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Official: MW2 Has The Biggest Entertainment Launch Ever

The analysts were right and Activision – and millions of gamers everywhere – got exactly what they wanted.

Today, Activision Blizzard has announced that Infinity Ward's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is officially the single biggest entertainment launch in history, shattering both theatrical box office and video game sales records in a five-day period. Internal estimates put the take at about $550 million in that span of time, which tops the largest five-day opening worldwide box office gross figures for a movie, which was "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ($394 million). In the game world, this just squeaks past Grand Theft Auto IV , which sold 6 million units and brought in about $500 million in the first five days. And in terms of opening day, Modern Warfare 2 once again comes out on top, beating out the domestic box office record ("The Dark Knight;" $66.4 million), largest first-day book sales ("Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows;" $220 million), and the launch day for GTAIV (3.6 million sold; $310 million). Said Robert Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard:

"In just five days of sell through Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has become the largest entertainment launch in history and a pop culture phenomenon. The title’s success redefines entertainment as millions of consumers have chosen to play Modern Warfare 2 at unprecedented levels rather engage in other forms of media."

It's interesting to note that towards the end of this impressive press release, it says that Activision "remains cautious about the U.S. and global economy as well as other variables that can affect industry fundamentals and our own performance, including consumer spending, which remains a significant concern." Well, I suppose that makes plenty of sense but when you've got $550 million filling your coffers after only five days time, perhaps there's no need for this disclaimer.

Related Game(s): Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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Cavan
Cavan
14 years ago

and i know plenty of people who still want to buy this game but cant get their hands on it, the big supermarkets are selling it at half price the gaming stores in the uk, and i know people that are waiting to get for the supermarkets to get restocked before they buy it.

Dante399
Dante399
14 years ago

Yeah i just got my copy just an hour ago, i had to wait till now…but for me now is just fine XD

Club80
Club80
14 years ago

I understand the comparison to GTAIV, but with movies…not so much. It doesn't cost $50+ for a movie ticket (yet).

ArnoldK PSXE
ArnoldK PSXE
14 years ago

Exactly. The videogaming industry is delusional for always comparing themselves to the movie industry.

The trend started with Microsoft and Halo, from what I recall. It was never taken seriously years ago, but today, it's used as a press/publicity tool.

Random_Steve
Random_Steve
14 years ago

yea thats what i was going to say, a movie at most costs £20 and thats blueray of some ridiculously over priced movie

Alienange
Alienange
14 years ago

If over 6 million gamers bought MW2 in the first week at $50, then why don't 50 million people go see HP movies at $10 since it's so cheap?

Aftab
Aftab
14 years ago

Maybe not 50 million, but close to 40 million (counting multiple viewings) did during the first 5 days. So, those sales figures are definitely a publicity stunt. Movies still hit a wider demographic. And Kotick's other statement of people playing MW2 rather than being entertained by any other media is another overstatement. MW2 doesn't even replace other video games…

www
www
14 years ago

Ya well, at least its a good look for the games industry and we have to show those other industries they shouldn't sleep on us and games aren't for kids NO MORE!

faraga
faraga
14 years ago

Wow, even with all the people claiming they wouldn't buy MW2 because of the lack of dedicated servers?


Last edited by faraga on 11/18/2009 10:52:21 AM

tridon
tridon
14 years ago

I'll never understand why analysts and such compare video game releases to theatrical box office sales and book sales. MW2 costs (I'm going by Canadian prices here) $60 for the regular edition, $90 for the Hardened edition and $160 for the Prestige edition. A typical movie will cost $7-12 to go watch while a book will be $15-$35, tops. And they wonder why a video game makes more money on its release? Probably has something to do with it costing 50-80% more than its competing entertainment options.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

I suppose because they are in the same industry (entertainment)

Cavan
Cavan
14 years ago

not to pick u up on your maths or anything mate, but at 12 dollas, and at 60 dollas, a game is 500% more, not 60-80%

Alienange
Alienange
14 years ago

He could have been talking about $35 book prices…

Deadman
Deadman
14 years ago

Yeah, individual ticket prices aside try taking a family to a movie or making a dinner and a movie date night. The overall cost of both is roughly $50-$70. A blu-ray and pizza is $50 unless you rent the Blu-ray then its $25.

But overall the movie going experience is a few hours and a video game experience is 7-15 longer if you are playing a RPG. You get more for your money with a VG.

www
www
14 years ago

Analysts NEED to compare, to show that Yes, we are here and don't take us for the granted, the wrath of the gamers is nigh! We need more publicity to kill that nerd stereotype ideology!

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

Well whatever one thinks of MW2 this is good for gaming and gamers, if games keep smashing movie records the world (the other world) will have to pay more attention to us rather than treating us like weirdos 🙂


Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 11/18/2009 10:59:17 AM

Geobaldi
Geobaldi
14 years ago

They still will think of us as weirdos since they'll all think we have nothing better to do and that we're rotting our life away by playing games.

Wait. Don't they think that now?

So in a way, this can be spun around as a negative for gamers as well.

MadKatBebop
MadKatBebop
14 years ago

Preach brother!

www
www
14 years ago

EXACTLY what am saying WorldendswithHIM!

BTNwarrior
BTNwarrior
14 years ago

well maybe next time they will be able to spend more money on the development to get us some next gen graphics

Alienange
Alienange
14 years ago

An entertainment A-Bomb. I see good times ahead for gamers everywhere.

maxpontiac
maxpontiac
14 years ago

Well, my house alone added $120.00 USD to that total..

BTNwarrior
BTNwarrior
14 years ago

please don't tell me you bought this for ps3 and another system

Hexen
Hexen
14 years ago

It's a very impressive feat indeed.MW2 will now be known as the face(or mascot)of gamers every where(in the media's eyes)from this generation.

CaptRon
CaptRon
14 years ago

They are comparing entertainment. a lot more people go to the movies than play video games. for a video game to beat out the best selling movie is quite a feat.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

I agree, just because a game costs more doesn't necessarily mean much because even though movie costs are exorbitant buying the more expensive game is a bigger commitment than just going to the theatre.

Alienange
Alienange
14 years ago

Exactly. It's not the price, it's the demographics. And the demographic they're looking at here is "entertainment." If movies had the $10 tickets along with the Prestige Edition Tickets that come with HP wands, you'd see those profit numbers rise.

MyWorstNightmar
MyWorstNightmar
14 years ago

WORLD, you seem to be the new whipping boy for this site. Every post you make, you get thumbs down coming from every direction. This seems to be a recent development as I haven't noticed this trend until the last few weeks.


Last edited by MyWorstNightmar on 11/18/2009 1:55:08 PM

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
14 years ago

I don't think it's him. We just have many permanently banned ex-members who apparently have no life and just come here to thumb people down for no reason.

ace_boon_coon
ace_boon_coon
14 years ago

trolls that spam the thumbs down suck

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

They are just jealous because I'm so cool 😉

and maybe because I hammered people just before they got banned cuz I knew where things were headed.


Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 11/18/2009 5:22:30 PM

___________
___________
14 years ago

your worried about that?
i mean seriously, the more you complain the more they will do it.

MyWorstNightmar
MyWorstNightmar
14 years ago

Don't know if this information is public, but I wonder how much they spent in marketing / advertising for this game as opposed to the other examples that were given.
And does Activision release how much it COST to produce the game? They will pull in a lot of revenue for this game, but what were the total expenses I wonder?

Does Activision get any kind of kick back from XBOX Live subscriptions? Probably not, but this is the kind of game (along with L4D2) that really drives gamers to continue to buy XBOX Live every month I would think.

Makes me glad I have PSN for free.


Last edited by MyWorstNightmar on 11/18/2009 1:53:18 PM

photo K
photo K
14 years ago

i would say those Harry Potter movies have a big development price tag and also a huge marketing price tag. But Harry Potter not only makes revenue off of the movie, but all the games, clothing, toys, dvds etc that come with it.

www
www
14 years ago

I'm happy IW got paid. MW2 is highly addictive, Free-For-All?! Huh, don't try me.

Psycho_Cleaton
Psycho_Cleaton
14 years ago

i love the online but the story mode is just a little bit to short and judging by then ending where it apears that it will be only soap,Captain Price and Nikolai,it seems like there drifting away from like the group or team type of shooters which i really don't like.I like the cod4 story better but like i said the online kicks cod4s ass.

Mysterio Spyder
Mysterio Spyder
14 years ago

I feel MW2 is just an exspansion to MW1 rather than a sequal. Reminds me of how alot of people I know who bought Halo ODST at $60 are extremly pissed off saying it should be a $30 game. I feel that way about MW2. Campaign was awesome, but rediculously short, and the MP is just MW1 with different maps. A few of the Spec Ops missions where alright but I also noticed the mission HIDDEN is just the sniper level in MW1 reversed. I feel cheated with this game at $60, especially since the game hardly worked on launch.

bearbobby
bearbobby
14 years ago

*Twirls finger in air*

Meh, might pick it up to try out at some point, but doesn't grab me like some other games. Though I can say I was less overwhelmed by MW2's marketing campaign than I was by Halo 3's absolutely obnoxious ads. lol

LaughAfterDeath
LaughAfterDeath
13 years ago

It worked fine on the 360. I guess you get what you pay for…

Poor_boy
Poor_boy
14 years ago

I wonder if the infamous "No Russian" level of the game may have contributed to the sales. Terrorists are officially the new tamagotchi.


Last edited by Poor_boy on 11/18/2009 4:01:10 PM

Snaaaake
Snaaaake
14 years ago

So now video games and movies are equal?
Now they're comparing the sale to movies?
What bout criticism? Video game always gets it but not most movies.

Banky A
Banky A
14 years ago

OMG nice.

___________
___________
14 years ago

further proof that just because a game sells extremley well does not mean its a good game.
sales do not dictate quality.
actually if anything its the other way around, most games i buy struggle to hit the 2M mark.
games seriously need a price drop though, 110 bucks is just way to much.
especially considering the us is only paying 60, convert that to AUD and thats roughly 80 bucks.
i mean 30 bucks is not much, but times a multiple of 2 games per month it adds up.
and i normally buy one game a week, no wonder my account has gone down like a atomic bomb hit it.

DeathOfChaos
DeathOfChaos
14 years ago

That game is so over hyped and all in all, just another war game.

Modern Warfare: First person shooter in a modern day made up war
Modern Warfare 2: First person shooter in a modern day made up war…two years later.

That's some good story telling…

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
14 years ago

I'm thinking that if Kotex had allowed IW to use his mug for target practice in MW2……..

then MW2's sales would've skyrocketed, time's a few hundred gazillion more.

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