Modern Warfare 2 launch blows away Hollywood with record sales

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 blasted past $US300 million ($324.4 million) in sales on its opening day, blowing away Hollywood films to become the highest-grossing entertainment launch ever.

“MW2” sold 4.7 million copies and racked up $335 million dollars in sales in the US and UK alone when the eagerly anticipated title made its worldwide debut this week, according to publisher Activision.

The videogame bested Batman superhero film The Dark Knight, which holds the record for the top opening weekend ever by taking in $171 million dollars in July 2008.

Cultural phenomenon

“The Call of Duty franchise has become a cultural phenomenon showing the power of videogames as an entertainment medium,” said Activision chief executive Mike Griffith.

MW2 is the sixth title in the Call of Duty franchise that has won a devoted following for its cinematic gameplay since the first version was released in 2003.

Activision believes MW2 will be such a hit that the California-based company will see record operating margins. Pre-orders for the videogame – priced at up to $120 – were the highest in the firm’s history.

“If you only buy a single game this Hanukkah or Christmas, this is the title to beat,” said Scott Steinberg of videogame and gadget website Digital Trends.

“It’s designed to be as much of a breathlessly cinematic experience as (a) simple run-n-gun outing.”

Multiplayer options allow people to share consoles linked to the internet to play together as characters in the videogame as an alternative to going solo.

Critical acclaim

Reviewers have praised MW2 for its game play and vivid graphics.

MW2 picks up in the wake of its predecessor, which reportedly sold 12 million copies. The Call of Duty franchise boasts overall sales of about 28 million units.

Players join a global military task force taking on ultranationalist Russian terrorists to save the world. Settings include Russia, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Brazil.

The game is rated in Australia for people aged 15 or older and MW2 has stirred a bit of controversy for depicting realistically brutal terrorist encounters.

The MW2 launch in Britain saw tanks and soldiers descend on London’s Leicester Square, the first game launch in the square normally home to red-carpet film premieres.

Analysts expect MW2 to breathe new life into a videogame industry that has seen sales figures this year hobbled by dismal economic conditions and a dearth of hot releases.

“Based on everything I’m hearing so far, it’s nothing but good news for the industry,” NPD Group analyst Anita Frazier said.

“The combined launch of MW2 and New Super Mario Bros Wii should mean that November is a great month for the industry.”