When EA told investors that they “couldn’t be happier” with Battlefield 3‘s launch, they certainly weren’t lying – Battlefield 3 has smashed all of EA’s previous sales records.
BF3 wasn’t only a success in the UK, where it outsold all previous Battlefields combined, but worldwide sales beat out other EA powerhouses like FIFA and Madden. EA proudly announced that BF3 sold-through (that’s actual sales, not just shipped figures) 5 million units globally, based on internal estimates, making it the fastest-selling game in the publisher’s 29 year history. It’s also important to note that, while Battlefield released on Tuesday in the US, it released later in most of the rest of the world, meaning that the game was available to purchase for less time.
Since launch Battlefield 3 players executed 73M savior kills, 48M revives and destroyed 67M vehicles. Patrick Soderlund, Executive Vice President of the EA Games Label, said:
From Tokyo to Los Angeles, Sydney to London, millions of fans have been playing all weekend long — we are overwhelmed by the global response to Battlefield 3. It is extremely gratifying to deliver an entertainment experience that delights our fans, and to have the opportunity to introduce new people to the franchise. Already, we are seeing unprecedented play times and online activity which is very rewarding. This launch solidifies Battlefield as a leading entertainment brand.
In comparison, Call of Duty: Black Ops sold nearly 5.5 million copies in 24 hours.
