StarCraft 2 sells 1m day-one, 1.5m in first 48 hours, roughly 620K in the US
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Blizzard just trumpeted the sales numbers for StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty, the first installment in its long-time-coming sequel to the strategy classic. The numbers: "a day-one sales milestone of more than 1 million copies sold worldwide" and "1.5 million copies in its first 48 hours." The context: It's already the "best-selling PC game of 2010 within its first 24 hours of availability" and now holds the "record for fastest-selling strategy game of all time." With a global launch spanning five continents and over a dozen countries, not to mention a dozen years of anticipation, solid sales were to be expected.
A source inside Blizzard confirmed the information with Joystiq, saying that approximately 1.2m StarCraft 2 accounts had been activated – not necessarily sold! – worldwide as of 4pm PT on the 28th, less than two days after the game went on sale. Roughly 620K of those accounts were in the US. Now that we're a full week out from launch, it's anyone's guess how many copies have been sold by now ... though we imagine if sales keep up, it won't take long for Blizzard to share its success again.
A source inside Blizzard confirmed the information with Joystiq, saying that approximately 1.2m StarCraft 2 accounts had been activated – not necessarily sold! – worldwide as of 4pm PT on the 28th, less than two days after the game went on sale. Roughly 620K of those accounts were in the US. Now that we're a full week out from launch, it's anyone's guess how many copies have been sold by now ... though we imagine if sales keep up, it won't take long for Blizzard to share its success again.
Reader Comments (64)
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 10:13AM Themoreyouknow said
Meh, a new Age of Empires (AoE 2 style) would sell faster. AoE 3 noobified any RTS elements.
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Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 11:08AM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
@Themoreyouknow
Did Microsoft 'ensemble' a new studio that I don't know about that is making a new Age of Empires?
Too soon?
Sorry.
Reply
Did Microsoft 'ensemble' a new studio that I don't know about that is making a new Age of Empires?
Too soon?
Sorry.
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 12:38PM S0lid Sn4ke said
@Themoreyouknow
I just can't believe this. You call yourself "Themoreyouknow" when you're obviously the biggest dumbass on the planet when it comes to gaming.
Reply
I just can't believe this. You call yourself "Themoreyouknow" when you're obviously the biggest dumbass on the planet when it comes to gaming.
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 1:05PM Ashitaka said
@Captain Planet Planeteer Power
Robot Entertainment?
http://kotaku.com/5582009/ex+age-of-empires-devs-working-on-microsoft-strategy-game ?
Sorry.
I'd buy a new RTS like AoE2 or AoM in a heartbeat. SC2? Bah, whatever.
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Robot Entertainment?
http://kotaku.com/5582009/ex+age-of-empires-devs-working-on-microsoft-strategy-game ?
Sorry.
I'd buy a new RTS like AoE2 or AoM in a heartbeat. SC2? Bah, whatever.
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 10:16AM CaptainProtonX said
All that's left is to squeeze in a Guitar Hero game...somehow....somewhere.
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Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 12:03PM Chronomaster said
@Temidien Activision will sue.
Then Konami will sue.
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Then Konami will sue.
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 10:16AM GiantGamer said
The sales all happened before the launch. I don't know a single gamer who bought this game on the first day, my friends all pre-purchased it.
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Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 6:06PM Fata1Stryke said
@The Tim
I just glanced at the picture and I swear I thought that's what they actually were. I didn't really stop and think about how ridiculous that would be at the time.
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I just glanced at the picture and I swear I thought that's what they actually were. I didn't really stop and think about how ridiculous that would be at the time.
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 10:33AM Matrixxxx said
I never played SC1. Is this type of game any fun, I mean the cut scenes look incredible but I am told the in-game action does not resemble those cut scenes in the least. Would it be hard for me to pick up how to play the game if I didn't play the first game?
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Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 10:41AM shadowhowl1900 said
@Matrixxxx
it a balanced RTS game really and no it wouldnt be hard if u picked it up right now. The game's controls are very easy to get used to if ur a casual ofcourse.
There is always macros and keyboard shortcuts for those hard-core players as well.
Overall, the single player is really good and varied compared to the others where u build a base, make units and destroy the other base for all the missions.
Should u pick it up? well its honestly up to you. If you like playing RTS, this is definate pick-up for you.
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it a balanced RTS game really and no it wouldnt be hard if u picked it up right now. The game's controls are very easy to get used to if ur a casual ofcourse.
There is always macros and keyboard shortcuts for those hard-core players as well.
Overall, the single player is really good and varied compared to the others where u build a base, make units and destroy the other base for all the missions.
Should u pick it up? well its honestly up to you. If you like playing RTS, this is definate pick-up for you.
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 10:48AM Temidien said
@Matrixxxx
Personally, I would pick up SC1 to see if you even like the gameplay of RTS games. Last I checked, Amazon had the Battlechest (SC1, expansion, and the player's guides to both) for $10.
From what I hear, you'll probably want to play through the first campaign to properly enjoy SC2. I'm currently playing SC1 for that reason (and to wait for a price drop in SC2).
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Personally, I would pick up SC1 to see if you even like the gameplay of RTS games. Last I checked, Amazon had the Battlechest (SC1, expansion, and the player's guides to both) for $10.
From what I hear, you'll probably want to play through the first campaign to properly enjoy SC2. I'm currently playing SC1 for that reason (and to wait for a price drop in SC2).
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 11:00AM Temidien said
@Aquaryon
I know it'll take the release of Part 2 for a significant price drop to occur, but I have hope that CAGing daily will yield some deal (hell, saving $5-10 would make it worth it for me as I'm between jobs).
As it stands I need to play through SC1 anyway (never finished it back in the day), so that'll satisfy me for now.
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I know it'll take the release of Part 2 for a significant price drop to occur, but I have hope that CAGing daily will yield some deal (hell, saving $5-10 would make it worth it for me as I'm between jobs).
As it stands I need to play through SC1 anyway (never finished it back in the day), so that'll satisfy me for now.
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 10:37AM BigFat IsBack said
and people said it was more anticipated then Halo Reach?? I guarantee Halo Reach beats those numbers, hell didnt Halo 3 beat those numbers?
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Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 10:54AM darkazure said
@BigFat IsBack
Probably. But then again, there are two more versions (zerg/protoss) that will most likely sell the same. Also, from any indication from the first game, this game will sell decently and be updated (Balance Tweaks/ exploits) for the next 12 years.... and I'll be playing it on multiplayer until the SC3, just like I did for SC.
And the next generation PCs will be backwards compatible to play it. ;-)
Reply
Probably. But then again, there are two more versions (zerg/protoss) that will most likely sell the same. Also, from any indication from the first game, this game will sell decently and be updated (Balance Tweaks/ exploits) for the next 12 years.... and I'll be playing it on multiplayer until the SC3, just like I did for SC.
And the next generation PCs will be backwards compatible to play it. ;-)
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 11:01AM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
@BigFat IsStupid
Do you realize how much 1.5 million units is? Do you realize how many weeks it takes for your average game to hit those numbers?
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Do you realize how much 1.5 million units is? Do you realize how many weeks it takes for your average game to hit those numbers?
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 11:14AM BigFat IsBack said
@BigFat IsBack
oh trust me, i realize how much of an accomplishment it is to sell 1.5 mil in a day, but at the same time those aren't "most anticipated game of 2010" numbers like alot of the SC2 players were claiming.
"Last I checked, Reach is a FPS not a RTS, unless you have an inside source saying otherwise.... "
what does this have to do with anything? i was simply making a reference to all the hot headed SC2 fanboys who got all upset because bungie call Halo Reach the most anticipated game of 2010
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oh trust me, i realize how much of an accomplishment it is to sell 1.5 mil in a day, but at the same time those aren't "most anticipated game of 2010" numbers like alot of the SC2 players were claiming.
"Last I checked, Reach is a FPS not a RTS, unless you have an inside source saying otherwise.... "
what does this have to do with anything? i was simply making a reference to all the hot headed SC2 fanboys who got all upset because bungie call Halo Reach the most anticipated game of 2010
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 11:17AM Chronomaster said
@BigFat IsBack It's pretty pompous to declare yourself the most anticipated game of 2010 without a bunch of media citation. I'm fairly certain a sequel that has been ten years from its last incarnation would also fit that definition of high desire.
And if we were going on sales, then the claim should be made after the initial sale.
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And if we were going on sales, then the claim should be made after the initial sale.
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 11:22AM BigFat IsBack said
@Chronomaster
"And if we were going on sales, then the claim should be made after the initial sale."
OK ill except that.
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"And if we were going on sales, then the claim should be made after the initial sale."
OK ill except that.
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 12:28PM killer rin said
@BigFat IsBack
STFU....
God your making Halo Fans seem bad.
And this is the Fastest Selling "RTS" Of all time, Halo is an "FPS" Get it, Good
Reply
STFU....
God your making Halo Fans seem bad.
And this is the Fastest Selling "RTS" Of all time, Halo is an "FPS" Get it, Good
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 12:30PM Hunter141072 said
@BigFat IsBack
do you have ANY idea how much this game is selling?? no, of course not that´s why you are jumping at halo-dad to defend you.
Halo can only DREAM with this numbers, keep in mind that when your halo game gets obsolete because you need to buy a brand new xbox 460 ( maybe in 5 more years so don't worry) this game will still be selling for this pc. generation and the next one and the next one, even if the price drops to 3 dollars you can´t really compare how much money this game is going to make, and i´m happy. This shows what the pc games market is all about, and shows what piracy can really do when you have a QUALITY product... nothing.
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do you have ANY idea how much this game is selling?? no, of course not that´s why you are jumping at halo-dad to defend you.
Halo can only DREAM with this numbers, keep in mind that when your halo game gets obsolete because you need to buy a brand new xbox 460 ( maybe in 5 more years so don't worry) this game will still be selling for this pc. generation and the next one and the next one, even if the price drops to 3 dollars you can´t really compare how much money this game is going to make, and i´m happy. This shows what the pc games market is all about, and shows what piracy can really do when you have a QUALITY product... nothing.
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 1:17PM BigFat IsBack said
@killer rin
you are A idiot.
What does the genre of the games have anything to do with this?
uh yeah that right . . . . nothing.
genre has no effect on sales data.
get it, got it, good.
Reply
you are A idiot.
What does the genre of the games have anything to do with this?
uh yeah that right . . . . nothing.
genre has no effect on sales data.
get it, got it, good.
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 1:53PM philmcfail said
@BigFat IsBack
Are you daft? FPSes are way more mainstream than RTSes to the general audience of gamers(shooters in general), so it probably might yield higher sales in the time being (first month or two after released). However, Star Craft 2 is doing good on its own for a sequel to a game that's ten years old and that had probably been out of peoples radar for quite some time. And its doing pretty well for a game that isn't a shooter. Genres do affect the sale of a game, the popularity/oversaturation of the FPS market is way too obvious.
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Are you daft? FPSes are way more mainstream than RTSes to the general audience of gamers(shooters in general), so it probably might yield higher sales in the time being (first month or two after released). However, Star Craft 2 is doing good on its own for a sequel to a game that's ten years old and that had probably been out of peoples radar for quite some time. And its doing pretty well for a game that isn't a shooter. Genres do affect the sale of a game, the popularity/oversaturation of the FPS market is way too obvious.
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 11:14AM Chronomaster said
@rullers Actually, SC2 HASN'T been treated like a normal PC game (see: Lack of LAN, Online Play Region Lockout, restrictions on modification that don't come from engine limits). It's really just a legacy and marketing that's selling the game up front.
Saying nothing of its own merits, but the blitzkrieg sales are probably purely momentum.
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Saying nothing of its own merits, but the blitzkrieg sales are probably purely momentum.
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 12:35PM Hunter141072 said
@rullers
yeah, i know more than one xbox title which has sold those numbers in 4 months and everybody calls it A HIT but because is a p.c. game then it must be momentum, yeah right. How idiot should a person must be to waste money on a "legacy" no Mather if the game stinks??? street figther has a huge legacy too, but didn´t sell half of this, why?? because capcom really pushed the limit of the people by selling the same game with a brand new hat. And the momentum for that one was pretty useless...
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yeah, i know more than one xbox title which has sold those numbers in 4 months and everybody calls it A HIT but because is a p.c. game then it must be momentum, yeah right. How idiot should a person must be to waste money on a "legacy" no Mather if the game stinks??? street figther has a huge legacy too, but didn´t sell half of this, why?? because capcom really pushed the limit of the people by selling the same game with a brand new hat. And the momentum for that one was pretty useless...
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 2:49PM Chronomaster said
@(Unverified) For being the same game with a brand new hat, people sure didn't take any exception to it being the star attraction at EVO this year. Around 1800 people in one tournament just for one game? I can't think of any sport that has that many people sporting in one circuit. SF does carry a legacy, and momentum.
I never said the game(s) were bad, either, or that it was because it was a PC game that gives it an edge. Just that initial sales are by momentum. So far, the reviews are good, despite the negative press that Activision has put out against itself, but that isn't what carried the initial sales. Expectation did.
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I never said the game(s) were bad, either, or that it was because it was a PC game that gives it an edge. Just that initial sales are by momentum. So far, the reviews are good, despite the negative press that Activision has put out against itself, but that isn't what carried the initial sales. Expectation did.
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 11:10AM Osnaz said
So slow Joystiq..
http://kotaku.com/5602981/activision-boss-loses-legal-battle-over-sex-discrimination-case
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http://kotaku.com/5602981/activision-boss-loses-legal-battle-over-sex-discrimination-case
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 11:18AM Temidien said
@Osnaz
I know, right? Joystiq is soooooooo slow about posting breaking news. You should totally start your own gaming blog and repost news items from Kotaku!! I'm sure we'd all leave Joystiq and start following your blog instead! :D
/sarcasm
(Ya know, there is a Tips button at the top right of this page... you could, you know, use it instead of bitching in the comments...)
Reply
I know, right? Joystiq is soooooooo slow about posting breaking news. You should totally start your own gaming blog and repost news items from Kotaku!! I'm sure we'd all leave Joystiq and start following your blog instead! :D
/sarcasm
(Ya know, there is a Tips button at the top right of this page... you could, you know, use it instead of bitching in the comments...)
Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 11:34AM SecrtAgentMan said
Bring out Half Life 3 or HL2:E3, heck even TF3 would stomp the crap outta SC2.
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Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 11:57AM Drakkenfyre said
@SecrtAgentMan
Going into this, I am a TF2 fan.
There is no way either if those would top it. Sorry, no, you don't beat the sequel to a game that people have been wanting for 12 years.
And there would be no point in a TF3. Why make a new game when people are still playing the previous one that you are still updating and providing content for? This isn't Modern Warfare where you need yearly updates to "keep raking in the millions". The fact that three years later it's stll in the top-seller list should tell you something.
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Going into this, I am a TF2 fan.
There is no way either if those would top it. Sorry, no, you don't beat the sequel to a game that people have been wanting for 12 years.
And there would be no point in a TF3. Why make a new game when people are still playing the previous one that you are still updating and providing content for? This isn't Modern Warfare where you need yearly updates to "keep raking in the millions". The fact that three years later it's stll in the top-seller list should tell you something.
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