My store has two copies left out of a shipment of 12. Unless our store is a complete aberration (it usually isn't), then that puts it somewhere in the 50-100k range for the first week. 

Also, one should recognize that the ESRB ratings are nigh-worthless. I sold more copies of GTA to 10-18 year olds (with parents next to them, giving consent) than I did to 18+ year olds. By a large margin, actually.

I think it's hilarious that people give games like GTA or Gears of War a pass, but think this game is somehow evil. It's the same as DOA Extreme: many acted like that was a shameful, puerile game because it's a beach volleyball game with giant breasted women. But blowing away random civilians and hookers? Chainsawing hundreds of space aliens that splatter gore? No problem.

I happen to think they're all puerile, but I would also understand if you thought they were all acceptable. But saying some are appropriate while this one isn't? That leaves me a little confused.

So because the Radio and Record industry encourage promiscuous behavior in pre-teens it makes it OK for EA to?  Look, I could go on and on about this, but it wouldn't matter.  Just go read the news stories about kids hitting puberty earlier for a start.  And there's plenty more after that.

@Bodhesatva: I agree that ESRB ratings are worthless.  It should be parents' jobs to screen what they get for their kids.

But as for sex vs. violence, I view that one as fairly simple, although I'm sure some, if not many, will disagree.   I doubt there's more than a few on these boards that thinks violence in music, movies, and videogames increases violence in real life.  However, can the same be said for sex?  I think not.  The pre-teens see and hear promiscuous behavior being glorified everywhere.  And they have practically no one telling them otherwise, especially if their parents are not involved, as is the case often these days.  

This argument will mean nothing to a person who thinks promiscuous behavior is OK.  I, however, believe it is extremely detrimental emotionally, and physically too, if STDs become involved.

Looks like fun actually, even though it's not my thing

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chSzjfTmhAc

Good review. I was excited about this game until I saw the song list. Maybe if they would offer downloadable content for future songs I would pick this up but these songs do not interest me in the least. I have worked to many weddings as a server and heard these songs way to many times.

BTW, SSX blur is the bomb. That is one sweet snowboarding game!

Not really correct. Facing a lot of violence may not increase violence in real life, but it can have huge influence on personality.

 If you see too much violence, you lose the ability to understand the feelings of the person that has to suffer under the violence. This ability is called "Empathie" in german, I don't know how it is called in english. Anyways, this can lead to a general lack of emotions.

 Knowing that, I think seeing violence is far worse than seeing something related to sex.

 But this also is a cultural discussion, here in Europe, sexuality on tv is not such a problem for parents as violence is, while it is vice-versa in the USA. For example, even in series dedicated to an older audience such as Nip/Tuck, you'll never see a naked breast, while in germany, you often see naked breasts during the afternoon in free-tv. On the other hand, violent games are often banned in germany while this does not seem to besuch  a problem in the USA.

 I call this the Saved By The Bell effect (named after the execrable sitcom that was about high school yet targetted at preteens). If you want to sell something to small children you market it as though you were trying to sell it to preteens. If you want to sell something to preteens you market it as though you were trying to sell it to teens. If you want to sell something to teens you market it as though you were trying to sell it to young adults.

  Everyone under the age of 18 wants to identify themselves with people a little older than them. The game companies are well aware that a large portion of the market for an M rated game is significantly younger than 17.