Not only is gaming mainstream, it's also more popular than most of the uninitiated believe. In the UK, the numbers say gaming is even more popular than music, films, and…well, any other entertainment industry.
Thanks to a Capcom press release this morning (and posted at the MusicAlly blog ), Capcom says Resident Evil 5 "outsold every item on the UK singles chart," and even managed to top the total sales to date of legendary band U2's new album…and it only took the weekend for this to happen. Said Capcom's Leo Tan on the subject:
"This is proof if any were needed that games are THE entertainment medium of choice in 2009. Thanks to its strong storyline, amazing graphics and compelling co-op play, Resident Evil 5 provides hundreds of hours of entertainment at a relatively low cost – and its this value for money that consumers are increasingly responding to."
We've already reported that RE5 has shipped four million copies worldwide, and this press release is entitled, "Game Dramatically Outsells Singles, Albums, Films – Games Now Most Popular Entertainment Medium." Analysts had predicted that game sales would eventually outstrip sales of music and movies in 2009, and RE5 has already made that prediction come true. In addition to the aforementioned stats, RE5 also "grossed more than the top 5 movies (COMBINED) in the UK" this past weekend, and to date, the acclaimed RE franchise has sold over 40 million copies worldwide.
Here in North America, we still love our movies and music, but the games industry has been topping both in terms of profit for quite a few years now. You can't really call this a "changing of the guard," as the "change" started back around the turn of the century. But hey, it probably comes as news to those who haven't played a game since Pac-Man , right?
Related Game(s): Resident Evil 5
Thats because it rains more here…
I don't care if RE sells 15000000 million copies, it's GOW for the PS3, not RE.
::Playing RE0 for GC::
im not suprised the music industry is really suffering, i havent bought an album since 2006!
I didnt get RE5, its not a real RE Game is it, actually i figured out the other day why i dont think horror games are as effective, they dont have static camera angles, i say chop the over the shoulder control system, its destorying everything, I played MGS2 last night, the control system is phenominal compaired to MGS4.
I just bought Athlete's "Vehicles & Animals" album a couple weeks ago. And a couple weeks before that I got The Decemberists' "The Crane Wife." I like supporting the artists I'm into.
People can feel free to steal from T-Pain and Rihanna all they want, though.
-Arvis
like some of dmc's camera's? to be honest i hate that, when i turn a corner it makes you run into something cuz all of sudden you're aiming somewhere else, it just seems silly. I'd rather have my own control of being able to use the camera, but i wish they made it so you couldn't see around corners before going out. it worked for old games tho, but then again that's what we were mainly used to then
We love games here in the UK.
But I think the main issue here is that people download music and films, whereas it is much more difficult to do this with games. Well, new ones anyway. It is not like they get leaked on the internet before the release.
You sure about that? RE5 was available at least 4 days before its release on torrent sites.
Well, with specialty music games like Guitar Hero: Metallica and Aerosmith, the cream of the crop do have the ability to get on board and make a splash since yeah everyone just downloads their music now. Lots of people download their movies too, but I still say this is rock solid proof our old fave habit is the king of entertainment.
They got it right in the UK. No bitching about tank controls, just straight-up gamers. This game rid me my Killzone 2-online addiction. Thanks Capcom.
You Capcom whore, repent and go play RE2 again!@$
It's not bitching, more like bellyaching. We hoped the stop and pop controls were fixed.
RE5 sells millions and millions yet ICO can't even crack a million, I swear there is no god.
Seriously there isn't.
well living in the uk i can say, there aren't many big happenings in the world of music or movies at the mo. none at all. some good films, but they've all been out for a while and there is no new album really. i think U2's new album, no line on the horizon, but that's it really.
I am a TOTAL CAPCOM WHORE. Shoot I was playing Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers(NES) and loving every minute of it as a small child.
We all know Resident Evil 2 was the greatest but that isn't stopping its little sister (RE5)from shining on.
Last edited by ZubraZap on 3/19/2009 4:37:17 PM
@Limited
I can't believe you don't like RE5 and your playing Zero! Its in the same vein as Resi Zero my friend but not a replacement. Holy Brewskis I loved Resident Evil Zero. Sheva and Becky are my fav chars in the series now.
@Zubra
It doesn't feel like a RE game at all, they might as well have given it a different name. I understand people like innovation (Ben) but this is a step in the WRONG direction IMO. I'd much rather have poor dialogue, poor graphics, and outdated controls (not that RE5 has controls that far removed from the originals) if it meant playing a game that actually felt scary and involved some sense of a survival horror game.
RE5 is a great game compared to what is offered this generation thus far but I don't think it is the best RE game or even the 4th.
RE5 is a great game. It's ALREADY expected to sell a million+ copies.
@limited
i doubt if you are a gamer or just a gay person. if you don't like re5, then i don't know what games do you like and i don't care. i'm gonna play RE5 as soon as i beat Killzone 2.
The fact that you imply homosexuals don't enjoy RE5 shows how ignorant you are. Plus the fact that your entire rant is laced with the sentence structure equivalent to a 2nd grader's.
I never said I didn't like RE5, you're an idiot.
Last edited by LimitedVertigo on 3/19/2009 5:43:31 PM
@limited
i NEVER said or imply that homosexuals don't enjoy RE5. I'm just implying the word "gay" to you because you don't seem to appreciate how good RE5 is. just face it, RE5 is gonna sell millions and millions of copies so just stop whining about it so no one will call you a gay.
Actually you did and you're just going to continue making yourself look foolish if you continue to post comments like you have thus far.
you're level of understanding resembles like an ignorant person. you're the one who keeps on whining and whining on RE5 selling millions of copies like a stupid bastard. don't include other people cuz i'm only referring to you. just an advice, just stop whining because you're just going to continue making yourself more foolish and more gay…
You're now on my ignore list, congratulations.
I must agree with LimitedVertigo, and I don't think RE5 really lived up to all the hype that was anticipated by gamers and people in game stores.
It just wasn't as good as RE4 in my opinion.
i agree with Vertigo, its a great action game but not true to the series at all, and just for the current debate, im not a homosexual (or homophobic surpisingly enough). Though Capcom have givent Me Street Fighter IV so i can get over it.