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Gears 2 opens to double platinum sales

By Laura Jenner, GameSpot UKPosted Nov 12, 2008 5:43 am PT

Epic's Xbox 360-exclusive shooter shifts 2 million copies on its launch weekend; sets new record for concurrent XBL players.

Just over a year ago, Microsoft was celebrating what was at the time "one of the most successful entertainment properties in history," after sales figures for Halo 3 were announced. The game racked up $300 million in sales during its first week, and set the tone for the blockbuster releases to come in the following year.

Now a year on, and Microsoft has returned yet again to trumpet the sales of one of its console's flagship shooters. According to the publisher, Epic's Xbox 360 exclusive Gears of War 2 sold over 2 million units within its first weekend of release. The third-person shooter, a follow-up to the 2006 hit Gears of War, was released worldwide on November 7 to critical acclaim. Gears of War 2 sees COG heroes Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago return to fight the Locust threat that is taking over the last cities of Sera.

Gears of War 2 has also had a major impact on Xbox Live. According to Microsoft, over 1.5 million people logged into Live for some COG-versus-Locust action on the launch weekend, setting a record for concurrent Live players.

Other publishers have recently been celebrating sales landmarks too. Harmonix has recently seen its founders rewarded with a $300 million bonus after music game Rock Band and Rock Band 2 hit sales of 7 million units across multiple platforms, and Ubisoft's results were boosted by Far Cry 2 hitting the million-sales mark within three weeks of launch. Bethesda's multiformat Fallout 3, which went straight to the top of the UK all-formats chart, made the company $300 million in its first week in shops.

198 Comments

  • MandoWolf

    Posted Dec 4, 2008 4:44 am PT

    I'm proud to be one of those 7 million buyers.

  • ShroudedEagle

    Posted Dec 2, 2008 5:23 am PT

    Yeah I agree with you kineas454 lol it's a really good thing that we can have 8 player Private chat now.

    But anyway Epic should make more by the end of this year, with it being Christmas.

  • Thing1232

    Posted Nov 25, 2008 5:26 pm PT

    What can you expect from a game with a chainsaw with really good effects that you can use at pretty much any time... Take away that and the over the top amounts of blood and it'd probably drop in popularity.

  • cuddlesofwar

    Posted Nov 20, 2008 2:43 pm PT

    COD WAW will sell waaaaaaaaaay more, sadly.

  • killasuad35

    Posted Nov 20, 2008 10:31 am PT

    wow i think GOW is a great game but needs more new additives

  • Bobio1138

    Posted Nov 19, 2008 6:11 pm PT

    Halo capped out and around 1 million on its first weekend and the was WAY less people on Xbox live back then.

  • kineas454

    Posted Nov 19, 2008 5:40 am PT

    To say there's 14 million current XBL subscribers, 2 million does'nt sound that much. It's a good time period to have it right now, all the 13 year olds won't be able to get it until christmas, so enjoy Gears 2 online while you can.

  • WestSideAzn

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 3:54 pm PT

    Thanks to MS and Epic... Another quality game for the Xbox 360.

  • rulo_rezn0r

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 9:50 am PT

    i love this game so much

  • LosDaddie

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 7:46 am PT

    Gald I could help, MS & EPIC!

    YOu guys deserve all the success for this fantastic game.

    Thank YOU again!

  • Bahaa3000

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 7:35 am PT

    My first buy as soon as I get to USA next month ! I can't wait

  • bigcrusha

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 2:26 am PT

    1.5 mill playing gears 2 online on the first weekend!? Omg gasp! No way!, what a surprise! lol

  • dmjake

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 1:50 am PT

    is it just me or does everyone's girlfriend love this game?

  • senorbusyman

    Posted Nov 16, 2008 8:34 pm PT

    GoW2 kicks MASSIVE locust butt...when i opened mine at the midnight release i just started playing with my girlfriend & was it a blast!

  • -Beatz-

    Posted Nov 16, 2008 9:53 am PT

    Hey MetalMan300.

    Haven't played the game, but I wants it.

  • gobbo00 posted Nov 15, 2008 8:50 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    gobbo00

    Posted Nov 15, 2008 8:50 pm PT (hide)

    The live record wont hold due to COD WAW even though, it's s*** boring and comes every year like christmass.

  • Kashmiro

    Posted Nov 15, 2008 11:24 am PT

    Yea, I love this game there isn't really any flaws. By the way the matchmaking issues are probably caused by either what internet company you use or what router you have. Check your NAT if it is "strict" it is hard for you to find matches, if it is "open" it should speed up the process.

  • MetalMan300

    Posted Nov 15, 2008 10:01 am PT

    Gears 2= Booyah! I didnt even like the first game and I still think this one rocks. Basically its a curbstomp to the face of sony fans everywhere!

    @ace-of-spades93

    I think its just the matchmaking issues. It takes forever for me 2 find a game as well. But halo 3 was the same way when it first released. So many players slowed the server down so much. Hopefully gears 2 will match you up faster in a few days.

  • griffinshotc

    Posted Nov 15, 2008 6:15 am PT

    This game is awesome!! I didn't get any sleep when I first bought this game. And Cole??? He's hilarious!! This game is a must-buy!!!

  • no1outlaw

    Posted Nov 15, 2008 3:45 am PT

    The greatest thing about GeOW2 is that it manages to strike a balance between single and multiplayer. I can have just as much fun in killing locust in the amazing story mode as i can playing horde and vs modes online. Good to know that it's breaking records.

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