Halo 3 will help us sell consoles, says Microsoft

[wraggster]

Microsoft's chief financial officer, Chris Liddell, has confirmed that the company expects platform exclusive Halo 3 to boost Xbox 360 sales when the game hits the shops later this year.

Speaking in a conference call following the publication of Microsoft's Q3 financial results, Liddell said, "Halo 3 is clearly going to have a positive impact in two senses. One, it gives us more confidence in the number of consoles we think we're going to be able to sell next year.

"In terms of the direct impact, obviously it's a first-party product so it's reasonably profitable from our point of view, and it will be several hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue next year."

As confirmed last month, Halo 3 is due to launch in the autumn. A key product in Microsoft's 2007 software line-up, it's highly likely to boost Xbox 360 sales - which decreased during Q3 and caused a drop in revenues for the company's entertainment and devices division.

"Sales during the quarter in terms of sell-in were around 500,000 consoles. Sell-through was higher than that, so our inventory levels did come down to normal levels," Liddell said.

"We did see a good inventory movement during the course of the quarter."

When asked if there were any competitive changes during the quarter with regard to Sony and Nintendo, Liddell replied, "No, nothing of significance. We're obviously very happy from a competitive point of view with the response in the marketplace, but nothing of significance."

via gibiz

[Shadowblind]

Well thats sorta obvious, Halo 3 will probably be the cause of another million Xboxs selling.

[BrooksyX]

I wouldn't be suprised if 1 million 360s sold right after Halo 3 launches. I have a feeling that it is going to be that good of a game. This winter is going to be great for M$ and 360 owners too.

[ICE]

if halo will sell 360's what will metroid 3, smash bros braw,l and mario galaxy do for the wii lol?

anywho of course it will sell consoles.. the halo franchise is HUGE.

[Video_freak]

Not sure Metroid and SSB are as big as Halo, but Mario Galaxy sure will help the Wii in the same way. Can't wait for Halo 3, especially if it really is the last Halo game. So many things will be revealed...

[ICE]

Not sure Metroid and SSB are as big as Halo,

maybe not alone but combined yes. all my friends who dont have a wii are getting one because of SSB. we still play melee to this day.

anywho back on topic now lol.

[Shadowblind]

Geez...Gears of War and Halo are most likely the two biggest franchises to have come and will come o_0

[gdf]

this won't be last halo. might be last one in the storyline of MC, but there will be others. they will call them stupoid subtitles (like "Halo: Carnage" or "Halo: Battlezone") or maybe "Halo: ZERO" or "Halo: X"

[SnesR0X]

this won't be last halo. might be last one in the storyline of MC, but there will be others. they will call them stupoid subtitles (like "Halo: Carnage" or "Halo: Battlezone") or maybe "Halo: ZERO" or "Halo: X"

or Halo Wars....

[briyan]

When HALO 3 comes out there will be a sudden influx of used PS3's flooding EBGames, Gamestop and the like..it's Microsoft's answer to the ever indefinite release of MGS4. i mean really, if that was to come out for the 360, the game would have been out last christmas. the PS3 is dragging a$$. although the 360 isn't that light-footed either. mine died last week but....

...Hooray for the X-Clamp replacement method! Big ups to lawdawg!