Activision Blizzard has confirmed that Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continues to shatter theatrical box office and video-game sales records after its first five days, grossing US$550 million.
Modern Warfare 2‘s launch beat all previous first-and five-day entertainment industry box office, book and video-game sell-through records.
Activision Blizzard says the game is the largest reported five-day opening worldwide in terms of box-office gross figures, previously held by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (US$394 million).
The largest reported five-day opening US domestic box-office gross figures was held by The Dark Knight ($203.8 million). The largest reported five-day worldwide video-game sales record was previously held by Grand Theft Auto IV (6 million units, US$500 million).
The largest reported opening first-day US domestic box-office gross figures was held by The Dark Knight ($66.4 million) and the largest reported first-day book sales in dollars record was held by Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows ($220 million).
The largest reported first-day worldwide video-game sales record was previously held by Grand Theft Auto IV (3.6 million units, $310 million).
Modern Warfare 2‘s blast radius also extends to Xbox LIVE, in which the blockbuster title’s epic release established the following new standards, according to Microsoft:
– More than 5.2 million multiplayer hours were logged playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on the first day alone.
– More than 2.2 million unique gamers played Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in one day on 10 November – a new one-day record for Xbox LIVE.
– More than 11 million achievements were unlocked on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on the first day.
“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,” said Robert Kotick, CEO, Activision Blizzard, Inc.
“The title’s success redefines entertainment as millions of consumers have chosen to play Modern Warfare 2 at unprecedented levels rather than engage in other forms of media.”
Despite the success of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Activision Blizzard said it remains cautious about the US and global economy, especially consumer spending, which remains a significant concern.
By John Kennedy
Photo: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
