After only two weeks, Gears of War 2 has already dropped from the top of the Xbox 360’s most-played list (according to Major Nelson's Live data). After debuting at numero uno, Gears was the first game since GTA IV to knock Call of Duty 4 and Halo 3 from their incredibly long lasting, rotating perch. While GTA IV lasted three updates as the 360’s most-played game, though, it looks like Gears of War 2 couldn’t even last one; Halo 3 has reclaimed its status as King.
“That’s just because the game is short and people are already done with it,” I’m sure some of you are saying. Well, the first Gears of War was the most-played game for a full year, until a certain Master Chief title took over shop.
So why Gears of War 2’s quick decline? It could be any number of reasons. First, now that gamers have other choices for online play (like Halo and CoD) they may be playing the more reliable, less laggy/bug-ridden choices. Gears of War 2 is a fantastic game, but if you believe its online is a vast improvement over the original’s mess -- or even a solid, overall reliable online experience -- you’d be deluding yourself. Doesn't help that the game suffered from some pretty excrutiating matchmaking lengths until the last patch, either.
It’s also worth mentioning that the game very well could have been third, because the two Call of Duty titles (4 and WaW) appear to have cannibalized each other, resulting in a weaker showing for both.
Where will Gears of War 2 be next time Major Nelson posts the Xbox Live Activity Top 10? If I had to guess, I would say 4 or 5. Unless CliffyB’s VGA reveal is a megaton, that is.
(PS, I'm glad to see Left 4 Dead in the top 10. Way to go, 360 owners!)
Here are the full XBL Activity charts:
Xbox 360 Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)
1 Halo 3
2 Gears of War 2
3 CoD: World at War
4 Call of Duty 4
5 GTA IV
6 Fable II
7 Left 4 Dead
8 Madden NFL 09
9 Fallout 3
10 FIFA 09Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions purchased)
1 Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
2 A Kingdom for Keflings
3 UNO
4 Castle Crashers
5 Worms
6 Portal: Still Alive
7 Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
8 Aegis Wing
9 Bomberman Live
10 Assault HeroesThe above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.
Original Xbox Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)
1 Halo 2
2 Star Wars: Battlfrnt 2
3 Fable
4 Counter-Strike
5 Call of Duty 3
6 Battlefield 2: MC
7 Conker: Live Reloaded
8 Street Fighter Anniv.
9 Star Wars: Battlefront
10 Splinter Cell ChaosThese lists are based on global unique users connected to Xbox Live or in the case of Arcade, full versions purchased that week.
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I don't understand what's happening in that picture, but I love it.