Modern-Warfare-2 posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Call of Duty now a $3 billion franchise

by Justin McElroy { Nov 27th 2009 at 10:15AM }

Activision announced this morning that, according to data garnered from the NPD, ChartTrack, GfK and internal estimates, the Call of Duty franchise has accumulated $3 billion-with-a-b in sales over its lifetime. As all but the densest among you have likely deduced, CoD was put over the top by the release of Modern Warfare 2, which moved $550 million in its first five days on sale.

For a bit of perspective, $3 billion is pretty darn close to the gross domestic product of the Kingdom of Swaziland, a comparison that's especially appropriate when you realize that 54 percent of Swazis have a Gamerscore over 20,000. ... Oh, wait, this doesn't say "a Gamerscore over 20,000," it says "access to clean water." Sorry, smudge on the page.

Video game tacticians could save a lot of lives

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Nov 26th 2009 at 7:00PM }

From the medium that taught us a console is just a "hard drive with games on it" comes a new episode of NCIS (not to be confused with CSI FYI or CSI NY) that highlights the significant military advantage of employing a video game tactician. But don't even think about deploying them! As the episode's summary reveals, "a government think-tank filled with child prodigies" may be the only safe refuge for the killer's next victim.

You know what else could save a life? Not being so smug.

[Thanks, Danny]

Analyst: Modern Warfare 2 DLC could make $140 million in 2010

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 25th 2009 at 9:26PM }

Now that Modern Warfare 2 has smashed launch records -- raking in serious cash in the process -- the way is paved for inevitable downloadable content. DLC will likely rake in serious cash of its own, according to Broadpoint AmTech analyst Ben Schachter, who tells IndustryGamers that DLC could bring in an additional $100-140 million in revenue next year. The figure is based on the DLC attach rate for the previous Call of Duty title, World at War, which sold 0.625 downloadable map packs per copy, according to Schachter. At $10 each, that means every copy of World at War generated an additional $6.25 after the initial retail purchase.

Assuming there are 14-16 million copies of Modern Warfare 2 in players homes by the time DLC launches, Schachter says the content could generate up to $140 million, minus the portion Activision has to pay to platform holders that host the DLC. Schachter also believes DLC will go beyond map packs, theorizing that Infinity Ward could offer in-game items, new game modes and new missions (more co-op sniping, please). Of course, expanded DLC content could result in higher prices this time around.

Only time will tell how well Modern Warfare 2 does post launch but, regardless of what kind of content is on offer, we imagine it will probably do okay.

GAME and Activision UK team up for Modern Warfare 2 charity event next weekend

by David Hinkle { Nov 25th 2009 at 7:30PM }

War Child International is a coalition of organizations that seeks to aid children affected by war. Activision UK and GAME have decided to pitch in and are joining up to host an online event next weekend in Modern Warfare 2, asking that UK citizens play a bit of the game on Xbox Live. The more people enlist for action online, the more Activision UK will donate to the charity.

If you're looking for more information on the event, there's a Facebook page and a Twitter account set up to help coordinate. If you've got a busy weekend ahead of you on December 4, try to make time for at least one online match. It's not every day you can make someone else's life better just by playing a video game.

Study scrutinizes shooters for violations of war crime laws

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 24th 2009 at 12:15PM }

Two Swiss humanitarian organizations recently examined 20 shooting-centric video games to determine whether they allowed players to break the wartime guidelines laid out by the Geneva Convention -- rules which prohibit torture, destroying "protected objects" (such as churches or mosques), or, say, shooting a bunch of people who are waiting to catch a plane. The games observed, which include 24: The Game, Call of Duty 4 and 5 (we assume they meant Modern Warfare 2) and Metal Gear Solid, were largely panned for allowing the player to simply ignore the Geneva Convention's statutes.

According to a BBC report on the study, the two groups explained that while players of these titles may never become soldiers, these war crime violations could "influence what people believe war is like and how soldiers conduct themselves in the real world."

In short, you should feel bad about your recent airport murder spree in Modern Warfare 2. Not for the moral implications of killing dozens and dozens of innocent people, mind you -- but because it was against the rules.

UK Charts: Modern Warfare still tops; Assassin's Creed 2 outperforms original's debut

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 23rd 2009 at 10:39AM }

The Assassin's Creed sequel may not have taken out Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 from the top spot on the UK charts, but the game did outperform the original's 2007 debut by 12 percent in unit sales. Although Chart Track doesn't give specific unit sales figures, it's staggering to think that Infinity Ward's FPS dropped 86 percent after its launch week and still retained the top spot.

Behind the big boys of violence, Nintendo's New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii Sports Resort and Wii Fit Plus took the next three spots, respectively. The hardened Left 4 Dead 2 shambled up to seventh spot.

Source -- Call of Duty stands firm [Chart Track]
Source -- All formats chart [Chart Track]

Microsoft says it's 'well within legal rights' to ban consoles

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 22nd 2009 at 5:00PM }

In response to a possible class action lawsuit resulting from a recent round of Xbox Live bans, Microsoft has now asserted the legality of its position. A spokesperson has told the Financial Post that piracy is a violation of the company's terms of use and that Microsoft is "well within its legal rights" to ban users from its Xbox Live.

It was reported earlier this month that the law firm AlbingtonIP is "investigating" the possibility of a class action lawsuit against Microsoft over the bans. The firm argues that timing of the bans -- shortly after the release of Halo 3: ODST and just prior to the launch of Modern Warfare 2 -- was designed to get as much money from Xbox Live subscriptions as possible. In other words, the firm believes that Microsoft personally waited for a time when many people -- modders in this case -- would be purchasing Live subscriptions for popular games -- money that probably wouldn't be refunded after a ban.

Joystiq's Law of the Game columnist, Mark Methenitis, classified the suit as a likely "cash grab," explaining that anyone savvy enough to mod an Xbox would know to stay well away from Xbox Live. We might add that major releases, like ODST and Modern Warfare 2, are the biggest targets for piracy, and likely correspond with rises in illegal downloads. And that just might have something to do with the timing of the bans in question.

[Via Kotaku]

Reminder: Today's Engadget Show to feature Joystiq's Chris Grant!

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 22nd 2009 at 2:00PM }

Are you in New York City today wondering what to do at 5PM? We suggest you head to the below address in NYC's beautiful East Village where The Engadget Show is being taped, featuring not just HTC's Drew Bamford, but also Joystiq's very own head honcho Chris Grant! They'll be talking games and giving out an Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 bundle to one lucky attendee. Seating is limited to 450 and tickets are available ... right now at the Tishman Auditorium. We're serious! Head over this minute!

Tishman Auditorium at Parsons The New School for Design

66 W. 12th Street

New York, NY 10011

GameStop earnings up in Q3, Modern Warfare 2 company's biggest launch ever

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 19th 2009 at 11:15AM }

GameStop remains an unstoppable retail force, as the juggernaut slammed cash register drawers shut with $1.83 billion in sales and $52.2 million in profit for the quarter ending October 31. The figures represent 8.2 and 11.8 percent increases, respectively, from the same quarter last year.

The top five games during the quarter were Madden NFL 10, Halo 3: ODST, Batman: Arkham Asylum, NBA 2K10 and Wii Sports Resort, with all titles having "exceeded" the company's initial sales expectations. GameStop also revealed thar Modern Warfare 2 -- which released in Q4 on November 10 -- sold 2.5 million copies at the retailer in 72 hours. GameStop CEO Daniel DeMatteo is optimistic and believes MW2 is a bellwether for the rest of the holiday season.

Survey says: MMOs taking up 15% of gaming time

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 19th 2009 at 1:00AM }

World of Warcraft may have around 25 hojillion subscribers (give or take), but it would appear that only a small fraction of our collective gaming time is being spent in massively multiplayer online worlds. A recent survey conducted by GamesIndustry.com (via IndustryGamers) asked 13,000 US and European citizens, aged eight and up, to break down how much time they spent playing various types of games.

The article detailing the survey's results, titled "Today's Gamers MMO Focus Report," claims that US citizens spend more time with MMOs than Europeans by far – 21 percent on this side of the Atlantic and 10 percent across the pond. Furthermore, 8-12-year-old males make up the majority of US players, "[which is] explained by the popularity of virtual worlds aimed at young children, such as Club Penguin and Disney Toontown," according to the report. We might normally wonder how the rest of our time stacks up in other gaming genres, but we're too busy playing Modern Warfare 2 online. See ya later!

Xbox Live Top 10: People apparently played CoD4, World at War

by David Hinkle { Nov 18th 2009 at 10:30AM }

Seriously, guys? Everyone on the planet runs out and buys Modern Warfare 2 and you're still playing Call of Duty 4 and World at War? We can understand you folks who chose to play Halo 3 -- the whole Modern Warfare 2 experience may not be your idea of a good time -- but Major Nelson's Xbox Live activity chart for the week of November 9 simply vexes us.

In less puzzling news, the XBLA activity is along the lines of something we're used to seeing. Trials HD remains atop the list, followed by Castle Crashers and South Park Let's Go Tower Defense Play. Konami's Zombie Apocalypse also managed to survive the gauntlet and make its way onto the list and, combined with the recent release of Left 4 Dead 2, we feel mankind is finally starting to reach acceptable levels of preparation for the inevitable future of a world plagued by the undead.

Activision: Modern Warfare 2 earned $550 million in first five days

by Justin McElroy { Nov 18th 2009 at 9:45AM }

Activision has announced that, according to its internal estimates, Modern Warfare 2 has racked up $550 million in its first five days on the market. Considering that $310 million of that was in the game's first 24 hours, it means that it took another four days for the game to make another $240 million -- a great example of the big-bang starts enjoyed by many blockbuster games before their sales steadily decline. Still, Infinity Ward's latest managed to squeak by Grand Theft Auto 4's five-day record by $50 million.

If there were any tears to shed about that, Activision could dry them with some other impressive statistics, such as 5.2 million multiplayer hours logged and 11 million achievements unlocked on the game's first day. It could also presumably dry any tears with crisp bajillion dollar bills.

Square Enix chief confident in Modern Warfare 2's success in Japan

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 17th 2009 at 9:15PM }

[SUPERIOR INTERNET CONTENT! X2]

Western-developed games have rarely found success in Japan. However, Square Enix head Yoichi Wada doesn't believe it's because of inherent nationalism. "In the past, Japanese retailers have said that Japanese gamers have their own idiosyncrasies and tastes, and that that is the reason why the audience is not accepting of overseas titles," Wada told Ars Technica. "But I believe that is not the case, it was just a matter of poorly executed marketing."

Microsoft would probably take offense to that claim, considering it has poured considerable effort into the territory with arguably little return. Still, Capcom's success with the Grand Theft Auto franchise shows that Japanese gamers aren't entirely adverse to Western-style games. Square Enix believes it can follow suit with Modern Warfare 2, which launches in Japan in December, given the publisher's "extensive experience with the Japanese market."

We're not exactly sure what Square Enix is doing to increase Modern Warfare's appeal in Japan (the image above is not part of the campaign), but it seems to be working. Taketo Matsuo, a representative of Japanese retailer Tsutaya, has predicted Modern Warfare 2 to be one of Japan's top 10 games this holiday. Considering the rest of the list is made up of new Final Fantasy, Mario and Zelda games, that would be quite an accomplishment.

Modern Warfare 2 headshots XBLA activity

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 17th 2009 at 12:45PM }

Okay, so headshot might be too strong a word here, but Modern Warfare 2 has certainly wounded Xbox Live Arcade activity, as GamerBytes reports that top Arcade titles have seen a massive reduction in leaderboard activity since the release of Infinity Ward's latest blockbuster. Specifically, Trials HD -- long the reigning XBLA champion -- saw its leaderboard numbers drop from 14,890 players on the week of November 2 to 8,942 the week of November 9, about a 40 percent loss. Meanwhile, other titles including South Park, Zombie Apocalypse and Tower Bloxx Deluxe saw their leaderboards almost halved. Castle Crashers, curiously, only saw its numbers drop from 8,395 players to 6,034, a reduction of only 28 percent.

Still, it's pretty clear that Modern Warfare 2 has pulled a lot of gamers away from the more casual fare on XBLA. Either that, or lots of hardcore Call of Duty fans unceremoniously yanked the controllers from their more casually-oriented significant others.

Activision pulled MW2 'No Russian' scene in Russia on advice of 'local counsel'

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 17th 2009 at 11:00AM }

Activision has confirmed that it decided to remove the controversial "No Russian" scene from Russian versions of Modern Warfare 2, noting that there was no influence from the Russian government to do so. In a statement to Eurogamer, the publisher explained that Russia does not have a formal ratings board and that the company decided to block the scene "after seeking the advice of local counsel."

The publisher's statement went on to explain that the console versions of the game had never been released in the region and that the alteration would only affect the PC version, which was released on November 10 -- which wasn't too long before hackers turned their attention to the other things that had been removed from the popular shooter.