Assassin’s Creed II: Record Sales
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Article written by Watchful in PS3 News, Xbox 360 News, on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 11:00.
Ubisoft has hailed the “overwhelmingly positive reception” that Assassin’s Creed II has received from both gamers and the press. The game has sold 1.6 million copies worldwide in its first week on sale according to their “internal estimates”.
That is a number that would have sounded more impressive a few weeks ago before a certain FPS sold 1.78m copies in its first week in the UK alone. Of course, the same FPS that has kept ACII off the top of the UK sales charts despite that “overwhelmingly positive reception” in its first week.
Ubisoft compare ACII’s sales to those of the first Assassin’s Creed, released almost exactly two years ago, which still remains the fastest selling new video game IP in the U.S. ACII has outsold the original by 32% which sounds like pretty good going given the world’s economic situation.
The strength of ACII’s performance pales significantly though if you consider the installed base of PS3s and 360s it is selling into. At the launch of Assassin’s Creed there were approximately 8m PS3s and 16m 360s out in the wild.
Now at the launch of ACII the PS3 has roughly trebled its installed base whilst the 360 has roughly doubled its own. So with the combined PS3 and 360 installed base having grown by something of the order of 133%, that 32% first week sales growth for ACII begins to look like a relative failure.
Let us hope for Ubisoft’s sake that the sales of ACII have a ‘long tail’ as alongside James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game it is leading Ubisoft’s attack on the pre-Christmas sales for the HD consoles. Though compared to Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood which sold 900,000 copies between its June release and the end of September perhaps it is no surprise Ubisoft are grateful for ACII’s sales.
So it looks for all the world like Ubisoft trying to put a positive spin on what they must surely be viewing as disappointing first week sales for ACII. Maybe like so many other publishers have done they should have run from the airport screaming, before MW2 burst in all guns blazing, and rescheduled Ezio on a later flight?
Comments
Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.
deadairspace | 25/11/2009 11:04
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224 TSA Points | Member since: Mar 2009
Great stuff, hearing lots of positives about AC II from people who have it – will pick it up when it’s a little cheaper
toutski | 25/11/2009 11:07
Legend
4007 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
While a 32% increase in sales against a 133% increase in install base looks like a relative failure, you have to take into account that 2 years ago there was a lot less top titles to choose from especially on PS3.
Still an encouraging increase when there is such choice at the moment.
flatspikes | 25/11/2009 17:03
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483 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009
I think two years ago the economy may also have been in better shape… this may also help offset the 133% increase in the install base?
Crazy_Del | 25/11/2009 11:37
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397 TSA Points | Member since: Jul 2009
I am glad that Ubisoft sticks to the date of release rather than running away from the airport among other developers that a few great titles should have been out this month. Assassin’s Creed 2 is now my officially favourite game, MW2 can stick it up their **** £45 for 7hrs on VETERAN. AC2 last longer than 7hrs, Brilliant game, huge credit to Ubisoft and loving the Uplay aswell. (I know the MW2 last longer by online modes and multiplayer)
Damigos | 25/11/2009 11:58
* Banned *
-828 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2009
I’m getting that too! The 1.6 million sales will be 1.600.001!
fogcity94 | 25/11/2009 12:04
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240 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2009
I just couldn’t stop playing ACII after I got it. Such a great game.
I can’t wait for number three.
The ending If two is a real WTF moment.
fogcity94 | 25/11/2009 12:05
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240 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2009
I meant to say “of” not “If”
rht992 | 25/11/2009 12:41
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2284 TSA Points | Member since: Apr 2009
Finished this game last night and i have to say it might just take over from uncharted as my favorite game this year. The ending of assassins creed 2 is amazing. Left me completely confused but wanting more. A bit like the end to any lost series
Snebjnr | 25/11/2009 12:57
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1532 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
Thats impressive, looking forward to getting this game.
Looks ace =D
chall5 | 25/11/2009 13:16
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30 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2009
yeah I’m enjoying ACII a lot but I was disappointed with the screen tearing
BadBoyBoogie | 25/11/2009 13:48
Let There Be Rock
2516 TSA Points | Member since: Mar 2009
I’m loving AC2 so far, so it’s good to see it selling ‘relatively’ well !!
carlosfilippsen | 25/11/2009 13:49
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1314 TSA Points | Member since: Mar 2009
Great stuff indeed. I still need to rent this, then i might buy it if I enjoy it as much as the first one.
skibadee | 25/11/2009 13:54
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1970 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2009
no problems with this so far really enjoying it so props AC2.
hairfreax | 25/11/2009 15:53
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582 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
Im loving it and dont want the game to end but thankfully work and stuff gets in the way so it shall be a few more enjoyable hours here and there still to come
SYY2127 | 26/11/2009 02:34
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502 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
I really want this game, and Modern Warfare 2. I think I might even get this game first!
iAvernus | 27/11/2009 01:45
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224 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2009
One of the games on my list! MW2 and this. Fortunately I’m in a position to get both, but won’t be able to play till next year =(…my job sucks. I know both games are going to be what I expect ( been seeing allot of gameplay on youtube )