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

11/18/2009 10:17:52 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (Beta)

Cavan
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 10:43:55 AM
Reply

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.

3 up, 0 down

Dante399
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 2:06:03 PM

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

0 up, 0 down

Club80
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 10:51:30 AM
Reply

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

7 up, 0 down

ArnoldK PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 10:54:30 AM

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.

6 up, 0 down

Random_Steve
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:09:49 AM

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

2 up, 0 down

Alienange
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:18:08 AM

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?

2 up, 2 down

Aftab
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:37:47 AM

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...

4 up, 1 down

www
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 2:50:40 PM

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!

1 up, 0 down

ffrulez
Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 3:13:29 PM

Well, it makes sense. Many people make the movie more successful from the gross revenue rather than the initial box office, because they wanna wait till it gets on DVD or Blu-ray Disc. (plus theres always the illegal option, which affects these numbers).

0 up, 0 down

faraga
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 10:51:45 AM
Reply

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

2 up, 0 down

ffrulez
Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 3:14:32 PM

People buy Call of Duty no matter how awesome or how shitty it is.

1 up, 0 down

tridon
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 10:54:12 AM
Reply

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.

8 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 10:58:15 AM

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

3 up, 2 down

Cavan
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:16:22 AM

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%

2 up, 0 down

Alienange
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:19:14 AM

He could have been talking about $35 book prices...

3 up, 0 down

Deadman
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 12:49:36 PM

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.

2 up, 0 down

www
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 2:54:31 PM

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!

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 10:55:57 AM
Reply

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

5 up, 3 down

Geobaldi
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:07:33 AM

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.

3 up, 0 down

MadKatBebop
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:11:52 AM

Preach brother!

2 up, 0 down

www
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 2:55:49 PM

EXACTLY what am saying WorldendswithHIM!

1 up, 0 down

BTNwarrior
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:10:16 AM
Reply

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

5 up, 2 down

Alienange
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:11:36 AM
Reply

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

4 up, 1 down

maxpontiac
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:11:59 AM
Reply

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

0 up, 4 down

BTNwarrior
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 1:54:09 PM

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

1 up, 0 down

HeXeN
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:20:07 AM
Reply

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.

2 up, 2 down

CaptRon
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:27:59 AM
Reply

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.

2 up, 5 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:34:18 AM

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.

2 up, 6 down

Alienange
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:45:58 AM

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.

3 up, 1 down

MyWorstNightmar
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 1:54:02 PM

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

1 up, 3 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 2:31:14 PM

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.

2 up, 1 down

cochise313
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 2:35:40 PM

trolls that spam the thumbs down suck

2 up, 2 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 5:21:17 PM

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

1 up, 1 down

___________
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:42:28 PM

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

1 up, 0 down

MyWorstNightmar
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 1:45:33 PM
Reply

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

0 up, 0 down

photo K
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 1:55:10 PM

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.

2 up, 0 down

www
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 2:58:56 PM
Reply

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

0 up, 0 down

Psycho_Cleaton
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 3:21:43 PM
Reply

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.

0 up, 0 down

Mysterio Spyder
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 7:18:06 PM

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.

0 up, 0 down

bearbobby
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 3:47:04 PM
Reply

*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

0 up, 0 down

LaughAfterDeath
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 @ 7:02:13 PM

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

0 up, 0 down

Poor_boy
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 4:00:59 PM
Reply

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

0 up, 1 down

Snaaaake
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 8:00:53 PM
Reply

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.

0 up, 0 down

Banky A
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 9:36:24 PM
Reply

OMG nice.

0 up, 0 down

___________
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:41:34 PM
Reply

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.

0 up, 0 down

DeathOfChaos
Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 8:45:06 PM
Reply

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...

3 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 8:59:14 PM
Reply

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.

0 up, 0 down

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