrival. Cities such as London, New York and Seattle saw Microsoft and retailers host marquee events, where thousands of fans gathered to compete in tournaments.
Ireland saw 64 stores open at midnight, including 52 Xtravision and 12 GameStop stores. An event was held in Dublin to compete against the Celebrity Halo: Reach Elite Spartan Squad, which was comprised of the star of HBO’s The Wire and BBC’s Luther, Idris Elba, Irish rugby player Jamie Heaslip, RTE TV presenter Baz Ashmawy and 98FM DJ Steven Cooper.
