ZeniMax Media, parent company of Bethesda Softworks, has announced that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has sold more than 3.5 million copies in the game’s first 48 hours of release.
The announcement came earlier today, where the company originally stated that over 50 percent of its “launch units” were sold and 7 million units were shipped. Bethesda then clarified and confirmed that meant over 3.5 million units were sold and thus the 7 million units were the game’s “launch shipment.”
In addition to the units sold, ZeniMax also announced that this meant that the game is expected to make over $450 million in worldwide launch sales. Steam has also reported that on its service alone there were over 280,000 concurrent Skyrim players on launch day, which ZeniMax announced was a record.
“We are grateful for the fans’ response to Skyrim,” said ZeniMax Chairman and CEO Robert Altman. “Todd Howard and his team at Bethesda Game Studios have crafted a very special game. Anticipation for Skyrim has surpassed any game in our company’s history, and we are pleased that sales and reviews have reflected the quality and hours of amazing gameplay it provides.”
The title has already received massive praise from critics and is already being considered a favorite to win several Game of the Year awards over the next two months.
“Without a doubt, this has been our most ambitious project ever,” said Todd Howard, game director for Skyrim. “After over three years of development, we’re finally excited to get it into everyone’s hands.”
Be sure to keep checking back with GamerNode in the coming days for our review of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
