Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Sets Five-Day Worldwide Sales Record

27 Comments Posted November 18, 2009 - By Jake Gaskill

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Midnight Launch Event -- Tanks, Ghillie Suits, And Energy Drinks

Activision announced today that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has broken yet another sales record, this time for largest five-day worldwide sales. Estimates show that the game pulled in $550 million during its first week, breaking the record previously held by Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto IV, which earned $500 million in its first five days.

It’s hard to really wrap my head around a video game earning half a billion dollars in a week. Not that these games don’t deserve it or anything, because they obviously do, but that’s a staggering achievement. And analysts predict MW2 will go on to sell 11.1 million copies this year, so check back then to see how accurate this estimate actually was. For perspective's sake, consider that GTA IV has gone on to sell over 13 million copies since it launched in 2008, putting its total gross over the $1 billion mark (based on my own calculations).

Back in January, Kotaku reported that Guitar Hero III had become the first single game ever to pass the $1 billion sales mark. However, that does seem a bit unfair considering the bundles for that game cost significantly more than regular games. But still, combine that with MW2’s success, and it’s clear that Activision’s pockets will continue to be lined with green for some time.

Tags: PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360

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thepsychogamer

A game that has been widely hyped by every gaming outlet sold a lot? you sir just blew my mind

Posted: November 18, 2009 9:31 AM | Reply | Report

-9 thumbs up thumbs down

3 Replies
RocketJoel85

I think I'm 1 of 7 people who doesn't have that game yet. :( Man, payday can't come soon enough!!

Posted: November 18, 2009 9:36 AM | Reply | Report

+17 thumbs up thumbs down

9 Replies
Topside1126

Rocket Joe you're SOL man, already beat the game on Vetren and beat all Spec Ops...GREAT GAME!

Posted: November 18, 2009 9:48 AM | Reply | Report

-1 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
Hoss70

To be fair in the comparison with GHIII, MW2 did come with i think 3 different editions? Maybe more? With the most expensive topping out around 150 bucks? So it;s got that going for it too, which is nice.

But all that aside, yeah, anyone could have told you this game would have crushed all sales records.

Posted: November 18, 2009 10:20 AM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
SneakySnipes1

Somehow I get the feeling they're going to have a little trouble with Modern Warfare 3, whether it be gameplay or sales....(btw I'm obsessed with the first one, and still love the 2nd modern warfare, beat campaign, lvl 33, some spec ops missions beat on hardest, etc)

Posted: November 18, 2009 10:31 AM | Reply | Report

0 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
DeeJayX Show Hide(13 Replies)

Its a shame a gaming news network...and authority on reviews...didn't help push the word out about the PC version getting the short end of the stick.

Thanks G4.

I still don't have the game, and won't. Not for my 360...my PS3...or my PC. I could careless either way...life goes on. :) I'm diggin Borderlands on the PC, Forza3 on my xbox...and my PS3 sits in its box in the corner waiting a good game. LMAO.

Posted: November 18, 2009 10:38 AM | Reply | Report

-15 thumbs up thumbs down

13 Replies
BONERJAM

This doesn't suprise me to much, alot of my friends who aren't really gamers play the crap out of COD.

@DeeJayX

Get over it. $550 million in sales proves that no one cares.

Posted: November 18, 2009 10:41 AM | Reply | Report

0 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
Dynamo903

I only liked the original modern warfare somewhat. So I don't think I'll be getting MW2. Just doesn't strike me the same as most people apparently.

Posted: November 18, 2009 10:42 AM | Reply | Report

+2 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
hoboindastreet

I not surprised at all...me and about 3 of my friends all got the prestige edition. i actually thought that they would get more but...Good job IW, you guys knocked this one out of the park.

on a side note, my xbox crashed on the 8th so i haven't played it yet but i watched my friend and it looks good.

Posted: November 18, 2009 10:51 AM | Reply | Report

+2 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
RRODisBack

As expected. I predict MW3 in 2011 will do the same.

Posted: November 18, 2009 10:57 AM | Reply | Report

+4 thumbs up thumbs down

2 Replies
jungleman67 Show Hide(9 Replies)

does anyone know how to make a petition to make mw3 a 2 disc game - one for single player and one for multiplayer for length purposes - and get 8 million signatures?

Posted: November 18, 2009 11:02 AM | Reply | Report

-11 thumbs up thumbs down

9 Replies
Bookshelf

I really wanted to buy this game on PC to...

Posted: November 18, 2009 11:24 AM | Reply | Report

+3 thumbs up thumbs down

4 Replies
r0gg3r

so how much did halo 3 sell?

Posted: November 18, 2009 11:28 AM | Reply | Report

-4 thumbs up thumbs down

2 Replies
rustedhalo01

Ok, MW2 has turned out to be a good game, it's fun to play and the multiplayer isn't bad either but here's the catch. Is it just me or is the storyline somewhat the same as MW? there's a sniper level(just like the first one) there's a cool slow-mo sequence(just like the last one) a chase scene(but this time with a snowmobile) I realy did enjoy this game, but I also had a strange sense of dejavu. I don't know I'm not a critic and I don't play one on TV but please tell me I'm not alone on this...

Posted: November 18, 2009 11:37 AM | Reply | Report

+2 thumbs up thumbs down

2 Replies
ABXPuPpeT

guess i gotta wait 2 more years for another good call of duty game

Posted: November 18, 2009 11:45 AM | Reply | Report

-2 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
rhypo

halo 3 sold $170 million dollars worth in the first 24 hours and keep in mind that it is x360 only...mw2 is multiplatform. Not saying that MW2 is bad or stuff, just saying what I found.

Posted: November 18, 2009 12:09 PM | Reply | Report

-3 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
gravy666

So much for that boycott.

Posted: November 18, 2009 12:35 PM | Reply | Report

+2 thumbs up thumbs down

2 Replies
natedizzle23

This game is so kick azz. Was anyone really that suprised it did that well?

Posted: November 18, 2009 12:55 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

3 Replies
Busymandan

Already traded that garbage. That was the WORST game I have ever played. It's the same as every other COD. BLAH BLAH BLAH nothing new

Posted: November 18, 2009 1:45 PM | Reply | Report

0 thumbs up thumbs down

2 Replies
sinewave

I've heard the night vision goggles included with the platinum edition work really well!

Posted: November 18, 2009 1:55 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

2 Replies