Bethesda touts 12m unit launch figure for Fallout 4

Bethesda has said that Fallout 4 sold-in 12m units of Fallout 4 for this week’s launch day.

Now, as is always the way nowadays, this requires some interpretation. This is not a launch sales number in the vein of Modern Warfare 3’s 6.5m day one unit sales. Instead, Bethesda has worded it thus:

Fallout 4, is generating record sales at retail outlets and via digital download for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system and PC. Bethesda launched with approximately 12 million units worldwide to meet day one demand, representing sales in excess of $750 million.”

This seems to suggest that 12m is the combination of day one (and presumably pre-order) digital sales and the number of physical copies sent out to retailers.

For comparison, Call of Duty: Black Ops III last week generated revenues of $550m in three days – a sell through number (as in, money spent by consumers). Unit sales data was not revealed. Its predecessor Ghosts, which is considered a low-point for the modern COD series, sold-in (to retailers) $1bn worth of stockto retail on day one. Day one sell through (to customers) of Grand Theft Auto V on day one, however, hit $800m.

Last week Microsoft said Halo 5: Guardians had sold-through $400m in its first week, but its number included games and hardware”.

So yeah, it’s a minefield.

Major retailers have informed Bethesda of the tremendous consumer interest in Fallout 4, with some noting it was the most pre-ordered game this year,” Bethesda added. In addition, the Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition was the fastest-selling collector’s edition of any game in history at leading retailers.

Following the release, Bethesda was advised that launch day sales at some of the leading retail chains were the largest of any game released this year. Bethesda is now shipping more Fallout 4 units to retailers to meet ongoing market demand.”