AfterDawn: Tech news

Executives blame Halo 3 for poor Box Office results

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 18 Oct 2007 6:22 User comments (48)

Executives blame Halo 3 for poor Box Office results Film executives are blaming one of the poorest recent Hollywood Box Office weekend performances on the impact of the hit Xbox 360 game Halo 3.
The movie industry had expected the latest Ben Stiller comedy "The Heartbreak Kid" to rake in $25 million USD over its opening weekend but the movie fell far short and made only $14 million USD.

The execs, citing that the target audience for Ben Stiller comedies is young adults, predominantly male, the same as the target audience for Halo, proves that the game had some impact on the poor ticket sales.

Although it is possible that $10 million dollars worth of sales stayed at home to play Halo 3 all weekend, it is more likely that the less than warm critical reviews were to blame. Not to mention the movie had an "R" rating, while Halo had a "M" rating, meaning younger viewers could not see the movie but could play the game.

The October 5th weekend was the movie industry's worst October week since 1999, with only $80 million in ticket sales but its unbelievable that industry execs would blame Halo for the poor ticket sales.




Source:
Dailytech

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48 user comments

118.10.2007 18:30
camaro17
Inactive

Notice it says RP on the box

218.10.2007 18:41

Who wouldn't blame Halo for their poor performance?

318.10.2007 19:09

It's always somebodys fault isn't it? It can't just be that no one wanted to see anything that was out? And lets not forget the infamous excuse "Piracy hurts farmers because the loss of movie attenders affects their popcorn corn sales"

418.10.2007 19:38

This is halarious because just about all of the movie review programs actually told people to stay away from this stinkbomb lol.

518.10.2007 19:50
whytelyou
Inactive

Originally posted by PeaInAPod:
It's always somebodys fault isn't it? It can't just be that no one wanted to see anything that was out? And lets not forget the infamous excuse "Piracy hurts farmers because the loss of movie attenders affects their popcorn corn sales"
Yes, They love to blame everything else other than the bleep movies!
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 19 Oct 2007 @ 3:01

618.10.2007 20:14

i dont think that the "execs" realize ben stiller just sucks, and so does almost every one of his movies.

718.10.2007 20:27

gosh that is pathetic!!!!
its the bleep movies!!!!
although i found heartbreak kid to be amusing..i wont go see it again or buy it on dvd but i dont regret spending 10 bucks or more importantly my two hours(ish)

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 19 Oct 2007 @ 3:01

818.10.2007 20:31

Who the heck cares about box office sales, cry me a river!...I mean, just because Halo was released doesn't mean anything. I don't myself play Halo, but given the crappiness of movies coming out...heck, just hand me a controller!

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 19 Oct 2007 @ 3:02

918.10.2007 20:40

Originally posted by venomX05:
Who the heck cares about box office sales, cry me a river!...I mean, just because Halo was released doesn't mean anything. I don't myself play Halo, but given the crappiness of movies coming out...heck, just hand me a controller!
i agree..and hey dude if u get the chance to play..do it..the game is awesome
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 19 Oct 2007 @ 3:03

1018.10.2007 20:41

First piracy now games? whats next?

1118.10.2007 20:44

Originally posted by navi1199:
First piracy now games? whats next?
rising gas prices and traffic (i live in so cal) keep people away from the theaters/parents dont want to drop off and pick up their kids

hah

1218.10.2007 20:48

I read this article last week and totally said the same things you guys are. Just look at the release schedule through New Year's... THERE'S NOT A DARN THING TO GO SEE!!! Are you going to pay $9 a ticket to go see "Heartbreak Kid" or take the same gamble on the animated "Beowulf"???

Hollywood needs some excuse. The truth is, they panicked that the Screen Actors and Writers were going on strike, and the pushed every single movie through this summer. I bet they could've held back on at least ONE of those high priced sequels and saved it for winter, but truth is, they wanted to pad their wallets early and make a statement when no one goes and see the crap coming out this winter. Heck, the movies are some un-interesting, that I may not even watch some of them for free!

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 19 Oct 2007 @ 3:04

1318.10.2007 21:08
AXT
Inactive

I would much rather play Supreme Commander for two hours than go see anything that has been released in the last two months.

1418.10.2007 21:20

Halo 3 is better than any of those crappy movies that came out anyway.

1518.10.2007 21:55

Halo is far better than anything Hollywood has put out in a long time. I have already spent countless hours on it. It beats paying 10 or 11 bucks to go to a movie, when in a month or two, I can rent it, or even better, download the dvd rip.

1618.10.2007 22:25
26r0cK
Inactive

Go the Rock for the game plan! :D

1719.10.2007 00:38

if halo was 20 a pop how much would it have neted from sales?
100 million+ is around the the hit mark for moives.

1819.10.2007 00:41

Originally posted by joonbugg:
Halo is far better than anything Hollywood has put out in a long time. I have already spent countless hours on it. It beats paying 10 or 11 bucks to go to a movie, when in a month or two, I can rent it, or even better, download the dvd rip.
I would not say that POTC is better than HALO,Hellboy is better than halo I think of a few other shows that are better than H3 and even H2...

1919.10.2007 01:22

My boss should be the one blaming Halo 3 for me calling in sick the first 2 days of the release ;)

2019.10.2007 02:17

I have to agree with the comments about the quality of the movies out right now......
BUT what are these moronic execs going to blame low sales figures on when the "pirates" stop uploading/downloading the fecal matter that has been rolling out of the hollywood hills lately.


HEY now that's an idea.......
as well as don't buy any dvds for say a week or two get the "pirates" to not download any junk off the net. I bet that would get their attention. I can see it now in the hollywood execs offices......

exec...darn it our sales figures are too low let's blame pirates downloading our sh*t movies!

kiss a$$ lackey.... but sir net traffic has slowed no one is downloading our movies either!

exec..... darn it....ok let's blame it on global warming for now and find me a better excuse! BUT before anything else call the local madam get my appointment moved up, get me stash of drugs and the keys to my benz, I'll wait here and have my bottle of vodka while you do that.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 19 Oct 2007 @ 3:06

2119.10.2007 09:25

How silly the film execs are. I'm not a gamer and even *I* don't go to movies that often any more - maybe 2-3x/yr, if that. (And when I do go, it's to the cheaper, early-bird show - and I even then I don't buy the popcorn.) Hollyweird hasn't figured out that if they produce well-considered, quality product (gosh! what a concept for a business model!), instead of ramming multiple versions of the same crap story premises down our throats at the same time, maybe they might make it worth the public's while to go out to a movie. But, no - it's all about the turnstile...

2219.10.2007 10:28

My wife has her period this week, my kids are sick, and I am overstressed at work...piracy must be the cause!

I typically rent the movies that seem questionable to see from Redbox and for most of them even $1 is too much to pay to see them. Hollywood should try to produce better quality movies if they want to make money.

2319.10.2007 14:48

Darn right we'd rather play Halo 3 than watch Ben Stiller!

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 19 Oct 2007 @ 3:07

2419.10.2007 15:08

All (too many for my tired fingers to type :))
Let's watch the language and keep it clean.

2519.10.2007 16:14

There is always someone creating excuses. Such statements from movie executives rather than being a complaint or frustration, for all that microsoft is concerned it’s a compliment rather than a means of persecution that targets blame upon their console. It’s not their fault that the film industry has been on a steady free fall. All the action, adventure, horror, sci-fi movies have all been exhausted. As I watch commercials of such films, the first thing I do or what many of you have done is make comparisons or have found similarities of other movies that contain a similar plot or storyline. I don’t see how this will ever change and really make me want to get into a movie theater just to watch something that I’ve already seen.

2619.10.2007 16:22

I would like to think that we as consumers have done something good instead of nothing at all. By not seeing the movies (term used lightly)we have said in a strong voice, "they suck and we won't pay money for this garbage". If we do this several times when needed maybe this will make them take notice for real. (I can dream a little, right?)

2719.10.2007 16:29

LOL... I just looked at what was released for today in theaters and it looks like I'll be staying home tonight!

Good comment about Red Box and how $1 is too much for some of these movies. Heck, I wouldn't even d/l and waste a disc to burn them on!

Who in Hollywood seriously thought that a movie like DRAGON WARS was going to succeed? Less crap like this, and then we'll spend our hard earned money!

2819.10.2007 16:57

I don't have a 360, therefor I didn't buy Halo 3 and couldn't spend my weekend playing it. And I more than have enough money to go watch a movie, but Ben Stiller is a d**a** and I only liked one of his movies (Night as the Museum but it wasn't because of him). Maybe someone can explain this quote to me...

Quote:
The execs, citing that the target audience for Ben Stiller comedies is young adults, predominantly male, the same as the target audience for Halo, proves that the game had some impact on the poor ticket sales.

Although it is possible that $10 million dollars worth of sales stayed at home to play Halo 3 all weekend, it is more likely that the less than warm critical reviews were to blame. Not to mention the movie had an "R" rating, while Halo had a "M" rating, meaning younger viewers could not see the movie but could play the game.
Yes, because the M rating on Halo 3 allowed people 17+ to buy the game but the R rating on that crap movie allowed 18+. It wouldn't make any difference. Also, 99% of games on the 360 and PS3 target "young males" so why didn't this come up before? Because it is bs and that exec knows it.
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 19 Oct 2007 @ 5:29

2919.10.2007 17:30

@wetsparks
Keep the language clean - I've already posted 1 warning in this thread.

3019.10.2007 17:35

My bad, didn't realize just how far I went, was watching TV as I was posting.

3119.10.2007 18:34

Yeah I can get carried away too :)

3219.10.2007 19:44

ben stiller isnt bad , i laughed a lot with all his movies. the guy isnt going to win an oscar by making such movies but he's funny. Just like adam sandler.

anyway , im not a Halo 3 fan because i hate playing FPS games with a controller. mouse + keyboard above all. My 360 plays a lot of Forza Motorsport 2 , dont think i'll ever need anything else to play.

3319.10.2007 21:59

I dunno if anyone has said this. (if they have then apologies in advance) but i can see it now. All the movie execs will bawl andcry and complain to the mpaa and they will then sue bungie, Microsoft, et al. For loss of revenue etc etc ad infinitum, ad nauseaum.

I would love to see that happen and have the mpaa get laughed out of court. Making them even more of a laughingstock of the entire planet! (Like their siamese twin the riaa) lol

3420.10.2007 10:51

are u kidding me?! i cant believe they thought heart break kid would make 25 million...thats jus ubsurd and halo 3 had nothing to do with it!!! the producers are jus looking for excuses why their movie sucks

3520.10.2007 16:42

Its wild they using a video game that has nothing to do with movies as a reason for their sales ona crappy movie no to be up. Hollywood and Corporate America are the dumbest M-Fers i have ever seen. Pure dumbness if you ask me.

3620.10.2007 17:01
NFAN3
Inactive

You idiots. M rated games can only be sold to people 17 or up which is the same for R rated movies. Before you type this crap, actually find out what ratings mean.

3720.10.2007 17:08

wat the *** is this noob ^^^ talking about??

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 20 Oct 2007 @ 5:16

3820.10.2007 17:08

Originally posted by NFAN3:
You idiots. M rated games can only be sold to people 17 or up which is the same for R rated movies. Before you type this crap, actually find out what ratings mean.
theres no law in the US over that a kid can buy it if the retailer dose not care.

3920.10.2007 17:10

Originally posted by sk8flawzz:
wat the hell is this noob ^^^ talking about??
most of Europe dose have laws that restrict sales to minors.
but still....whos he replying to LOL

4020.10.2007 17:16

@NFAN3
Don't know who you're talking too but let's stop w/ the insults - this is no place for it.

@sk8flawzz
I edited your post again

So to define again keeping this clean watch the language. And adding no flaming, insults etc. (etc to be defined further if the need arises :))
Last warning.

4120.10.2007 18:37

I love this news, I guess the studio Execs finally figured out that blaming piracy for a crappy movie doesn't work to well with any educated consumer...

and Though the reviews were bad and most of the target audiece were not allowed to see the movie do to the R rating, which is the most likely reason for the low figures, not to mention that young adults are probably studing for midterms right about now...

-->I agree that Halo 3 had about 1 hundred thousand times more of an impact on their sales figures than piracy did or ever could...

4220.10.2007 18:46

oops sorry bout that binkie7
wont happen again

4320.10.2007 20:44

Cool :)

4420.10.2007 21:11
NFAN3
Inactive

Quote:
Originally posted by NFAN3:
You idiots. M rated games can only be sold to people 17 or up which is the same for R rated movies. Before you type this crap, actually find out what ratings mean.
theres no law in the US over that a kid can buy it if the retailer dose not care.
True but Gamestop, walmart, all these stores selling the game don't want a lawsuit so they won't.

To everyone asking talking to, I'm talking to the people trying to look like pros by writing something they know nothing about.

Everyone, check out http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp

There it states (Remember, this is the official ESRB website), "Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language." R=17 and older

So, who still thinks I'm a mindless n00b?

BTW:I don't usually yell like that on message boards. It just bugs me to see people that are still uninformed of how the ESRB's rating scale.

4520.10.2007 21:50

@NFAN3
People post their opinions - if you don't agree with them either move on or be tactful. Yes I know that can be hard.
I only see one reference to the ratings in this thread. Sure they where off by 1 year in the R rating - but the M rating was right - 17+.
No reason to call anyone an idiot.

4620.10.2007 22:19
NFAN3
Inactive

Originally posted by binkie7:
@NFAN3
People post their opinions - if you don't agree with them either move on or be tactful. Yes I know that can be hard.
I only see one reference to the ratings in this thread. Sure they where off by 1 year in the R rating - but the M rating was right - 17+.
No reason to call anyone an idiot.
????

People not selling games to people under 17 is a fact, not an opinion. The person that wrote the article says because of Halo 3's rating, younger people can buy it compared to those that can see an R rated movie. This is false because major chains refuse to sell M rated games to minors.

All I ask is if this site wants to report news (This really a news story anyway. Just people looking for a reason why their terrible movie did terrible), just do a little research instead of making up other reasons why Halo sold a lot more.

The only reason Halo did better: More people care about it then some heart broken kid

4720.10.2007 22:36

Ok to clarify it - members are posting comments on why they think the game did better then the movie and why the movie didn't hit the 'Hollywood' mark.
Now the not selling due to age thing well we won't go there or turn this thread into that topic.

4823.10.2007 17:43

Maybe they should package the two together and see if that seems to be fruitful.

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