Thu, Nov 06, 2008 | 12:52 GMT

4.7 million copies of Fallout 3 shipped in launch week

Bethesda’s confirmed that 4.7 million units of Fallout 3 have shipped in the game’s first week on sale.

The amount of stock means muchos cash at retail, assuming it all sells: $300 million’s worth, in fact.

Press release after the link.

Bethesda Softworks Announces Successful Launch of Fallout 3
$300 Million Worldwide Launch Across Three Platforms

November 6, 2008 (ROCKVILLE, MD) – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax Media company, announced that its hit title, Fallout® 3 has enjoyed record sales at launch, reflecting the huge consumer demand for the game. Approximately 4.7 million units of Fallout 3 were shipped worldwide last week for the Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, and Games for Windows® representing retail sales in excess of $300 million.

Released on October 28 in North America at midnight store openings in over 2,000 retail outlets nationwide jammed with fans eager to get the game, Fallout 3 quickly became one of the industry’s top sellers around the world. For example, in the United Kingdom where it was not released until Friday, October 31 the rapid sales of Fallout 3 have led the game to be ranked number one among all video games, as well as being the number one game on each of its three platforms.

Hailed as one of the most anticipated games of 2008, Fallout 3 received a 10 out of 10 review score from Official Xbox Magazine, a result then repeated around the world with perfect scores by some of the industry’s most influential and respected critics including: Gamespy, GamePro, UGO, the Associated Press, MSN, The Washington Post, Guardian, FHM, Scripps Howard, G4-TV, The Toronto Star and Eurogamer. MSNBC’s review offered the observation that it viewed “Fallout as a no-brainer for game of the year.” The Daily Star in the UK echoed that conclusion, saying “You can hold all bets on game of the year – I think we have a winner.”

The successful launch of Fallout 3 by Bethesda Softworks follows the success of The Elder Scrolls® IV: Oblivion®, which remains one of the highest scoring games ever published and earned “Game of the Year” honors in 2006. Fallout 3 has been featured on over 100 magazine covers across the globe and is available in eight languages. The initial retail shipments of Fallout 3 included both the Regular version of the game as well as a limited “Collector’s Edition.” A Fallout 3 Official Game Guide in both the regular and collector’s edition versions has also been a strong seller. Fallout 3 is slated for release in Japan on December 4th.

Fallout 3 features one of the most realized game worlds ever created. Set more than 200 years following a nuclear war, you can create any kind of character you want and explore the open wastes of Washington, D.C. however you choose. Every minute is a fight for survival as you encounter Super Mutants, Ghouls, Raiders, and other dangers of the Wasteland.

Fallout® 3 has been rated Mature by the ESRB. For more information on Fallout 3, visit http://fallout.bethsoft.com and www.prepareforthefuture.com.

About Bethesda Softworks
Bethesda Softworks, part of the ZeniMax Media Inc. family of companies, is a premier developer and worldwide publisher of interactive entertainment software and has produced numerous award-winning titles, most recently with 2006 PC and Xbox 360™ Game of the Year and RPG of the Year, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion®, and the 2002 PC and Xbox® Game of the Year and RPG of the Year, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind®. Among Bethesda’s more popular franchises are The Elder Scrolls® series and Fallout®, as well as its licensed properties, such as Star Trek®. Its product line spans the sports, racing, RPG, strategy, and action genres. For more information on Bethesda Softworks’ products, visit www.bethsoft.com.

Fallout® 3 © 2008 Bethesda Softworks LLC, a ZeniMax Media company. Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, ZeniMax and related logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of ZeniMax Media Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Fallout, Prepare for the Future and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Bethesda Softworks LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. All Rights Reserved.

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17 comments

rauper
06/11/08, 12:49 pm

That’s a bloody big shipment. Wonder what it sold-through…

morriss
06/11/08, 12:51 pm

patlike
06/11/08, 12:57 pm

I’d be surprised if they didn’t get through most of it, tbh. This and Gears are no brainers for the core 360 market.

Psychotext
06/11/08, 1:03 pm

Suppose you have to remember that those 4.7m copies cover three platforms. There’s no way it could do anything like that on just the 360 (for instance).

Tonka
06/11/08, 1:03 pm

Massive

patlike
06/11/08, 1:06 pm

I’d be interested to see the split. Betcha they’re aiming for 360 in the US as a primary target.

Psychotext
06/11/08, 1:13 pm

First week UK sales looked like this:

“‘Fallout 3′ was launched on Xbox 360 (55%), PS3 (28%) and PC (17%) and tops each of its individual charts this week with the Xbox 360 launch outselling that of Bethesda’s critically acclaimed ‘Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion’ by 57%.”

patlike
06/11/08, 1:28 pm

Shame we’ll only get a few days’ figures in the NPD.

Psychotext
06/11/08, 1:37 pm

A hardcore game like this will be heavily front loaded anyway so I doubt it will make a difference. A bigger issue will be missing the steam sales for the PC.

#10

JonFE
06/11/08, 2:11 pm

One of these 4.7 million should be in my hands before long. Hurry up Mr. Postman