Modern Warfare 2 launch aims to eclipse Halo 3, GTA IV

Activision already has great expectations for Modern Warfare 2, but outselling all previous Call of Duty titles is just the beginning. The publisher has hired marketing firm TWBA/Chiat/Day and given it marching orders to deliver the "biggest entertainment launch of all time."

In order to accomplish this, MW2 will need to surpass some established launch sales triumphs. The first is Halo 3, with 1.7 million copies moved on day one in fall 2007. More recently, Grand Theft Auto IV took the title of "biggest launch" thanks to first day sales of 3.6 million units. At this point, we think Activision needs to be less concerned with its game being huge -- it will be -- and more focused on ensuring PSN and Xbox Live don't utterly die when it hits stores November 10.

[Via GI.biz]

Reader Comments (116)

Anybody that always buys Call of Duty games already knows that MW2 is CoD. Leaving off the Call of Duty tag isn't gonna mean anything. You know they're gonna advertise the shit out of it. And they're probably gonna say "from the makers of CoD 4" for the three people that don't already know.

It's plausible it will surpass Halo and GTA 4 combined on both the 360, PS3 and PC. Approximately 5 million units sold on day one isn't a bad number. This is unequivocally the most anticipated game of the year, I'm fairly certain it can match or surpass 5 million units.

I doubt Modern Warfare won't achieve this goal.. Its quite simply going to be the biggest game of all time... lets hope it doesn't suck >_>

Did you watch anyone's coverage at E3? The only reason why we haven't seen sensationalist headlines is because IW is practicing OPSEC- no substantial information (i.e. multiplayer details) until a month before the game.

It certainly has can be just that if Activision goes all out. I would be happy for Infinity Ward if they are successful but it pisses me off that Activision benefits as well.

I'm not getting it. Call of Duty is the new guitar hero.

I'd be really surprised if this happens. GTA is a property with broad appeal amongst multiple different types of gamers, from casual to mainstream. People's grandmas have heard of GTA. It's a pop culture phenomena. The same goes for Halo, with it's iconic lead character. MW has very little name-brand recognition outside of the gaming community. It's a FPS shooter, who's main appeal is online play. Most people who own an Xbox or PS3 don't play online. Personally, I'm still waiting for CoD4 to drop in price.

omg, XBL could die?!

I think it has GREAT chances, even though they dropped the cod from the name most sites put (call of duty 6) or something in brackets after modern warfare 2. Also since halo 3 and gta the install base of both consoles has vastly increased!

I think it will definitely beat halo and it's got pretty good chances of beating gta as well.

we'll have to wait and see x]

Dropping the COD is smart IMO. I think maybe IW wants to distance themselves from Treyarch and seem less like an IP milker. The less hardcore gamer probably just thinks Activision puts out a COD every year and it's getting stale so this is a wise move.

Those saying COD is the new Guitar Hero are idiots. GH games are all carbon copies with a new track list and a few extra gimmicks. The time, detail, research and production values of all COD games have been amazing so far.

To surpass the dreck that was Halo 3, Infinity Ward will have to advertise the shit out of this game...

I probably would have bought this game. Until activision started suing people and making idle threats at sony.

it will outsell halo3 on the 360 because cod4 is the king of xbox live now, on the ps3? maybe... if the ps3 rumored price drop gets here before launch time. Outselling GTA? that is a hard feat considering the scarse information and visuals from the game out there. They better do one helluva advertising campaign(and show us more) if they really want to breaks those records. as for myself, I preordered the game already. And hope to pick it up at launch day(if sony turns my ps3 around from repair before then lol)

I hope the do more with DLC this time.

What the hell's the big deal with this game?

I think I'm the only person who was disappointed with COD 4. But then again, I live alone in a rural area and can't afford internet connection at home. Developers, please make more good FPS games for people like me. Bioshock is all that I have. COD 4's Graphics and frame rate blew my mind, but single player campaign frustrated the shit out of me, even on hard, felt like friendly AI was holding my hand through the action. And then it was over 3 hours later. If COD 2 offers a single player campaign that's at least longer than 8 hours, I'll consider buying.

Modern Warfare 2 launch aims to eclipse Halo 3, GTA IV

Reader Comments (116)

Posted: Jun 19th 2009 4:04AM Boomzilla said

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