Thread Description: In this series of posts I'm picking a franchise and then looking at how the franchise is doing in sales this generation compared to last generation, and then asking people why they think that change in sales occurred.  When I make the original post it will include a poll that will expire in ~10 hours.  Soon after it expires I will post the results, which I hope will spur a second round of discussion.  I'm calling these "Game of the Day" threads, but even if it is not the same day feel free to continue to comment in the thread. With the thread description out the way here is today's Change in Sales Game of the Day...

Game of the Day

(Highlighting a game to talk about the change in sales)

9/13

Forza 2

Description: Today's Game of the Day, Forza 2 has increased a massive 296% over its predecessor. Does that mean the franchise has just increased greatly in popularity, or did the game only get purchased because of the bundles.  Does another explanation better justify that huge increase in sales?  Vote in the poll and then let us know what you think. Also today instead of just stating your reasoning behind the increase in Forza 2's sales, state what expectations you have for the upcoming Forza 3.  Do you think Forza 3 will be able to continue the franchises  increase in sales?

Updated: Poll closed and results posted.

Previous Change in Sales Game of the Day Threads.

Metal Gear Solid 4 (9/12)

Mario Kart Wii (9/11)

Grand Theft Auto 4 (9/10)

Call of Duty (8/28)

Mario Party 8 (8/27)

Also check out my new series of sales threads "Sales Battle of the Day"

Well it was bundled with about 1.5-2 million 360s.
So even without counting them, the franchise gained a 100% increase in sales which is very good.
Forza 3 might do 4 million without any kind of bundling.

It was doing better than its predecessor even without bundles, but the bundles bloated the franchise past its actual size (similar to Gran Turismo 3).

The game sold well without bundles, though a huge chunk of the sales come from them. That said, the series has gained momentum, so its a bit of everything.

With a $250 360 in EU, the game could do really well there, and the nice graphics will make it a big AAA title for NA.

I think It sold about half of its sales because of bundles.  Still sold quite a bit better than the first one.

Yeah i can see the next one selling 3 million.

Two reasons for selling a lot better:

1. Bundles bundles bundles.
2. Being a better game.

i feel forza 1 is under tracked.... can that not be an option?

It went up from 1 to 3.2 million in the 2007 holiday season with the bundles, so that's obviously the biggest reason for the rise in sales.

It seems like there are different opinions on how many units of Forza 2 were sold because of bundles. I'm not that familiar with the Forza 2 bundles, so when did the game start being bundled, was it bundled with all 360 SKUs and when did the bundle end?

@ goddog,

That's fine for it to be your reason, but do you have any particular reason to think Forza 1 is under tracked?