We all knew it was bound to happen, but Activision has today stated that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has become “the biggest entertainment launch ever”.
The highly anticipated first-person shooter sold more than 6.5 million units in North America and the UK alone in the first 24 hours of its release. Thanks to those amazing sales figures, the game generated a whopping $400 million worth of sales.
These crazy numbers mark the third consecutive year that a Call of Duty game has set day one launch records, something no other entertainment franchise in any medium has ever accomplished.
In comparison, last year, Call of Duty: Black Ops generated estimated day one sales of $360 million. To go even further back, in 2009, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, set day one records when it made an estimated $310 million. Just like Modern Warfare 3, these figures refer to sales in North America and the UK.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xjCdN_rWCE[/youtube]
As if the sales figures weren’t impressive enough, Microsoft has stated, after just two days, the number of gamers playing Modern Warfare 3 simultaneously on Xbox LIVE set a new peak concurrency record.
Bobby Kotick, Activision Blizzard’s CEO stated the following:
“We believe the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is the biggest entertainment launch of all time in any medium, and we achieved this record with sales from only two territories. Other than Call of Duty, there has never been another entertainment franchise that has set opening day records three years in a row. Life-to-date sales for the Call of Duty franchise exceed worldwide theatrical box office for “Star Wars” and “Lord of the Rings,” two of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time.”
Eric Hirshberg, Activision Publishing’s CEO added:
“Call of Duty is more than a game. It’s become a major part of the pop cultural landscape. It is a game that core enthusiasts love, but that also consistently draws new people into the medium. It is the most intense, adrenaline pumping entertainment experience anywhere. I would like to thank our incredible teams at Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games for making a brilliant game. But most of all, I would like to thank our millions of passionate fans worldwide. We made this game for you.”
Well, there you have it. The Modern Warfare 3 launch was bigger than the theatrical releases of Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings! No matter what you think about Activision and the Call of Duty series, the figures unveiled today are extremely impressive. What other game can match the Call of Duty series when it comes to sales? Grand Theft Auto maybe? Let us know your thoughts via the comments section below.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is out now on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. Our review is due the hit the website early next week.
