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NA Halo 3 preorders top 1M

  • By Tor Thorsen, Emma Boyes, GameSpot
  • Posted Aug 9, 2007 11:32 am PT

Bungie's forthcoming FPS now the fastest-selling game preorder in North American history; Microsoft announces cobranding deals with Mountain Dew, Burger King, Doritos, and Pontiac.

Back in May, rumors were afoot that 4 million Halo 3 preorders had been placed via US retailer GameStop alone. However, suspicions were raised when the staggering number was not confirmed by Microsoft, which has been waging an expanding publicity campaign for the Xbox 360-exclusive shooter before its late September release.

Today, Microsoft trumpeted Halo 3 preorder figures for the first time--and while still impressive, they were a fraction of the previously rumored amount. As of this week, one million preorders of Bungie's sci-fi shooter have been made in North America--enough to make it the "fastest-selling video game preorder" in the territory's history. The figure means that the Halo 3 launch could potentially be bigger than that of Halo 2. The then-Xbox-exclusive sold 2.38 million units in the US and Canada in the 24 hours after went on sale on November 16, 2004, generating an estimated $125 million.

Halo 3 preorder customers' passion for the game is such that cost is apparently no object. As part of today's announcement, Microsoft warned that, despite its premium price point, the collectible Halo 3: Legendary Edition is on track to sell out before the game launches. The bundle, which includes a miniaturized version of the Master Chief's helmet, retails for $129.99 in the US, but is already sold out at several online retailers in the UK.

In addition to its preorder bravado, Microsoft today touted a series of Halo 3 cobranding initiatives of the sort typically associated with blockbuster films. As indicated by various leaks earlier this year, PepsiCo is launching "the first beverage co-branded with a video game," Mountain Dew Game Fuel (pictured). Bearing the Halo 3 logo and the likeness of the Master Chief, the beverage will have more caffeine and a slightly different flavor than standard-issue Mountain Dew. Mountain Dew Game Fuel will go on sale on August 13 for a limited time alongside Halo 3-themed Doritos, which are manufactured by PepsiCo subsidiary Frito-Lay.

Convenience store chain 7-Eleven will be running a promotion hyping Halo 3-themed Mountain Dew and Doritos featuring "thousands" of prizes, including the chance to be a voice actor in the upcoming Xbox 360 real-time strategy game Halo Wars.

The move comes after 7-Eleven rebranded dozens of its locations as Kwik-E-Marts to promote The Simpsons Movie. Another Simpsons Movie partner in corporate synergy, Burger King, is also hitching its fall fortunes to Halo 3. The fast food franchise will run a Master-Chief-centric promotion from September 24 to October 22 with Halo 3 meal packaging that will give customers access to exclusive online content.

Auto maker Pontiac is also hopping aboard the cobranding bandwagon, and will hold a series of Pontiac Gamers Garage events where gamers can play Halo 3 ahead of its released and get a chance to win a Halo 3-themed G6 GXP Street car. Cable giant Comcast will also be hosting exclusive Halo 3 video content online.

Last but not least, the Projekt Revolution annual concert tour this summer will be sponsored by Halo 3, with events taking place in "select cities" where attendees will get Halo 3 merchandise, and the chance to meet perennial headliners Linkin Park.

1166 Comments

  • Dark_Eagle80

    Posted Aug 17, 2007 4:34 pm GMT

    The Halo 3 Mountain Dew has been spotted in stores, as I was able to buy a bottle for a $1. It's Dew with a Citrus Cherry flavor.

  • mickeydean4

    Posted Aug 17, 2007 11:13 am GMT

    i have preorderd 3 version of the halo 3 ledgendary 2 to keep 1 to sell ^_^

  • trickyspider

    Posted Aug 17, 2007 1:37 am GMT

    yea bo i m in dea.. gt my preorderz

  • OnlyTbone

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 11:27 pm GMT

    no way that gears has better online mattserial. thats easily self explanatory. This game is going to be so awesome. It will be the most epic game ever. Sony Wii people just hate to say it

  • condemned100

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 2:35 pm GMT

    Whether we like it or not our opinions won't make a difference. Once Halo 3 was accounced it was coming out since the start that was it, it started the Halo Mania. Whether we think Halo 3 is too Mainstream or not it's going to sell Millions of copies and Millions it will.

  • Flamesack112

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 11:57 am GMT

    If there are 1 Million plus pre-orders, than that means Halo 3 has already made the platinum hits list, and they can make it $20 cheaper! (please!!!)
    Meh, i'm not complaining, $60 ain't that expensive.

  • okassar

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 8:16 am GMT

    If Halo 3's BETA was amazing,how's the product going to be?I don't want to tire my fingers...I'm going to preorder Halo 3.Prediction:the Legendary edition will indeed sell out and go sky high on eBay early on.Another predicition is that everyone with a 360 will have their lives sucked away,except this game is the opposite of a dementor(if you read or so Harry Potter from 3 and on,you will know what I'm referring to).

  • stfolife

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 3:56 pm GMT

    damn gotta preorder before they sell out

  • RockMan-NEO

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 10:30 am GMT

    The drink taste gooooood :3

  • TTDog

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 6:24 am GMT

    Pre-orders don't prove that the game will be any good, they prove it'll be popular but they don't guarantee quality... look at how the cows were getting all pumped up for Lair... and have been presented with a polished turd for their patience.

  • mattserria117

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 5:13 am GMT

    Crills i dont belive that metroid prime will be better than halo3 .. i belive bioshock will be on par with halo 3 but just below.. The PreOrder Stats Prove ThIs will Be the Greatest Game Of The Century!

  • crills

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 4:08 am GMT

    halos going to be ok but it will not be better then bioshock or metroid 3 .but then again its halo so it dont matter it the single player sucks cause they going to buy it for the online anyway even if gears has a better online this will be the # 1 game on xbox this year

  • packernation31

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 12:10 am GMT

    This will be the sickest game to date!

  • Lach0121

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 10:38 pm GMT

    @levoiddragon, lol that was great
    funny too... join the army. oh that tickled a little.. yeah i think the game will freaking rock halo3 i mean, its the game im looking forward to the most this year on both of my platforms 360 elite, and ps3.. followed by warhawk, then mass effect blue dragon, lost oddyssy, lair, haze, ut3, two worlds if it will ever come out... but the one im looking to the most out of both doesnt even have a release date yet and thats huxley.. on the 360.. that game if done right will be oh so awesome.

  • LeVoidDragon

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 8:42 pm GMT

    ghostman7777:

    it's called a beta.... the product is going to be much better than the beta... plus, if graphics are all your looking for in games, then why not join the army, i've heard it's just like a fps, cept with the best graphics ever... btw, the beta fricking RULED!!!!

  • Pete5506

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 8:00 pm GMT

    Well I am one of them 1M, and that can dose look cool

  • andyheid

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 7:34 pm GMT

    Ghostman7777

    "Wow 1 million pre sales. Most of which were people who have not played the Beta. The Beta in my opinion SUCKED! The graphics were only like halo 2 in really low HD. I hope the final game is better or there will be riots by angry gamers and there will be assassination plots on the president. The president of Bungie that is."

    The beta was the best game I've ever played in my life and it was only a tip of the iceberg. Did you even play the beta?

  • Ghostman7777

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 6:44 pm GMT

    Wow 1 million pre sales. Most of which were people who have not played the Beta. The Beta in my opinion SUCKED! The graphics were only like halo 2 in really low HD. I hope the final game is better or there will be riots by angry gamers and there will be assassination plots on the president. The president of Bungie that is.

  • jrapczak

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 6:33 pm GMT

    And with this latest Xbox marketing ploy, the 360 consumer demographic becomes narrower by the day.....seriously i dont know anyone outside the ages of 14-28 and who isn't male that owns one.....meanwhile I seem to win over chick after chick thats never played a video game in their life on Wii Bowling ALONE. Honestly 360 fanboys, whats left after Halo 3? A few other spinoff FPS'? Yet another GTA? I'm calling it out now, the next home consoles from Sony and Microsoft wont even be titled Playstation or Xbox. You heard it here folks!!!

  • Xaovagon

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 6:18 pm GMT

    Mmmm... Killzone energy drinks

  • Xaovagon

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 6:16 pm GMT

    i'm definetly hoping Killzone 2 will be awesome though, (sigh...) but maybe they will do huge marketing campaigns and create killzone energy drinks!!!

  • Wolfie600

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 6:12 pm GMT

    Bakahasi is ur typical PS3 owner.....

  • Xaovagon

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 6:09 pm GMT

    basically all the PS3 has now to counter Halo 3 is Killzone 2 and maybe MGS4 (if it stays an exclusive) considering the failure of lair and warhawk

  • SR71halo

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 5:49 pm GMT

    All they need now are Halo 3 toys at BK.

  • moatartareque

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 3:52 pm GMT

    wow halo3 themed pop lol

  • Bakahashi

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 3:15 pm GMT

    Lol, I could wait until 2009 to play the game, it doesn't bother me.

  • GoddBless

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 1:36 pm GMT

    "demoralizer

    I didn't even preorder yet. I could only assume others heven't yet also."

    I pre-ordered mine last year September! The Legendary Edition at that!

  • uk_beny

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 12:26 pm GMT

    nooooo never pre ordered it im never getting hold of this now

  • KeasbeyKnight

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 11:44 am GMT

    hm, well i'll try gamer fuel cause mountain dew is good, but at the same time pepsi should know better. the only real "gamer fuel" there is, is Bawls.

  • rpawloski2458

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 11:26 am GMT

    The funny thing is, Halo 3 probably would have set records with hardly any marketing at all.

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 10:03 am GMT

    dumb "marketing."

  • waraga

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 9:31 am GMT

    i am very impressed though i am not a 360 fan but this game will kick a**

  • Lach0121

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 5:43 am GMT

    @neoNavarro
    im billy.. well my name is billy..
    well it wont happen to me 2 reasons.
    A. 1911 narinco .45 cal
    B. they would have to jump the UPS guy, because mine is comming from amazon.com

  • NeoNavarro

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 12:23 am GMT

    I wonder if Microsoft is going to make enough copy's of the game. Geez Microsoft has to make over 1 million copy's of Halo 3 before September. I really hope they make enough because I'd hate to hear some bull crap on the news that little Billy was jumped and beaten to death for his copy of Halo 3 or grandma was beaten with her own cane for her Halo 3 copy.

  • TheRuneGamer

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 12:16 am GMT

    Today's the big day, Ima go buy some of this mountain dew stuff. Interesting.

  • smartthingy

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 12:14 am GMT

    Only 10$$$ away from legendary ed....
    hmmmm ill go work at Mcdonalds or sumthing
    GO HALO 3
    PS3 SUCKS

  • Salemiscool

    Posted Aug 12, 2007 10:48 pm GMT

    Man, this is kinda going over board... Sweet.

  • lquidsnake133

    Posted Aug 12, 2007 9:16 pm GMT

    Envy me! I had the gamer fuel before all of you!

  • carfrance

    Posted Aug 12, 2007 6:06 pm GMT

    Ive already pre ordered and I'm buying an Xbox 360 this week just so my friends/family can play it.

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Aug 12, 2007 4:46 pm GMT

    I don't have money to get it yet*sighs*

  • Oni

    Posted Aug 12, 2007 3:58 pm GMT

    Lach0121 - it wont happen because alot of depressed gamers enjoy being miserable. Just try to filter the replies you read. It's pretty easy to tell when a reply is going in that direction.

  • SmArTaLeC1321

    Posted Aug 12, 2007 2:54 pm GMT

    saving*

  • SmArTaLeC1321

    Posted Aug 12, 2007 2:52 pm GMT

    Im my money by getting the normal limited edition, i mean i rather get another of the many amzing games coming out than a helmet you cant wear!

  • cowbrains788

    Posted Aug 12, 2007 1:10 pm GMT

    the halo 3 mountain dew is delicious! it gives you an instant buzz with over 70 mg of caffeine though

  • Lach0121

    Posted Aug 12, 2007 9:20 am GMT

    man these fanboys.... why cant all of us gamers get along... no matter what platform, ive said this a million times in this topic alone.
    the fanboy disease is going to tear us apart. look at what it has already done.
    sheese i mean enjoy the ps3 for what it can do, what it offers, and whats in its future,
    enjoy the 360 for what it can do, what if offers, and whats in its future
    same goes for pc and the wii...
    fanboys of all sides get overyourself..

  • Cody5569_basic

    Posted Aug 12, 2007 8:47 am GMT

    I don't care what people say, i'm a sucker for Halo.. so I pre-ordered the Legendary Edition.

  • Thornscar

    Posted Aug 12, 2007 7:54 am GMT

    This is the time when Sony will be running in fear of this awesome juggernaut!

  • nev70

    Posted Aug 12, 2007 2:37 am GMT

    fr33_loader I pity you X360 gamers while you play you're so called Halo 3 and Bioshock online with millions of people this year, I will be very busy downloading and installing Piyotama puzzles @ PSN store. It is full awesomenessfulest. For $600 only I can play this game (in 1080p I hope) exclusive to PS3.
    ..............................................................WTF HAS THIS STORY GOT TO DO WITH A SONY FAN ? ? ? ? ? NOW **** ***

  • fr33_loader

    Posted Aug 11, 2007 10:56 pm GMT

    I pity you X360 gamers while you play you're so called Halo 3 and Bioshock online with millions of people this year, I will be very busy downloading and installing Piyotama puzzles @ PSN store. It is full awesomenessfulest. For $600 only I can play this game (in 1080p I hope) exclusive to PS3.

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