Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

Halo 3 beats Gears of War as Xbox 360 killer app

Thursday, March 1, 2007 | 08:48 PM ET

by Saleem Khan, CBC News Online

When Microsoft Corp. launched its sophomore entry into the console video game market in 2005, the Xbox 360 lacked a must-have game that would drive sales the way the original Halo did for the original Xbox in 2001.

Many have argued that Gears of War filled that role for the Xbox 360 when the highly anticipated game hit stores in November 2006. It seems they're wrong.

There's no doubt that Microsoft sold a lot of Xbox 360s due to Gears of War, which has been a runaway hit for Microsoft and developer Epic Games.

From November through December 2006, Microsoft sold about 1.6 million Xbox 360s, bringing the total number of units sold to about 10.4 million worldwide.

In the first eight weeks following the North American Gears of War launch on Nov. 12, 2006, the world's largest software maker said it had sold 2.7 million copies of the science-fiction action shooter. Within 10 weeks, it had topped 3 million sales. Not bad.

By way of comparison, in the six weeks between the original Xbox's November 2001 launch and Christmas that year, Microsoft sold 1.5 million consoles and half of them went with copies of Halo.

But despite Gears of Wars clear conversion rate – apparently driving sales that topped the performance pair of the original Halo and Xbox – it's not the next-gen console's killer app. What is? Halo 3.

A year before it launches, Halo 3 figures more prominently in Xbox 360 buying decisions than Gears of War, according to Compete's Max Freiert.

Comparing Xbox 360 shoppers' game buy considerations at the 20 largest online retailers in the U.S., Freiert found that while a mere four per cent of them looked at Gears of War between November 2006 and January, 12 per cent – or three times as many – looked into Halo 3.

Check out the graph for a clearer picture.

The evidence is mounting: Halo 3 is the most anticipated game of the year – and possibly ever for the Xbox 360.

« Previous Post | Main | Next Post »

This discussion is now Open. Submit your Comment.

Comments

Ian Hopfe

Gears of War is a very good game and it is a must have game and all the other good games like Oblivion add to my enjoyment of the 360 but...Halo 3 is still the reason why I bought my 360...period!

Posted March 4, 2007 06:09 PM

Keaton

I think Gears overall will end up being the better game of the two. Gears brought something new to the table with it's stop and pop gameplay. Halo will just bring the same walk and shoot gameplay, with awesome multiplayer. Not to mention that it has some great competition this year with games like Metroid Prime 3, Metal Gear Solid 4, Super Smash Bros Brawl, Bioshock, Mass Effect... The list goes on.

Posted March 7, 2007 10:48 AM

Jordan

Winnipeg

Halo 3 will be like a Halo 2 expansion pack, but it will still be good.

Posted March 14, 2007 08:27 PM

Xx Third 3ye xX

Ontario

Gears is an amazing game, hands down. It's already proven itself to be the game to have. Halo 3 by all accounts, and more specifically, Master Chief, will make Marcus Pheonix look like Lance Bass. Judging by the online trailer, and the teaser in Crackdown, Xbox 360 has demonstrated that it clearly knows what the next generation gamer is craving, and is prepared to satisfy that need to the fullest.

Posted March 29, 2007 02:25 PM

Lodge

UK

I dont thing gears will have a played left once halo 3 comes... halo 2 is better than gears... graphics do not make a game...

Posted April 30, 2007 03:38 PM

Valentina

MI

Gears of War is a awesome game. And all the time im told girls cant play...well when ever i play with boys/guys after I verse them,I laugh rite in the mic. B/c i won and i told them girls can beat guys...but im about to be in a clan with my brother and his friends b/c im good enough!!!

Halo 3 is going to be the biggest and baddest game out of all halos...cant wait.

Posted May 9, 2007 08:11 PM

Chris

Home

Gears was never very good all it had was graphics game play was mediocre at best, Halo has so much new content...I've never been a big halo fan but from the looks of it I may change my mind come September.

Posted August 9, 2007 04:09 AM

Carolyn

Chris. I've never been a fan of the XBox, but when introduced to Halo I had to admit it was a pretty amazingly fun game. All things considered, I won't be buying a 360... but I will probably find a friend who has one solely to play the new Halo. I'm just too curious to leave it. :D

Posted August 9, 2007 12:08 PM

Jandurin

Carolyn is not alone in her doofdom and to be fair is not at fault for it either. MS have not marketed the Xbox product well enough to reach people so clueless.
These machines Xbox 1 and Xbox360 are head and shouders above all respective competition in almost all departments, but no one is ever told this.
No one is ever reminded that the Wii is second tier technology, a refitted Gamd Cube (literally). No one is ever reminded that the Xbox was three times as powerful as the PS2.

How can people desire a product they know nothing about?

Posted September 26, 2007 08:32 PM

Anonymous

My Personal Opinion Gears Of War Is Better Than Halo 3 . And Gears Of War 2 Will Have The Halo Series Begging 4 Mercy!!

Posted September 26, 2007 10:29 PM

Garet

Winnipeg

Jandurin, the Xbox was nowhere near 3 times as powerful as the PS2, but it was more powerful. The 360 also doesn't have the raw power the PS3 has.

The Wii is also not a refitted Gamecube. The Broadway or Hollywood or whatever chip is in the Wii is entirely new. It may have similarities to the Gamecube, but it's a new, much more powerful beast.

The Xbox, as well as the 360 are made with computer parts. As such, one could expect them to be outdated within a year.

Posted September 27, 2007 11:56 AM

Trevor Bayer

It's not fair to compare Halo 3 to Gears of war, especially since that's the first of their series. Despite being the First, Gears of war is a lot better then Halo 3. I bought halo 3 because of the hype...and I was disappointed. I am drooling for Gears of War 2

Posted October 18, 2007 08:10 PM

Garet

Winnipeg

Gears was alright. I mean, the gameplay was worse than Halo, and the whole getting stuck to walls when you don't mean to blows. It's a decent enough shooting game, if you're into mediocrity.

Posted October 19, 2007 10:52 AM

dogsushi

pacific

I GOT MY COPY OF HALO 3 ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, THEN I STARTED PLAYING IT THE SAME DAY I BOUGHT IT, AND AT ABOUT 3 TO 4 HOURS LATER, I FINISHED THE GAME--SERIOUSLY! UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT AMAZED ABOUT THE GRAPHICS(ANY DIFFERENCE AT ALL?), THE GAMEPLAY STILL THE SAME; YOU RUN AND POP...THAT'S IT! OKAY, MAYBE ADDED A FEW AND NEW WEAPONS, BUT IT JUST NOT MET MY EXPECTATIONS AT ALL! TO PUT IT BLUNTLY: IT BLOWS! TO ME, GEARS OF WAR IS STILL THE BEST SHOOTER, 'TIL THE SEQUEL COMES OUT, AND THAT WILL DETHRONE HALO 3 FROM THE TOP--OH YEAH, DUDE! GEARS OF WAR RULES, BABY!!!!

Posted October 30, 2007 03:06 AM

leslie oconnor

gears of war is the best halo 3 is rubbish
the weapons and enemies in gears are far better

Posted December 1, 2007 06:06 PM

joel

Gears of war is wack. I mean the graphics are unbelievable but online play halo 3 is WAY better than Gears. But when gears of war 2 comes out it still wont have as much sales as halo 3. If anyone wants to know what my gamertag is it's xkillasnip3zx. Levl 39 in team slayer and 36 in double team >:)

Posted December 18, 2007 03:29 PM

alejandro

HALO SUCKS AUTO AIM WHAT THE HELL IS THAT SAME THING AS HALO 2 IT SUCKS GEARS WILL KICK THERE ASS ALL DAY EVERY DAY WE GOT WAY BETTER WEAPONS AND VEICHLES BY THE WAY THE GRAPHICS ON GEARS ARE THE BEST UNLIKE THE GRAPHICS IN HALO AND NO COVER WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THEY THINK THEY CAN DO ANYTHING WITHOUT COVER BUT THEY CANT AND GEARS GOT COVER AND GEARS IS THE BEST GAME EVER NOTHING ON GEARS

Posted June 1, 2009 01:35 PM

« Previous Post | Main | Next Post »

Post a Comment

Disclaimer:

Note: By submitting your comments you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that due to the volume of e-mails we receive, not all comments will be published, and those that are published will not be edited. But all will be carefully read, considered and appreciated.

Note: Due to volume there will be a delay before your comment is processed. Your comment will go through even if you leave this page immediately afterwards.

Privacy Policy | Submissions Policy

Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

World »

new U.K. preps for possible copycat attacks after hacking death
Britain is bracing for clashes with right-wing extremists and possible copycat attacks after the brutal slaying of a young soldier although an official say no specific threats had been detected.
Washington state bridge collapse injures 3 video
A Washington state bridge over a river collapsed last night, dumping two vehicles into the water and sparking a rescue effort by boats and divers who searched the chilly waterway north of Seattle.
new Jet with smoking engine lands safely at Heathrow
A British Airways jet made an emergency landing at London's Heathrow Airport Friday after developing a technical problem after takeoff. TV footage showed smoke streaming from one of the engines.
more »

Canada »

Mike Duffy says he wants to give Canadians 'the whole story' video
Senator Mike Duffy says he wants a "full and open" inquiry so Canadians can get all the facts about the scandal that has rocked the Senate and the Prime Minister's Office and that he has no plans to resign.
analysis Greg Weston: Senate scandal may be Harper's worst hour
The widening Senate scandal that the prime minister flippantly tried to dismiss as a 'distraction' just days ago has instead become arguably Stephen Harper's worst hour.
Montreal lifts boil-water advisory video
Mayor Michael Applebaum has given Montrealers the green light to drink their tap water, saying it's safe to drink. He says if it's still discoloured, let the taps run for a few minutes.
more »

Politics »

Federal Court won't remove MPs over robocall allegations
The Federal Court says it won't throw six MPs out of their seats over allegations of widespread vote suppression through automated robocalls in the 2011 federal election. But Judge Richard Mosley did find that fraud occurred in the election.
analysis Greg Weston: Senate scandal may be Harper's worst hour
The widening Senate scandal that the prime minister flippantly tried to dismiss as a 'distraction' just days ago has instead become arguably Stephen Harper's worst hour.
Mike Duffy says he wants to give Canadians 'the whole story' video
Senator Mike Duffy says he wants a "full and open" inquiry so Canadians can get all the facts about the scandal that has rocked the Senate and the Prime Minister's Office and that he has no plans to resign.
more »

Health »

Chronic fatigue may be reversed with exercise
Taking it easy is not the best treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, rather exercise and behaviour therapy are, a large study finds.
AT&T buys T-Mobile USA for $39B US
AT&T Inc. said Sunday it will buy T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom AG in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $39 billion US, becoming the largest cellphone company in the U.S.
Milky Way home to 50 billion planets: NASA
Scientists have compiled the first cosmic census of planets in our galaxy: at least 50 billion planets are estimated to call the Milky Way home.
more »

Arts & Entertainment»

Quebec film wins screenplay prize at Cannes
Le Demantelement, a movie by Quebec director Sebastien Pilote, has won one of the main prizes of sidebar program Critics Week at the Cannes Film Festival.
K'naan tries his hand at filmmaking with Sundance workshop
Somali-Canadian rapper K'naan has long drawn musical inspiration from his troubled homeland. Now he says he's ready to make a film about his war-torn roots.
new Amanda Bynes arrested for allegedly tossing bong out window
Police say actress Amanda Bynes has been arrested in midtown Manhattan after she heaved a marijuana bong out of a window.
more »

Technology & Science »

new 3D printers give rise to 'desktop manufacturing'
Customizable objects from plastic dollhouse furniture to medical prosthetics can now be designed and printed out by almost anyone at the press of a button, and is going to lead to an 'explosion of new stuff,' predicts author Chris Anderson.
Canada's privacy laws inadequate for digital age, watchdog says
Canadians' trust in the digital economy is at risk because our laws don't have enough teeth to compel companies to protect consumers' privacy, Canada's privacy commissioner says.
Twitter launches feature to 'make sure it's really you'
Following hack attacks on the Twitter accounts of The Associated Press, the Financial Times and other media organizations by the Syrian Electronic Army, Twitter has rolled out a new feature to help prevent unauthorized logins to a user's accounts.
more »

Money »

German brewers worry fracking will compromise beer quality
German brewers are worried that fracking, the process of extracting natural gas from underground shale deposits, will jeopardize the quality of their beer by contaminating the water supply and have asked their government to hold off on passing the fracking regulations it has been drafting for months.
SNC-Lavalin letter says Gadhafi son offered VP post: RCMP
SNC-Lavalin's ties to Libya's former dictatorship ran so deep the company offered the son of Moammar Gadhafi a six-figure job as a vice president in 2008, according to a newly unsealed RCMP affidavit.
Importers brace for fight over iPods and TVs
Importers of popular electronics such as big-screen TVs and MP3 players are ramping up their fight against federal tariff changes, accusing the government of misleading them by offering tariff breaks that it planned to claw back later.
more »

Consumer Life »

Honda recalls Fit subcompacts
Honda Canada says it will recall 14,640 of its 2009 and 2010 Fit subcompact cars to replace lost motion springs.
U.S. travel fee proposal criticized by Harper
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he doesn't think much of a new border tax that's being proposed by the United States, calling it a cash grab designed to help a budget crisis.
Bell class action suit approved by Que. court
A Quebec Superior Court judge has authorized a class action lawsuit to go ahead against Bell Mobility.
more »

Sports »

Scores: NHL NBA

Stanley Cup Stories: Red Wings take control
The Detroit Red Wings put the Chicago Blackhawks in an unfamiliar spot and New York Rangers coach John Tortorella had a special request for the media in the top NHL stories from Thursday.
video Did You See That? Rask gives up stinky goal to Hagelin
During the second period of Game 4 between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers Thursday night, goalie Tuukka Rask let in an odorous goal to New York's Carl Hagelin.
blog Top #hockeynight tweets from Thursday
The Red Wings were supposed to be the underdogs heading into their series with the top-seeded Blackhawks, but they're now up 3-1. Here's what the Twitter world had to say.
more »

Diversions »

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
more »