I've got years and years of NPD data that show me that only under extreme circumstances should you assume 50% of sales in months 1-2. COD 4 may well be one of those given it's meteoric performance, but 65% doesn't hold true for even the biggies like GTA, Halo, Gran Turismo, Pokemon, Madden, etc who get monster sales in the first 2 months because of anticipation.
IMO, many buyers were unaware of COD 4 which is why it was able to actually increase sales in month 2, which even though it was December, rarely happens.
3
I've got years and years of NPD data that show me that only under extreme circumstances should you assume 50% of sales in months 1-2. COD 4 may well be one of those given it's meteoric performance, but 65% doesn't hold true for even the biggies like GTA, Halo, Gran Turismo, Pokemon, Madden, etc who get monster sales in the first 2 months because of anticipation.
IMO, many buyers were unaware of COD 4 which is why it was able to actually increase sales in month 2, which even though it was December, rarely happens.