Microsoft today announced that the Xbox 360 exclusive game “Halo 3” has officially become the biggest entertainment launch in history, garnering an estimated $170 million in sales in the United States alone in the first 24 hours. The Xbox 360 title beat previous records set by blockbuster theatrical releases like “Spider-man 3” and novels such as “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”

“Halo 3” is the conclusion to the epic trilogy and picks up where “Halo 2” left off, answering questions around the fates of the beloved protagonist Master Chief and his artificial intelligence sidekick Cortana as they struggle to save humankind from destruction at the hands of the alien coalition known as the Covenant. In addition to the rich storyline, “Halo 3” continues the franchise’s grand tradition of delivering innovative online multiplayer experiences via Xbox LIVE, the world’s largest social network on TV.

“Halo 3 has become a pop-culture phenomenon,” said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “Not only is “Halo 3” setting sales records, it’s also redefining entertainment.

Within the first 20 hours alone, we’ve seen more than a million Xbox LIVE members come online to play Halo 3 – that makes September 25 the most active Xbox LIVE gaming day in history.”

Retailers have also expressed their excitement about the launch of “Halo 3.”

Bob McKenzie, Senior Vice President of Merchandising for GameStop Corp commented that, “With consumer demand for Halo 3 and related products, we expect it to be the biggest video game title generator in GameStop's history."

“The initial demand we’ve seen for ‘Halo 3’ has been astounding, and the game is on track to become the number one gaming title of all time. ‘Halo 3’ is a genuine entertainment phenomenon and our customers have responded very enthusiastically to the release,” said Jill Hamburger, vice president of movies and games at Best Buy.

Developed by Bungie Studios, the “Halo” franchise is exclusive to the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and optimized for the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network. The more than 7 million Xbox LIVE users will get a continually evolving gaming experience with “Halo 3.” Its online multiplayer and cooperative gameplay for Xbox LIVE Gold users, the much-talked-about Saved Films feature that enables players to capture and save their favorite moments on their hard drives, and Forge, an innovative map editor that enables infinite customization options are just some of the new features to experience.

More than 10,000 retailers hosted Midnight Madness events to celebrate the launch of this third installment in the billion-dollar franchise. In New York, Seattle, Miami and Los Angeles, Microsoft and retail partners hosted marquee launch events that featured contests and appearances by local celebrities and professional athletes who are fanatical about the “Halo” franchise, including Ludacris and Zac Efron and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.

More than 1.7 million copies of “Halo 3” were preordered in the United States before a single store opened its doors at midnight, Sept. 25, making this the fasting pre-selling game in history, surpassing the previous record-setting pre-sales of “Halo 2.” Well beyond just a U.S. phenomenon, the launch of “Halo 3” was a worldwide celebration that released in 37 countries and available in 17 languages.

Labels: Halo 3, Microsoft, Xbox 360

Everyone’s Favorite Hero, Master Chief, Prepares for Marquee Appearances On Spike TV, SCI FI Channel and Comedy Central

Spike TV, SCI FI Channel and Comedy Central are giving millions of “Halo” fans a reason to Believe with an exciting and unprecedented look at the most anticipated game in history, “Halo 3”, before its release on Sept. 25. On track to be the biggest day in entertainment history, “Halo 3” is gearing up for exclusive and dedicated programming across a variety of cable networks.

This groundbreaking four-day effort kicks off on Comedy Central, Saturday, Sept. 22, with celebrity-filled coverage from the exclusive “Halo 3” party in Las Vegas, and the unveiling of the Master Chief Madame Tussaude’s Wax Museum figure, during the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards weekend. Not to be outdone, on Sept. 24, Spike TV’s “Game Head” will host a live feed from the “Halo 3” marquee launch event at New York City’s flagship Best Buy store, where scores of fans, celebrities and professional athletes will be on hand to celebrate the launch. The network’s coverage will go well into the night with a full-length program titled “Halo 3: Launched!” following the live ‘midnight madness” coverage on Tuesday, Sept. 25. Continuing Master Chief’s programming appearances, on Sept. 25, “Halo” Nation will dare to put down their Xbox 360 controllers and tune into “Halo 3: Sci vs. Fi” on the SCI FI Channel, which dives deep into the dynamics of creating the renowned “Halo” storyline.

Spike TV

Starting at 9 p.m. EST on Monday, Sept. 24, Spike TV’s, “Game Head,” will broadcast live from the “Halo 3” marquee launch event in New York City (Best Buy, 529 5th Ave) highlighting the festivities that are taking place as the world prepares for the clock to strike midnight. Following the build-up, “Halo 3: Launched!” will showcase the immense movement in society known as “Halo Nation” with super-fans, celebrities, and the everyday gamer sharing testimonials on how Halo has changed their lives. The program will also give fans VIP access to an astounding array of additional “Halo 3” launch activities, including flash mobs at IMAX theaters, and a special performance by Linkin Park at a party held in the game’s honor during the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas.

SCI FI Channel

On Sept. 25, the action shifts to the SCI FI Channel, which will premier “Halo 3: Sci vs. Fi” at 4 p.m. EST, with an encore at 11 p.m. EST. “Halo 3: Sci vs. Fi” takes an academic look at what goes into creating the world’s most popular video game. The program begins by uncovering the “Fi,” or fiction process that went into the game’s world-renowned storyline. Interviews with the writing and producing team at Bungie Studios, as well as with numerous industry luminaries will compare the game’s storyline to other epic sagas from the literary, television and film worlds. The show then switches gears to focus on the “Sci,” or science behind the game. What does it take to turn a great story into the gold standard for the “first-person-shooter?” The viewer will get a first-hand look at how the game evolves from words and sketches to code and eventually the biggest popular culture property of the year. “Halo 3: Sci vs. Fi” is being produced in conjunction with G-Net Media, creators of such video-game focused shows as, “Settle the Score” and “Fresh Baked Video Games.”

Comedy Central

An eclectic list of celebrities will show and tell their “first gameplay experience” with “Halo” on the upcoming Comedy Central “Fully Loaded” feature on Saturday, Sept. 22, starting at 8pm. The program, which is hosted by comedian, Bobby Lee, will air snippets throughout the evening from the Xbox Oasis at Tao Beach, a new extension of Tao nightclub at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. Mega-producer Pharell Williams, comedian Wayne Brady, Fallout Boy’s Pete Wentz, and rap stars Eve and Lil Jon make appearances.

For additional exclusive “Halo 3” entertainment programming, fans can also check out G4 TV on Sept. 25, who will also broadcast a “Halo 3” launch special.

Labels: Halo 3, Microsoft