Microsoft today released word that the Halo 3 franchise has topped off $300 million in sales since launch. MS have dubbed it the “fastest-selling video game ever and already one of the most successful entertainment properties in history.” This is hard to argue with as the boys at Bungie and MS really marketed it well and made sure everyone got a taste of the hype train. Kudos boys.

There is one part of the press release I don’t agree with, where MS states “Xbox 360 has the greatest lineup in the history of video games and is the only console where consumers can play all the year’s biggest blockbusters.” I think this is far too over zealous to state, the lineup is looking good, but the best in history, wow that is a tough call.

There have been some great lineups in the days of the NES, Xbox, PS1 and 2, which paved the way for what we have today in video games. MS has definitely the bankroll to show for their current success, which is also attributed to the fact that video gaming in the years of old was more of a underground cult, where gamers were a minority. Today video games have become a huge industry and I doubt we will diminish in size as all those kids that played the old consoles are now grown up and spending their hard earned money on games. I think their best in “history” is a bit over the top and minimalizes what the other older consoles have done to get games to this point.

It is impressive that about one third of all Xbox 360 owners have gotten a copy of Halo 3, I actually figured this statistic to be higher and will probably reach a lot more people during the holidays.

From the press releasse:

REDMOND, Wash. — Oct. 4, 2007 — Interactive entertainment will never be the same, with the launch of one title that has changed the way the world thinks about video games. “Halo® 3” has captured the attention of consumers worldwide and has made history as one of the biggest entertainment launches of all time.
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1Up got some exclusive footage from Mass Effect and it looks like it’s definitely going to be a killer app. Go ahead, back in your 15 minutes of video glory.

Bioware released a few new screens from Mass Effect, coming later this year for the Xbox 360.

I’m not sure why some of the screens they release are amazing, and some just aren’t that great.

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Well, chalk up another great game that you can’t play this summer. Bioware’s masterpiece, Mass Effect, has been officially delayed until September.

CVG reports that the news comes from an official Microsoft event this morning, though no more details have been offered.

I’d personally rather have them delay the game and get it right, than push it out the door with tons of bugs.

Bioware is running around Defcon 3 right now. They had some backlash from ugly screenshots from Mass Effect and responding by releasing some more screens that were just okay.

Today they released a cinematic trailer from the game that looks pretty darn good. It looks to be rendered in-engine. The character models are nice. Can’t wait to see some up to date gameplay footage.

Here’s your medicine (in HD form, of course).

Yesterday, we posted four new screenshots from Mass Effect for the Xbox 360. They looked pretty crappy, compared to everything we’d previously seen. The minions on the internet pretty much agreed, and voiced their opinion loudly. Bioware took notice.

In an article on CVG, Bioware community editor Chris Priestly responded.

“The other day, we released 3 new screenshots. A few people posted comments about how the art in Mass Effect was ‘dumbed down’ and wasn’t looking very good. And I took exception to the comment and posted my feelings. The problem was, the screenshots they were criticising DIDN’T look very good.”

The post continues: “The whole truth of the matter is that the person at BioWare who took those screenshots made a mistake. People in our industry don’t admit this much, but we do make mistakes.

“The person took those screens at the last minute as they were needed for the article. He did take them in game from areas of the game that worked and then he sent them off… He didn’t clear them with Casey and the ME team though.”

Priestly released a new screen (above) that shows off the graphics better. I think he made a bad choice. This still doesn’t really hold up to the rest of the screens and videos we’ve seen previously. Hopefully someone gets their act together over there.

Bioware released some new screenshots today for it’s upcoming title Mass Effect for the Xbox 360. If you haven’t heard of Mass Effect, you’re living under a rock. This is going to be one of the biggest RPG’s the Xbox has ever seen.

These screens just look okay. The game has looked more polished in the past, so I’m a bit confused as to what’s going on with these screens.

More pics after the jump.

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