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Red Dead Redemption rides atop UK charts for third week
Ain't nuffin' gettin' between the Brits and a tumble around the Wild West, partner. Not only is Red Dead Redemption the top selling game in the UK for the third week in a row (despite a 22 percent dip in sales) but, according to Chart-Track, it sold more units than the all-format chart's numbers two through seven combined. Red Dead Redemption's feat is made even more impressive by the knowledge that second place finisher 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa's sales slipped a measly three percent. Rounding out the rest of the top five are UFC 2010: Undisputed, Just Dance (of course!) and Wii Fit Plus. The complete UK top 10 can be found after the break. Source – Red Dead Redemption holds No1 [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
Ubisoft's Dance on Broadway hitting the Great White Wii
Given the crazy sales and, no doubt, small budget of Ubisoft's Just Dance, it seems obvious that the company would follow up with another Wii dancing game. However, the next game in Ubisoft's dance series isn't a simple Just Dance sequel (though we're sure that'll happen too) -- rather than licensing a few pop hits and a few really embarrassing dance songs from the early '90s, the next game is about ... showtunes. Dance on Broadway features a selection of 20 songs from Broadway musicals, including "All That Jazz,""Fame" and "Time Warp" (it's just a jump to the left!) The full track list is available after the break. Ubisoft has announced a June 24 release date for EMEA territories, but none yet for North America. The ESRB rating on the box art would suggest that a North American debut isn't far off.
Ubisoft reports $76.2 million operating loss in fiscal year 2009-10
Ubisoft today released its financial earnings report to investors for fiscal year 2009-10 (ending March 31), reporting sales of €871 million ($1.1 billion) with an operating loss of €60 million ($76.2 million). CEO Yves Guillemot softened investor reaction by saying: "The global economic crisis had a pronounced impact on the video game industry in 2009, which contracted by nearly 10 percent year-on-year. Ubisoft's sales were hit particularly hard, falling 18 percent over the full year despite a stabilization in the second half of the year." Ubi's Q4 sales were up 1.9 percent year-over-year to €210 million ($266.7 million), outpacing internal guidance by €10 million ($12.7 million). The company says the inflated numbers are due partially to "a strong increase in sales of Just Dance," the "ongoing exceptional performance delivered by Assassin's Creed 2 which sold-in nearly 9 million units during the year," and higher-than-expected sales of both Red Steel 2 and Avatar. And Guillemot predicts a sunnier 2010-11. "We forecast a return to profitable growth in 2010-11 with positive cash flow generation, driven by a games line-up that is more closely tailored to growth segments based on strong franchises." He also notes his excitement for new technology driving increased sales, saying, "Lastly, the upcoming launches of new consoles, including Natal and Sony Move, should enable us to capitalize on the technology investments that we have undertaken in recent years and re-energize the casual games segment." Source -- Ubisoft FY2009-10 Sales & Earnings Report (warning: PDF link)
FIFA World Cup leaves Alan in its wake on UK sales chart
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa fiercely protected its top spot on the UK all-formats weekly sales chart for the third week in a row. Alan Wake saw the light of retail with a second place premiere, and according to Chart-Track, totaled only 1,000 fewer units sold than FIFA. Lost Planet 2, which found itself in third, was 12,000 units behind Wake (an Xbox 360 exclusive), despite being on two platforms and going on sale several days earlier than the typical Friday release in the UK. Ubisoft's Wii-exclusive Just Dance tripped and stumbled to fourth place, its lowest position in seven weeks. Could this be the beginning of the end for the surefooted sales star? Unlikely -- unless every Wii owner in the region already has it (which isn't out of the realm of possibility at this point). Finally, EA's Skate 3 ollied into a fifth place debut. The complete UK top 10 can be found after the break. Source – FIFA Just Holds Off Alan Wake And Lost Planet 2 [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
April NPD: Sam Fisher's grim month
Apparently everybody was paying taxes last month instead of buying games, because despite analysts' expectations, sales for April were way down. As you can see below, sales dropped out on every single console that NPD tracked during April, with the Wii taking the biggest hit, down 50 percent from March. Hardware sales overall fell by 37 percent. Software sales didn't do any better -- Splinter Cell Conviction was a bright spot and Super Street Fighter IV just barely made the list (which you can find after the break), but otherwise it was all leftovers from March and previous months. NPD reports that last month's 11 percent industry drop-off was the "worst year-over-year decline...since July '09, and the fourth largest year-over-year percentage decline ever." The industry got rained on -- here's hoping April showers bring some May flowers. -DS: 441K260K (-37%) -Wii: 277K 281K (-50%) -360: 185K 153K (-45%) -PS3: 181K 133K (-42%) -PSP: 66K 54K (-44%) -PS2 sales are no longer being tracked by NPD -- goodbye, old friend. See the top 10 games after the break. (Note: Sales figures for the games ranked six through ten were withheld by NPD for unstated reasons.)
FIFA World Cup maintains defense, holds top spot on UK charts
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa held its top spot on the UK all-formats chart for a second week in a row. Meanwhile, like a good showgirl, Wii-exclusive Just Dance worked its way back into second, pushing Super Street Fighter IV down the stairs -- all the way to sixth. Modern Warfare 2 got back into the fight this week and reached third place, thanks to "energetic promotions centered around the special edition versions," according to Chart-Track. The release of the "Stimulus Package" maps on other platforms probably didn't hurt, either. Wii Fit Plus and Battlefield: Bad Company 2 round out the top five. The complete UK top 10 can be found after the break. Source – FIFA World Cup Scores 2nd Week at No1 [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
Ubisoft begins hunt for Just Dance sequel talent
Ubisoft has just announced that it's about to start combing the globe, looking for the hottest dancers and choreographers that it can include in the follow-up to surprise smash hit Just Dance. As detailed by the press release, the auditions will begin in France before moving to London and, eventually, the US. The game's Facebook page has all the details. [Update: That UK event is fine if you can get there, but in the U.S. branch of the contest, you can actually enter a video online! Check it out here.] Before you get too excited, know that the official Joystiq dance team, Jamaretto, will be participating and -- against contest and federal regulations -- we'll be breaking out all our signature moves like the Grand Crunk Railroad, the Gogurt, the Sprained Cankle and the Spin Around Really Fast. So ... yeah. Bring it.
EA scores with FIFA World Cup on UK charts
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa kicked off to a mighty fine start on the UK all-formats chart this week. Of course, the real news would have been had the footie franchise not scored the top spot during its launch week. Super Street Fighter IV also enjoyed a solid premiere in second place. And, lest you think that the UK had somehow lost the urge to shake its groove thing, the Wii-exclusive Just Dance slipped a mere 5 percent to third from its silver spot last week. Sam Fisher took a terrible tumble from first to fourth this week, with Splinter Cell: Conviction experiencing a 37 percent drop in sales. Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, which rounds out the top five thanks to its PS3 and PC release a few weeks back, saw a 32 percent drop in sales. Yes, Just Dance is an unstoppable beast, with exasperating stamina that rivals that of a chav on an IV drip of Red Bull. Check out the complete UK top 10 after the break. Source – EA's World Cup kicks off [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
Ubisoft holds top UK sales spot with Conviction
Despite sales for Splinter Cell: Conviction and Just Dance slipping 46 and 31 percent, respectively, the two Ubisoft titles maintained their dominant positions on the UK all-formats chart for a second week in a row. The top three didn't shift at all, as the PS3 and PC release of Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City last week helped to keep it in third. Wii Fit Plus stepped up a spot to work out at fourth, while Monster Hunter Tri was stuffed and mounted in fifth place. According to Chart-Track, Tri is the most successful launch the franchise has seen on the isles. The only other new title on the chart last week was Dead to Rights: Retribution, which broke and entered at No. 22. Check out the complete UK top 10 after the break. Source – Ubisoft are No1 and No2 for second week [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
Splinter Cell takes top UK sales spot with 'Conviction'
Just Dance will just have to wait for its turn back at the top of the UK all-formats sales chart, as Splinter Cell: Conviction has debonairly cut in this week. Although it may appear that the two Ubisoft published titles are in a sashay for supremacy, history has taught us that Just Dance will keep gyrating high above the charts long after Sam Fisher's latest adventure holds the bargain bin hostage. The PS3 and PC release of the faaaaa-bulous and leather-heavy Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City sent the title motoring up the charts to third. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 lost an M-COM station and slipped two spots to fourth, while Wii Fit Plus found the power to jump up one spot to round out the top five. Check out the complete UK top 10 after the break. Source – Ubisoft shows Conviction [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
One million Americans have Just Danced
Ubisoft announced last month that its Wii public humiliation simulator Just Dance had sold two million copies worldwide. Now, based on data from the March NPD report, analyst Ben Schachter estimates that one million copies have been sold in the US alone between the game's November release and the end of March. That's ... a lot of people loading up a cover version of "Womanizer" on their TVs. 236,000 of those copies of Dance were purchased just last month in the US. In contrast, Ubisoft's new Wii release, Red Steel 2, moved 50,000 copies (though it was released on March 23, in all fairness). We look forward to the inevitable knockoffs from other publishers. Anyone for a round of Strictly Toe Tappin'? No? How about We Wiggle Rhythmically? Or Dance Dance Revol -- oh ... right. %Gallery-70594%
Just Dance just can't help being tops on UK sales charts
At this point, just give into the madness: Ubisoft's Just Dance is an unstoppable beast on the UK all-formats sales chart. According to Chart-Track, the title has been the top-selling Wii game every week in 2010 (except New Year's week) and boogies down as the third-largest third-party Wii game ever in the UK -- Sega's Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games and Take-Two's Carnival Funfair Games are the top two, respectively. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 regained some ground, crawling back to the second spot, as Just Cause 2 parachuted down another spot to third. Modern Warfare 2 held its ground at fourth as Wii Sports Resort moved up one notch to fifth. The rest of the top ten has some Pokémons sprinkled in there. Check out the complete UK top 10 after the break. Source – Ubisoft Can't Stop Dancing [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
UK charts: Just Cause 2 just defied by Just Dance
Apparently the word "just" resonates deeply with UK buyers, as Just Dance and Just Cause 2 take the top spots on the UK all-formats sales chart, respectively. Just Dance sales rose 56 percent over the Easter holiday, hopping the rhythm title back to the top spot, which it previously held during the second and third weeks of 2010. The international success of Just Dance is absolutely fascinating and we're curious to see its impact on E3 this year. Clones must be in the cards. Just Cause 2 sales glided down 21 percent after riding the top of the charts last week. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 held its ground at third, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Pokémon SoulSilver rounded out the top five. You'll find the complete UK top 10 after the break. Source – Just Dance Just Beats Just Cause [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
Just Dance moves to the beat of two million sold worldwide
We've said it before and we'll say it again: we just don't get it. Somehow, Ubisoft's Just Dance has managed to become a full-fledged phenomenon -- we think two million worldwide sales means it's appropriate to call it that, right? Not only has Ubisoft received the honor that is boatloads of cash, but also the honor of having "the fastest-selling new intellectual property from a third-party publisher on Wii." Perhaps the appropriate course of action isn't to try and dissect this, but to just close our eyes and go with it. Some of the songs aren't that bad, right? Or should we avoid sipping the Kool-Aid and quietly move to the side?
Just Cause 2 grapples to top of UK sales chart
In true revolutionary fashion, Just Cause 2 took the top spot on the UK all-formats sales chart last week. The sandbox title that's more fun when you ignore your objectives beat out Pokémon SoulSilver and HeartGold, which fought to the second and fourth spots, respectively. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 kept on the pressure in third, while the unstoppable Just Dance took fifth. Kratos fell down the charts, like he tumbled out of the good graces of Mt. Olympus, as God of War III went from first to seventh. Check out the complete UK top 10 sales list after the break. Source – Just Cause 2 Swoops in Ahead of Pokémon [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
Kratos stands atop Mt. UK, Metro 2033 has strong sales debut
God of War III quick time–evented the top spot from Final Fantasy XIII on the UK all-formats sales chart last week. Kratos' latest adventure outsold God of War II during its launch week 2.65 to 1, according to Chart-Track. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 retained the second spot for the week, while Final Fantasy XIII sales slipped 80 percent to summon third. Where's the stalwart Just Dance, you ask? Why, it's in fourth place, of course. Surprisingly, THQ's Metro 2033, another quality title from the reinvented publisher, premiered in fifth -- a strong debut week for the post-apocalyptic dark horse, which had previously been a faint blip on the Q1 2010 radar. Source – God of War 3 rules supreme [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
Final Fantasy XIII tops UK sales chart, Just Dance shows stamina
In its first week at retail, Final Fantasy XIII charged up the UK sales charts like a Lightning bolt, becoming the "fastest selling" game of the year -- a record set by Bad Company 2 just last week. According to Chart-Track, the console sales split for the latest edition in Square Enix's flagship series was fairly even, with a 54 to 46 percent split on PS3 and Xbox 360, respectively. Bad Company 2's sales slipped 38 percent last week, bringing EA DICE's fantastic multiplayer title (wait, there's single player, too?) down to second place. And, in third -- there it is: Just Dance. The game is unstoppable and has the stamina of a six-year-old hyped up on Pixy Stix. Like we noted last week, Just Dance just keeps going and going. We're just waiting to see when this epic sugar rush wears off. Source – Lucky XIII for Square Enix [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
February NPD: Xbox 360 and BioShock 2 sales heat up
Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg is thrilled with February's NPD numbers, and for good reason. The Xbox 360 took the top spot in home console sales last month, despite not being a Wii. According to the NPD, it's the first time this has happened since the Halo 3 launch in 2007. BioShock 2 seems to have had something to do with the boost, with the Xbox 360 version topping the software charts (and the PS3 version absent from the top ten). Other notable software milestones: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is now the third best-selling game of all time, and Just Dance seems to have made a better pact with Satan than even Dante's Inferno did. See the software top ten after the break. -DS: 613K191K (45%) -360: 422K89K (27%) -Wii: 398K68K (-15%) -PS3: 360K83K (30%) -PSP: 133K33K (33%) -PS2: 102K60K (143%)
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is new king of UK sales charts
It's debatable whether or not the server crashing this past week was a symptom of Battlefield: Bad Company 2's success. What isn't debatable is the game's explosive debut on the UK's Chart-Track all-formats chart. The multiplayer-centric shooter, which we've been thoroughly enjoying, outsold the original Bad Company's launch week numbers almost 3 to 1. According to Chart-Track, BC2 is the "best ever launch for any game released this early in the year." Interestingly, 53 percent of BC2 sales went to the Xbox 360 version, followed by 31 percent and 16 percent of sales for the PS3 and PC, respectively. (The game also topped the three, individual platform charts.) Of course, lurking in the corner was Just Dance. The game will not go away and continues to stay in the top three week after week after week. Last week's top game, Heavy Rain, slipped down to fourth and the battle of Aliens vs. Predator held onto third. Check out the complete top ten after the break. Source – Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is a born leader [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
Heavy Rain buoyed to top of UK sales charts
Consumers in the UK poured out the pounds for PS3's Heavy Rain last week, according to Chart-Track's all-formats chart. The adventure game took the hill from Aliens vs. Predator, which slipped down one spot. Meanwhile, Just Dance kept doing its cha-cha of endurance and took third. Nintendo's Wii Fit Plus got a second wind (or a big shipment to the region) and overtook Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 after moving up five spots and into fourth. Finally, Napoleon: Total War marched in at #12 while White Knight Chronicles began its quest at #35. Source – Heavy Rain storms the charts [GFK Chart-Track] Source – Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]
