They keep telling us it's a game platform, so we'll keep on telling you about it. Microsoft has announced sales for the first month after Vista's consumer launch on January 30th have topped 20 million copies. The number includes copies purchased by companies like Dell to preinstall in systems (like my stupid notebook), upgrades purchased by impulsive individuals thinking it would change the way they game (me, and slowly), and packages shipped to retail outlets (not yet, but the box is awfully shiny.)

Vista has sold twice as much as XP did when it was first launched, but I don't recall Microsoft making as much of a stink about XP either.

"We are encouraged to see such a positive consumer response to Windows Vista right out of the gate," said Bill Veghte, corporate vice president of the Windows business group at Microsoft.

It's rather odd, considering how often my statements about installing Vista on my PC elicit the response, "Why the hell would you do that?" While looking for a new wireless card this weekend for my living room PC I was told flat out by a Walmart employee to uninstall it. Guess I'm just not hanging out with the right consumers. Michael Fahey

Windows Vista sales top 20m [GamesIndustry.biz]