Bethesda Softworks has announced just how well the hugely popular and critically acclaimed RPG The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has done.

Extremely well it seems as over 3.5 million units are sold – established as more than 50% of the 7 million shipped units have sold – in the opening 48 hours. Launch units are expected to generate more than $450 million in global retail sales, whilst Steam activity set a concurrent players record of over 280,000 players within the first 24 hours of release.

“We are grateful for the fans’ response to Skyrim,” said Robert Altman, Chairman and CEO of ZeniMax Media. “Todd Howard and his team at Bethesda Game Studios have crafted a very special game. Anticipation for Skyrim has surpassed any game in our company’s history, and we are pleased that sales and reviews have reflected the quality and hours of amazing gameplay it provides.”

“Without a doubt, this has been our most ambitious project ever,” said Todd Howard, Game Director on Skyrim. “After over three years of development, we’re finally excited to get it into everyone’s hands.”

This continues an increasingly remarkable trend of massive sales over the past few months with the sales of threequels: Modern Warfare 3, Uncharted 3, Battlefield 3, and Gears of War 3, all impressing.

Dave is hard at work on his Skyrim review, which you can expect very soon.