Like one of “Halo 3?s” alien monsters, local video game retailers are drooling over the killing they expect to make with the game?s hotly anticipated release next week.
Microsoft?s Xbox 360 game is the third installment in the popular series of first-person shooter titles, pitting a super soldier against alien hordes ? and huge customer demand against stores? ability to keep up.
“I would highly anticipate the lines wrapping around the building,” said Robbie Baldwin, spokesman for Best Buy?s Baltimore/Washington district. “In the store, we have people who talk about it nonstop. I think it?s going to be one of the biggest video game releases of all time.”
The game is expected to be one of Best Buy?s best-selling titles of the year, according to company spokesman Brian Lucas, though the company does not release pre-order numbers or list separate video game sales numbers.
“We?re doing what we can to capture some of that excitement and let fans have their day,” Baldwin said.
Retailers hope for even bigger sales figures than the previous installment, “Halo 2.” Released in November 2004, that game posted $125 million in sales, a total of 2.38 million games, within 24 hours of hitting the streets, according to Microsoft data, and to date has sold more than 8 million units.
Several different versions of “Halo 3” should boost those figures. In addition to the basic $60 game, stores will offer a metal-cased two-disc limited edition for $70, and a $130 “Legendary Edition” with a replica helmet case and storyboard art.
The game itself might be the cheap part for some customers. Big releases such as “Halo” inspire some to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars in upgraded home theater equipment to make their $60 video game look better, Baldwin said. “It?s almost backward. They realize, oh wait, I need a better television for this.”
