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BioShock 2 ships 3 million, GTAIV sells 15M, Take-Two tops targets

Undersea sequel hits milestone as publisher reports lower-than-expected loss for Nov.-Jan.; NBA 2K10 ships 2 million; NHL 2K11 Wii-only; MLB losses to hit $30-35 million.

With no fewer than four developers in the mix, skepticism about BioShock 2 was high when it shipped February 9. However, on the diver-boot-clad heels of solid reviews, the game has shipped 3 million copies to date, according to Take-Two Interactive. The number compares favorably to the original BioShock, which has sold (not shipped) 4 million units globally since it went on sale in August 2007. The game will receive a series of downloadable content updates in the coming months.

BioShock 2 will be Take-Two's sugar daddy this quarter.

BioShock 2 will be Take-Two's sugar daddy this quarter.

Take-Two reported BioShock 2's milestone as part of its earnings report for the November-January quarter. (The company's fiscal year ends on October 31.) Though the publisher still had a net loss of $33.8 million ($0.43 per share), the shortfall was lower than the $53.8 million ($0.71 per share) it lost during the same quarter the year prior. It was also far less than the $0.51 per share loss a Thomson Reuters survey of analysts predicted.

The New York-based publisher's $163.2 million in net quarterly revenues were above the $149.4 million it took in during the same quarter a year ago. It credited strong holiday sales of several games for the uptick: Borderlands, which Gearbox recently called a "3-million-unit game"; NBA 2K10, which has shipped 2 million units; minigame comp Carnival Games, which has sold 6 million units; and Grand Theft Auto IV, which has now sold 15 million units life-to-date. Take-Two also called out Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City as a holiday hit but did not provide sales figures.

Take-Two also revealed that it is in the process of reducing its "corporate headcount" by 15 percent as part of "a targeted restructuring of its corporate departments." As a result, it expects to save $8 million in its 2010 fiscal year, and $15 million each year there after. The company did not say how many positions would be eliminated, but the cutbacks appear to be only on the corporate, not developer, level.

Looking ahead, the company has delayed Rockstar Games' long-anticipated open-world game Red Dead Redemption to May 18. Mafia II is also now due in the August-October quarter, alongside L.A. Noire, Max Payne 3, and Sid Meier's Civilization V. In a conference call with analysts, Take-Two president and CEO Ben Feder said that the company's guidance compensates for "one of those games being pushed into the next fiscal year."

The company's release schedule also confirmed NBA 2K11 for unnamed platforms and listed NHL 2K11--but only for the Wii. During the same conference call, executives said that the series was "taking a year off." Last year, the publisher neglected to include any version of NHL 2K11 in its upcoming schedule, saying it was "in the process of evaluating our sports portfolio."

Speaking of Take-Two's guidance, the company now expects net revenue of $250 million to $300 million for the February-April quarter and earnings per share of $0.20 to $0.30. For the full fiscal year, the company expects $725 million to $925 million in revenue and a loss of $0.40 to $0.60 per share, thanks to an annual net loss of $30 million to $35 million ($0.38 to $0.44 per share) from the company's Major League Baseball exclusivity deal.

90 Comments

  • taino1128

    Posted Mar 29, 2010 9:58 am GMT

    OOH, WHEN ARE THERE GOING TO BE MORE MAX PAYNE 3 DETAILS?!

  • XanderKage

    Posted Mar 11, 2010 2:01 pm GMT

    @SicklySunStorm
    I'm just saying.. It sounded like you said that good sales for BS2 and good sales for Wii Play are for the same reason - as in not because the game is any good, but because of something else... Especially since you're commnet was adressed at a guy who praised BS2's good sales... I dunno, I'm probably making a big deal out of nothing... It's just with all the flack BS2 got...

  • SicklySunStorm

    Posted Mar 11, 2010 1:05 pm GMT

    @XanderKage - er... ok? no idea why you just said that, but anyway.

    If you read my comments carefully, you'll see that what I was saying in reply to someone else is that Wii Play was a demonstration of a poor game that sold extraordinarily well, because of a remote pack in. I never compared, mentioned or uttered anything about BioShock in that statement.

    Sure BioShock 2 sold well - and rightly so, it's a great game. I was merely pointing out that not all games that sell well are great, as someone else surmised further down the comments. Now lighten up will ya!?

  • XanderKage

    Posted Mar 11, 2010 8:50 am GMT

    Gamespot really need to hire a new guy to write their puns. "Sugar Daddy"? Really?
    Anyways,
    @SicklySunStorm
    As far as I know, Bioshock 2 (unless you count the special edition) didn't come with anything more then the disk and a manual - so please don't compare it to Wii Play...

  • shentonio

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 1:43 pm GMT

    @turnerdoc

    What time did you check it out? I was online at 7 o'clock GMT and it was there, so it's definitely on the store today.

    To some of the other posters on here, I agree that it's not always true that great games get the sales they deserve. I thought Brutal Legend deserved to sell a lot more copies than it did, as it's something a bit different than most of the games out there.

  • SicklySunStorm

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 11:08 am GMT

    @shawn7324 - that's true for the most part, but not always. If it was always true, can you explain Wii Play without mentioning the Wii-mote inclusion?

    thought not

  • turnerdoc

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 11:07 am GMT

    does anyone know how to get the just cause 2 demo went to playstation store its not there

  • Trogeton

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 10:01 am GMT

    Great job bioshock and wow GTA

  • 2bitSmOkEy

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 9:28 am GMT

    @ shakensparco ahh man Psychonauts was also underrated critically as well. What a creative masterpiece that game was. Every level was completely unique not only artistically, but gameplay wise as well.

  • mikeyg756

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 9:08 am GMT

    BULLS*** Why do publishers always do this to the games I want? Every game I drool over for years (red dead redemption in this case) gets delayed for another month or two just as the expected release gets near. Honestly, when you are making this kind of money there is no excuse for misleading customers just because you don't actually have a clue how finished the game is. If you give a release date, maker sure it is accurate.

  • chano7

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 8:55 am GMT

    maybe I know the next game for the Big Daddy
    Mega Man 10 like Drill Man+machine gun (dlc)

  • sleepnsurf

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 8:52 am GMT

    I will buy Bioshock when it hits the $10 dollar bin, no more!

  • shakensparco

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 7:59 am GMT

    "I've said it a hundred times. Great Games Have Great Sales, & Bioshock 2 is a great game. I'm about 3/4 of the way through & have thoroughly enjoyed it." - shawn7324

    If that was always the case, then Psychonauts and GTA Chinatown Wars would have sold well.

  • KrazzyDJ

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 7:41 am GMT

    Oh My God !!! Mafia II delayed to August-September. This is surely going the Splinter Cell: Conviction way !!!

  • CFritzRun

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 7:31 am GMT

    Oooh, August and September are going to be awesome. L.A. Noire could potentially be a turning point in the sandbox genre.

  • roosterdip

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 7:29 am GMT

    there is one thing I would love to see happen. IW come to Take Two after their ATVI contract is up in October. It's obvious now that they are leaveing ATVI. IW could give TTWO a top of the line fps to go with GTA series.

  • guitarist1980

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 6:49 am GMT

    yeah Bioshock 2 is a really good game. I had a blast with it. Short and sweet.

  • shawn7324

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 5:38 am GMT

    I've said it a hundred times. Great Games Have Great Sales, & Bioshock 2 is a great game. I'm about 3/4 of the way through & have thoroughly enjoyed it.

  • MrHatnClogs

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 5:04 am GMT

    Can't wait for GTA*Insert City Name Here*!!!

  • RicardoZagada

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 4:44 am GMT

    Agreed!
    Red Dead Revolver was very impressive, I hope the new one follows the same path!

  • SicklySunStorm

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 3:56 am GMT

    Red Dead Redemption delayed!? Nooooooooo

    Oh well, it's not that long... I just want my hands on that game ASAP. I have a feeling it's going to be a truly spectacular game.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 3:47 am GMT

    I would never guess that Bioshock 2 could sell so many copys

  • GT_APE

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 2:22 am GMT

    Still no review? Where is the review? SC2 was just reviewed within one day of release.......

  • Putty121

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 1:09 am GMT

    Not much has changed since the first game and the multiplayer didn't really bring anything new, but it IS fun and I did really enjoy the single player. Good game.

  • heatblast511

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 12:47 am GMT

    Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • p3tZku

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 11:25 pm GMT

    @ toysoldier34

    I agree completely with you, It's sad imo that some even lower the score of a game just because it lacks multiplayer.

  • Toysoldier34

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 11:03 pm GMT

    I think many people now days need multiplayer to buy a game which is sad, because although Bioshock 2's multiplayer is fun it shouldn't be the main reason you buy it. Many didn't buy the first because there wasn't any multiplayer. A shooter without online? Hows this have a story? Isn't that for RPGs? People need to get beyond this thinking, the best games of the year and games of the year are mostly great single player focused games so there's still hope that everything doesn't feel the need to focus on multiplayer.

  • gamer082009

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 10:59 pm GMT

    Loved Bioshock 2, loved the ending. It's quite a special game, especially seeing what the next environment although lacking this time around would be.

  • badtaker

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 10:56 pm GMT

    I want to know how many copies were sold for PC

  • deathwish026 posted Mar 3, 2010 10:54 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    deathwish026

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 10:54 pm GMT (hide)

    bioshock 2 story = FAIL

    like most sequals its had more features taken out than put in.

  • im-a-roustabout

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 10:06 pm GMT

    It still amazes me when I see how many numbers it takes for a game to be considered "sold well" status. I just can't believe that only 4 million people purchased Bioshock 1, and that alone warranted 2 sequels and a movie deal?!? I LOVE this game don't get me wrong, it's my favorite, It's just crazy not more people have bought this game. I mean were talking the WORLD here. Idk.

  • ThePowerOfHAT

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 9:52 pm GMT

    Say what you will about EA's motivations, but I'm liking how they're using DLC as a reason to get a game new instead of used. Considering the amount of free content that has come and is still coming to Mass Effect 2, for example, I'm enjoying their business at the moment.

  • UnitedGamerz

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 9:29 pm GMT

    @GordonFan92 You dont know a good quality game if it hit you in the face. You must be an other ea fan. Ea only wants money. Thats why they always take over developers. They are like the gold diggers of the gaming industry.

  • imperial_agent

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 9:14 pm GMT

    good job Take 2. the new BioShock is a lot better than I thought it would be.

    keep pumping out these high quality games. can't wait for Red Dead and Mafia!

  • nukeforbinladen

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 8:55 pm GMT

    i hope bioshock 2 sells well. it was a great game in my book and worthy of all the praise it gets considering how well crafted the story is. just let irrational games make bioshock 3 and im a happy splicer

  • GordonFan92 posted Mar 3, 2010 8:52 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    GordonFan92

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 8:52 pm GMT (hide)

    "Evaluating our sports portfolio" LOL the only sports game they make with any redeeming qualities is NBA. NHL blows and MLB is worse, but they forced themselves into making that every year by buying the exclusivity. They only made the million $ gimmick this year in an attempt to sway PS3 owners, who have the option of buying a quality baseball game, to buy theirs hahaha. Personally im waiting for the return of MVP Baseball...

    P.S. GTA IV is also a terrible game and BioShock just isnt my kind of game so i have no opinion either way...

  • addictedtochaos

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 8:45 pm GMT

    was another delay for red dead really necessary?

  • wiidsduelpack

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 8:35 pm GMT

    Bioshock 2 has shipped 3 million but based on another site, it has even sold close to a million. 360 version has like 600k sales and ps3 version has 300k sales. High reviews made retailers think it was going to be a blockbuster game.

  • coldsauce09

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 8:33 pm GMT

    activision sucks so hard!! way to go Rockstar

  • Doolz2024

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 8:20 pm GMT

    "Take-Two also called out Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City as a holiday hit, but did not provide sales figures."

    Translation: It probably didn't sell that well. I'm sure most people just downloaded both episodes.

  • Hekynn

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 8:05 pm GMT

    Very nice good job rockstar on beating Activision!!

  • nachi_lobo

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 7:49 pm GMT

    One Word to Bioshock 2: Masterpiece

  • hi-buzz

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 7:36 pm GMT

    Bioshock 2 is great, but the first Bioshock was an AWESOME gaming experience.....best game of 2007... And better than the sequel.....

  • Shardz7

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 7:36 pm GMT

    I don't know how any company could possibly report any losses with sales reports this remarkably high. When you have a corporate structure that is basically managing the money pile for all these projects, you will have a huge room full of fat cats and dead weight that could be trimmed immediately to cut down expenses - not closing up development houses who do the actual work to make them fat. I would love to see some Indie developers hit these kind of numbers and show the corporates that the game industry should be about making games, not skimming the top for payola like our beloved Senators.

  • demonkillerx

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 7:10 pm GMT

    I love Bioshock 2, but i don't like GTA 4. No offense to GTA 4 fans.

  • mrbigced76

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 7:08 pm GMT

    i have it

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 7:07 pm GMT

    I have such a backlog of FPS's I haven't finished that I haven't bought either BioShock yet... I am not huge into FPS, but I will breakdown and add these to the collection sooner or later.

  • MassMayham57_

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 7:03 pm GMT

    you gotta love GTA 4

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