The Division was released last March and it was greeted with unprecedented commercial success, and mixed reactions from critics. The game has apparently done so well that research analysts have dubbed its performance as one that “stole” from Call of Duty: Black Ops 3.
The Division continues to see new interest from gamers and will be embellishing its experience with new DLC in the coming weeks. According to a new report sent over by SuperData research, The Division took the top performing spot in March for digital sales on console and in the note sent to byteclay.com, they termed The Division‘s performance as one that “stole” from Black Ops 3.
“Sales of The Division skyrocket, seizing the top spot from Call of Duty: Black Ops 3. Excitement pushed sales to over $109 million, making Tom Clancy’s The Division the highest grossing digital console title in March, $48 million ahead of runner-up Call of Duty: Black Ops 3. Black Ops 3’s 17% month-over-month revenue decrease means The Division siphoned off attention and spending from Call of Duty fans.
“Black Ops 3 is not the only digital console title to see a significant decrease, Madden NFL fell to 10th place from the top 5 with revenue decreasing 31% month-over-month. NFL postseason excitement has clearly worn off,” SuperData said.
The firm went onto talk about Microsoft and their recent moves regarding the Xbox platform. As many of you know by now, Xbox 360 production was officially ceased by Microsoft, placing full attention on the Xbox One.
“Microsoft plans to phase out Xbox 360 as evidence builds for a modified Xbox One. Microsoft is making a lot of changes in its competition with Sony’s Playstation 4. After a 10 and a half year stint, the company announced plans to stop manufacturing new Xbox 360 consoles, although existing inventory will still be sold,” SuperData said.
Xbox 360 was a milestone piece of hardware for both Microsoft and video games, so it was a bittersweet moment for gaming to see production ended. The firm went onto address the rumors that many have been hearing about a new Xbox One or one that could potentially be upgradeable, similar to how PCs are upgraded these days.
“Additionally, two recent hardware patent filings by Microsoft fuel speculation that Xbox One is due for an upgrade. If true, this fits with Microsoft’s new strategy of abandoning new console releases every five to seven years in favor of incremental upgrades.
“Xbox-players can expect a lot of changes as the console becomes less of a standalone platform than a piece of connective hardware for all Microsoft-related gaming,” SuperData said.
While it’s still uncertain as to whether or not upgraded consoles will be coming from either Microsoft or Sony, E3 2016 should be a time when the firms clear the air. E3 2016 will run from June 14 through June 16, with EA and Bethesda kicking off the show via their press briefings on Sunday, June 12.
