Halo 3 Beats Modern Warfare for Live's Top Spot

[Andy Chalk]

Halo 3 Beats Modern Warfare for Live's Top Spot

Modern Warfare 2 [http://majornelson.com/archive/2010/01/10/the-top-20-live-games-of-2009.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+MajorNelson+%28Major+Nelson+%28Xbox%29%29&utm_content=Google+Reader&PageIndex=1] doesn't come out on top.

The lists include the Top 20 Live Games for the past year along with other categories like Top Arcade Titles, Top Original Xbox Titles, Top Indie Games and Top Games for Windows Live Titles. The rankings are based on either the number of unique users connected to the Live service in 2009 or, for Arcade and Indie games, the number of full versions of each game purchased. So, without further ado, the list of Top 20 Live Games for 2009:


Halo 3 [http://www.amazon.com/Halo-3-Xbox-360/dp/B000FRU0NU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1279054043&sr=1-1]
Call of Duty 4 [http://www.amazon.com/Call-Duty-Modern-Warfare-Xbox-360/dp/B0016B28Y8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1280940152&sr=8-1]
Modern Warfare 2 [http://www.amazon.com/Call-Duty-Modern-Warfare-Xbox-360/dp/B00269QLI8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1278694263&sr=1-1]
Call of Duty: WaW [http://www.amazon.com/Call-Duty-World-War-Xbox-360/dp/B001AWIP68/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280940201&sr=1-1]
Gears of War 2 [http://www.amazon.com/Gears-War-2-Game-Xbox-360/dp/B002GN8HU4/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280940235&sr=1-1]
GTA IV [http://www.amazon.com/Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-Playstation-3/dp/B000HKP88C/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280940267&sr=1-1] (Purchase and download the full game)
Left 4 Dead [http://www.amazon.com/Left-4-Dead-Game-Xbox-360/dp/B0025KZV7A/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280940298&sr=1-1]
Halo 3: ODST [http://www.amazon.com/Halo-3-ODST-Xbox-360/dp/B001HWB68K/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280940342&sr=1-1]
Fable II Episode 1 (of 5) [http://www.amazon.com/Fable-2-Platinum-Hits-Xbox-360/dp/B002Q21X7Y/ref=sr_1_2?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280940579&sr=1-2]
BioHazard 5 - Resident Evil 5 [http://www.amazon.com/Resident-Evil-5-Playstation-3/dp/B0012N94WO/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280940652&sr=1-1]
Halo Wars [http://www.amazon.com/Halo-Wars-Platinum-Hits-Xbox-360/dp/B0034JKYO6/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280940688&sr=1-1] - Demo
Resident Evil 5
Fallout 3 [http://www.amazon.com/Fallout-3-Xbox-360/dp/B000UU3SVI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1279568021&sr=1-2]
UFC 2009 Undisputed [http://www.amazon.com/UFC-2009-Undisputed-Xbox-360/dp/B001D7T2XA/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280940757&sr=1-1] Demo
Left 4 Dead 2 [http://www.amazon.com/Left-4-Dead-2-Xbox-360/dp/B002BRZ852/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280257124&sr=1-1] - Demo
Gears of War [http://www.amazon.com/Gears-War-Xbox-360/dp/B000FRS9II/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280940805&sr=1-1]
1 vs 100
Guitar Hero World Tour [http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Hero-World-Tour-Xbox-360/dp/B001ABP95E/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280940844&sr=1-1]
Guitar Hero III [http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Hero-III-Legends-Rock-Xbox/dp/B000TGDHW8/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280940886&sr=1-1]
FIFA 09 [http://www.amazon.com/FIFA-Soccer-09-Xbox-360/dp/B001AZ7RK0/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280940932&sr=1-1]


Perhaps most noteworthy is the fact that more than two years after its release, Halo 3 [http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/games/halo3/] is still dominating Xbox Live. With Modern Warfare 2 achieving third place after being released in mid-November, however, I wouldn't be too surprised to see that change in 2010.

The Top 20 Games for Windows Live list is also interesting, for somewhat different reasons. Have a look:


GTA IV
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II [http://www.amazon.com/Warhammer-40-000-Dawn-War-Pc/dp/B0031MAI10/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280940972&sr=1-1]
Fallout 3
Shadowrun [http://www.amazon.com/Shadowrun-Xbox-360/dp/B000OLSJLC/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280941006&sr=1-1]
Street Fighter IV [http://www.amazon.com/Street-Fighter-IV-Playstation-3/dp/B0012N5MIO/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280941041&sr=1-1]
Halo 2 (PC)
Batman: Arkham Asylum [http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Arkham-Asylum-Xbox-360/dp/B001E8VB3C/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280941082&sr=1-1]
Resident Evil 5
Gears of War (Windows)
Red Faction Guerrilla [http://www.amazon.com/Red-Faction-Guerrilla-Xbox-360/dp/B0014ULQB2/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280941116&sr=1-1]
Battlestations: Pacific [http://www.amazon.com/Battlestations-Pacific-Xbox-360/dp/B001NJ293I/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280941148&sr=1-1]
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men [http://www.amazon.com/Kane-Lynch-Dead-Men-Xbox-360/dp/B000UUFQZE/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280941186&sr=1-1]
DiRT 2 [http://www.amazon.com/Dirt-2-Playstation-3/dp/B001UEN68I/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280941236&sr=1-1]
Section 8 [http://www.amazon.com/Section-8-Xbox-360/dp/B001SBUBJU/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280941267&sr=1-1]
Quantum of Solace [http://www.amazon.com/James-Bond-007-Quantum-Playstation-3/dp/B001AWDFUY/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280950667&sr=1-1] (PC)
FlatOut UC [http://www.amazon.com/Flatout-Ultimate-Carnage-Pc/dp/B000VM9DMI/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1280950715&sr=1-2-fkmr1] (PC)
Fuel [http://www.amazon.com/Fuel-Xbox-360/dp/B001OAKUZU/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280950756&sr=1-1]
Viva Piñata [http://www.amazon.com/Viva-Pi%C3%B1ata-Platinum-Family-Xbox-360/dp/B000HCL5QO/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280950799&sr=1-1]
SWTCW: Republic Heroes [http://www.amazon.com/Viva-Pi%C3%B1ata-Platinum-Family-Xbox-360/dp/B000HCL5QO/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280950799&sr=1-1]
Juiced 2: HIN [http://www.amazon.com/Juiced-2-Hot-Nights-Playstation-3/dp/B000OCXK6U/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280950861&sr=1-1]


Games for Windows Live [http://www.microsoft.com/Games/Halo2/] than it does about what's actually popular with gamers. Clearly, Microsoft has a lot of work ahead of it if it's serious about making Live relevant to PC gamers.

The rest of the lists are as follows:

Top 20 Arcade Titles


Battlefield 1943 [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025841097e/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Castle Crashers [http://www.amazon.com/Castle-Crashers-Online-Game-Xbox-360/dp/B001LRQ8IY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1280950961&sr=8-1]
Trials HD [http://www.amazon.com/Trials-Online-Game-Code-Xbox-360/dp/B002L3RUKC/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951022&sr=1-1]
Hasbro Family Game Night (combined sales of all Hasbro Family Game Night titles)
Shadow Complex [http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Complex-Online-Game-Xbox-360/dp/B002LIT3F2/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951054&sr=1-1]
Marvel vs. Capcom 2 [http://www.amazon.com/Marvel-Capcom-Online-Game-Playstation-3/dp/B002YGS4EM/ref=sr_1_2?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951081&sr=1-2]
Magic: The Gathering
UNO [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802584107f3/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Worms [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802584107de/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Peggle [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258410889/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Worms 2: Armageddon [http://www.amazon.com/Worms-2-Armageddon-Online-Xbox-360/dp/B002EAYCIA/ref=sr_1_4?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951211&sr=1-4]
Turtles in Time Re-Shelled [http://www.amazon.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Xbox-360/dp/B002L3RUIO/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951244&sr=1-1]
'Splosion Man [http://www.amazon.com/Splosion-Online-Game-Code-Xbox-360/dp/B002HWSDVW/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951262&sr=1-1]
A Kingdom for Keflings [http://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Keflings-Online-Game-Xbox-360/dp/B001UQ6RZK/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951284&sr=1-1]
3 on 3 NHL Arcade
The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition [http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Monkey-Island-Special-Xbox-360/dp/B002HJ3O7I/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951340&sr=1-1]
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1989 Classic Arcade [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258410870/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Marble Blast Ultra [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802584107d7/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802584108a4/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]


Top 20 Original Xbox Titles


Halo 2
Star Wars: Battlefront 2 [http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Battlefront-II-Pc/dp/B000W2MX42/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951514&sr=1-1]
Fable [http://www.amazon.com/Fable-Lost-Chapters-Xbox/dp/B0001UEHP8/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951474&sr=1-1]
Counter-Strike [http://www.amazon.com/Counter-Strike-Xbox/dp/B0000AJMPK/ref=sr_1_2?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951551&sr=1-2]
Conker: Live Reloaded [http://www.amazon.com/Conker-Live-Reloaded-Xbox/dp/B0006SST9U/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951573&sr=1-1]
Doom 3 [http://www.amazon.com/Doom-3-Xbox/dp/B0001KUE7S/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951594&sr=1-1]
Splinter Cell Chaos [http://www.amazon.com/Clancys-Splinter-Cell-Chaos-Theory-Xbox/dp/B0002SQ0BS/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951626&sr=1-1]
SW: KOTOR [http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Knights-Old-Republic-Xbox/dp/B000067DPM/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951660&sr=1-1]
Star Wars: Battlefront
SW: Republic Commando [http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Republic-Commando-Pc/dp/B000VV9T7S/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951691&sr=1-1]
Burnout 3 [http://www.amazon.com/Burnout-3-Takedown-Playstation-2/dp/B0002IQC8E/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951718&sr=1-1]
Fable: Lost Chapters [http://www.amazon.com/Fable-Lost-Chapters-Xbox/dp/B0001UEHP8/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951740&sr=1-1]
Call of Duty 2 [http://www.amazon.com/Call-Duty-2-Xbox-360/dp/B0009S4UOA/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951775&sr=1-1]
Call of Duty 3 [http://www.amazon.com/Call-Duty-3-Xbox-360/dp/B000G7YRHO/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951812&sr=1-1]
Call of Duty Finest Hour [http://www.amazon.com/Call-Duty-Finest-Hour-Playstation-2/dp/B0001I9YGC/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951836&sr=1-1]
MechAssault 2 [http://www.amazon.com/Mech-Assault-2-Limited-Xbox/dp/B0006I5FLU/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951872&sr=1-1]
Crimson Skies [http://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Skies-Xbox/dp/B00008G75X/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951897&sr=1-1]
Guilty Gear XX #Reload [http://www.amazon.com/Guilty-Gear-X2-Reload-Midnight-Carnival/dp/B00190N0SO/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951945&sr=1-1]
Rainbow Six 3 [http://www.amazon.com/Tom-Clancys-Rainbow-Six-3-Xbox/dp/B00008G764/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280951972&sr=1-1]
Gauntlet Seven Sorrows [http://www.amazon.com/Gauntlet-Seven-Sorrows-Playstation-2/dp/B0009R1SZ0/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1280952012&sr=1-1]


Top 20 Indie Games


I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES!!!1 [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802585502a6/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Avatar Drop [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802585502da/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
RC-AirSim [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258550171/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Headshot [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025855028b/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Miner Dig Deep [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258550182/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Rumble Massage [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258550179/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Who Did I Date Last Night [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025855027a/]
Kodu Game Lab [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025855024c/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Avatar Golf [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802585502d8/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Aquarium HD [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802585501a4/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
myFishtank [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025855021c/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Head Shot 2 [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258550365/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
DrumKit [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802585501a3/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
A Perfect Massage [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258550219/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
The Impossible Game [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025855037e/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Inside Lacrosse's CL2010 [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258550374/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
ZP2K9 [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802585501ba/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
ezmuze+ Hamst3r edition [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802585501fc/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
The Drinking Game [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802585502a9/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]
Physics Sandbox [http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025855026a/?p=1&of=7&bt=0&sb=1#offers]



Permalink

 

[Sixties Spidey]

Wow, I never expected to see Call of Duty 4 doing better than Modern Warfare 2.

 

[WrongSprite]

Wow, I never expected to see Call of Duty 4 doing better than Modern Warfare 2.

This is the whole of 2009, so MW2 only had November and December, whereas 4 got the whole year.

 

[Lenny Magic]

BioHazard 5 - Resident Evil 5
Resident Evil 5

Double Resident Evil 5?

 

[More Fun To Compute]

Shadowrun is only reviled by cranky oldsters who wanted an RPG/adventure game to be made in the unfashionable and, quite frankly, silly setting. People who like online shooters actually like it, but it is strange to see it in the list of most played games. GFWL really is a backwater compared to Steam.

 

[Jared]

To be honest looking at the list it dosnt surprise me where games have ended up on there. I would definetly argue with some of them bit I supppose problems with these lists is it is down to each person at the end of the day

 

[squid5580]

Was K&L better on the pc than on the consoles? That game was absolute trash. And Republic Heroes amde it in that list? That is funny in a very sad way.

 

[Jark212]

Didn't expect to see Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II...

 

[Hoppetussa]

The Left 4 Dead 2 demo is more popular than the actual game? Didn't people buy it? And people still play the original Gears of War?

 

[Sevre]

I hate the gaming community sometimes. Didn't we get past Halo 2?

 

[Awexsome]

MW2 did come out pretty late in the year so although I thought it would be on top I'm not terribly suprised. That's the third year in a row for Halo 3 so props to Bungie.

I bet for next year it'll be MW2 with Halo: Reach right behind it since it will come out in the fall and be in the same scenario.

 

[microwaviblerabbit]

The Games for Windows list is pretty much useless in my opinion.

Dawn of War 2 pretty much automatically signs to in to Games for Windows, I know mine did and that was from Steam. No choice there. Plus it is the matchmaker.

Fallout 3, well since Games for Windows offers the DLC, and you have to sign in for it to work, well I just set mine to always sign in so I could play the damn things I bought. So not really a voluntary decision to sign in.

I wonder how many of the other titles in this list have something similar?

I agree that Live isn't relevant on the PC. It acts more like authorization software than anything useful. I never choose it, I just jump through its hoops when required.

 

[AkJay]

I'm glad to see Worms 2: Armageddon made it on the list.

 

[GamingAwesome1]

Left 4 Dead 2- Demo more popular than the game?

And the original L4D still high in the sky? I think I need to revisit the good old one as the online community is still thriving.

 

[Starke]

The Games for Windows list is pretty much useless in my opinion.

Dawn of War 2 pretty much automatically signs to in to Games for Windows, I know mine did and that was from Steam. No choice there. Plus it is the matchmaker.

Fallout 3, well since Games for Windows offers the DLC, and you have to sign in for it to work, well I just set mine to always sign in so I could play the damn things I bought. So not really a voluntary decision to sign in.

I wonder how many of the other titles in this list have something similar?

I agree that Live isn't relevant on the PC. It acts more like authorization software than anything useful. I never choose it, I just jump through its hoops when required.

What was funny/annoying was to actually mod the DLCs you had to go through your user directory picking nits to get them to work.

Shadowrun and Quantum of Solace are certainly examples in the "you need GFWL to make the game work" camp. Also remember, a lot of places have marked Shadowrun down to around 5 bucks. At that price it's not a bad cost to value ratio.

 

[L3m0n_L1m3]

COD4 beat MW2. Can't say I'm suprised, actually. COD4 seems way better, but that's just my opinion.

Also, Halo is like the game to have for the 360.