After reading through 09tarheel's post and some of the responses I realized that I really liked Forza 2, but if it wasn't bundled I'd never have played it.  Because of the bundled game I'm now planing on getting Forza 3.  Do think that the heavy bundling of Forza 2 has helped Forza 3 gain traction that it other wise wouldn't have had?

hum ... well, it increased the install "fan" base without any doubt

but it is not because you do this that the sequel is a garanted success :

Resistance1 heavly bundled, big sales ==> Resistance2 FAIL

But, dont worry, it is not gonna happen with FM3

Yeah I know, but Forza 3 seems to have gained all kind of traction as a solid game... even some sim fans have been raving.  I just wondered if anyone else has become a fan due to the game being bundled.  I know a couple of guys at work like this as well.

I think it helped yes,but i dont think Forza 3 can match Forza 2 sales without bundling.

Forza 3 will have slightly higher retail sales then Forza 2 before bundling.

Resistance is the closest we can get to a comparison. Or Viva Pinata ...

Neither did what there debut games did.

I played the deom of Forza 2 and hated it so when My friend got his 360 with F2 bundled I told him to forget it which he did.
Then we was looking for something to play once and decided that as we would both be as bad as each other we'd give the multiplayer a go.

From then on we were hooked and I bought a copy for myself so it being bundled has helped influence my decision it's just that it was my friends bundle copy and not mine so maybe there's something in that for a few Forza fans.

Problem with comparing to Resistance is that Resistance was also launch title for PS3 and was the best title for the PS3. Those sales pushed Resistance sales, but not Resistance 2 did not have that benefit.

Actually I guess R and VP aren't really good comparisons.

Resistance was hardly anything special, and viva is an aquired taste.

With Forza 2 being such a good game, it's more likely a lot more people enjoyed it and would pick up it's sequel.