Redmond, Wash. - Microsoft announced on Thursday that "Halo 3" for its Xbox 360 video game console racked up over $300 million in sales during its first week, which figures as one of the biggest entertainment product launches of all time.

The game generated $170 million in the first 24 hours after its release on Sept. 25, which included more than 1.7 million pre-orders.

"Halo is truly a cultural phenomenon, and the launch of Halo 3 is an important milestone for Xbox 360 and for video games as entertainment and as an art form," said Microsoft chairman Bill Gates.

"Halo 3 embodies our vision for the future of entertainment, where some of the world's greatest creative minds will deliver a new generation of interactive storytelling."

The company also cited initial reports from retailers indicating that Xbox 360 sales more than doubled during the game's first week on sale, compared with the week before.

Additionally, more than 2.7 million gamers, or nearly one-third of the 7 million Xbox Live members, played the game online during its first week.

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http://www.bungie.net

http://www.halo3.com