Speaking of GOW3, do we have a release date yet?

There isnt any question that GT5 will so loads of software, but I do believe the impact on hardware will be around the same as MGS4.   MGS4 hardware blip was short and non-impactful.

GT3 was the last GT to move hardware, but it was a drastically different time then.  The PS2 had been on the market less than 9 months in NA and was the first game to really show off the PS2.  Only a few million PS2's had been sold by the time GT3 released. Things are drastically different now for the PS3 and GT5.  For one by the time GT5 releases ~30 million PS3 will have been sold.  GT5P has already sold nearly 3 million units. Third the GT series now has far more serious competion in the simulation space.

Again the software will sell fantastic, but there is little reason to believe that when GT5 launches the vast majority of people that will be looking to purchase it will already have picked up a PS3 over the past 3+ years.

Admittedly, I was using 'huge' comparatively weakly, in recognition of the fact that (as you point out) the PS3 will have been out for a decent length of time.
And I think by that stage an MGS4 style bump ought not, under such circumtances, to be sniffed at.

As I recall, GT5:Prologue's launch completely overshadowed the 360's first European pricecut of 2008. In this sense, I don't think a 450k week (if non-holiday release) or 700k week (if holiday release) for the PS3 is infeasible for the full game's launch.

I think that arrives at my point.  A few 100,000 PS3 sales for a couple of weeks to a month is an inconsequential bump.  MGS4 bumped PS3 sales by about 300,000 then PS3 sales were right about where they were.  GT5P bumped PS3 sales by about 200,000 over a couple of weeks.  They both released with the PS3 closer to 15 million console sold.  A bump of 500,000 for GT5 will be great for the PS3, but it wont change the game.

Mmm, but I don't think we'll really see a future title this generation giving a huge bump of approx. a million or thereabouts (with the possible exception of Final Fantasy XIII), so I don't think it's unfair to start scaling things down and think of a 300k boost as *comparatively* huge.

you guys are seriously overestimating YOURSELF'S  (or all of us, internet follow hype, big gamers ect.)

A ton of my friends have God of War 1 or played it.  YET not one single person has played let alone bought God of War 2.  I guess that might be reason why God of War 2 sales are like a million less than god of war 1.  and though PSP the next God of War a million less than that.  I expect God of War 3 to sell around 2 million.

@ irstupid: GOW3 will *easily* surpass 2 million sales. It's going to be a really significant title, it's most probably going to gain great critical acclaim and this will all be amplified if it comes out in the holiday season.

I own a PS3 and never played the God of War series, but after seeing that trailer and looking on Youtube at GOW 1 and 2 gameplay, I think it is time for me to pick them up.

I am heading out in a few hours, hopefully I can track them down. Thank goodness I have a MGS 4 Bundle 80GB BC PS3!

I just want to know the story and get used to the gameplay.

It is a system seller because it has had success on the PS2. Fans of the series that have not yet picked up there PS3 will probably do so when it hits. Just like fans of the GT and FF series will. There are still very popular games that have not released on the PS3 that will for sure move more consoles. Games like LBP while great, are new and generally new games like that wont sell a ton. The more people get to play it at there friends or what not, the more it will sell in copies and consoles to play it. As much as I wanted a PS3 on launch day, I waited until GT5P was close before I picked one up. The only reason I didnt wait longer is because I wanted a 60GB console and those were getting scarce. I did the same thing with the PS2 and PS1. I had my Ps2 pre-ordered for months, just for GT3.....or at the time GT2000. When I found out it wasnt a launch title, I canceled my order and bought a Dreamcast because it was cheaper and came with a game. I then later sold my DC to buy my PS2. I owned a Wii before a PS3 this time due to price and the only reason I didnt sell it to get my PS3 was my son wanted to keep it....he doesnt really play it, but he can say he has one. That and I got my 60GB PS3 for $300.

@darendt, the last two games' lifetime sales are 3 million copies. I am not saying thats what the sales of gow3 is going to be 3 million lifetime. I just don't think the game is a system seller. I would be just happy if the game has some good sales in the first 10 weeks of its release.