Modern Warfare 2 is most lucrative Call of Duty launch ever
UPDATE: Fastest COD to hit $1bn by far.
UPDATE 7/11/22: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has now generated over $1bn, and become the fastest-selling title in the series to hit that milestone.
Activision's latest press release states that the previous record for hitting $1bn was set by Black Ops 2 back in 2012. That took 15 days. This took just 10.
"Our developers, along with our entire Activision Blizzard team, are the backbone of our unwavering commitment to serve our hundreds of millions of players around the world," Activision's controversial boss Bobby Kotick said today.
"I am so proud of the extraordinary efforts from our Call of Duty teams and the records they have achieved with Modern Warfare 2. Connecting the world through joy, fun and the thrill of competition is the key to our success. Modern Warfare 2 has provided this to millions of players faster and with greater satisfaction than ever before."
Next week brings the launch of Warzone 2.0, on 16th November. I think it might do quite well.
ORIGINAL STORY 1/11/22: Modern Warfare 2 has given Call of Duty its biggest opening weekend in terms of revenue in the series' history.
In its first three days, the blockbuster game generated $800m worldwide. According to Activision's numbers makes it the highest grossing piece of entertainment all year, more than 2022's biggest films Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Top Gun: Maverick combined.
The previous opening record was held by 2011's Modern Warfare 3, which made $775m worldwide over five days. The latest game beat this record in just three.
"Thank you, Call of Duty players, for making Modern Warfare 2's launch one for the record books as well as the highest grossing entertainment opening of the year. It is our honour and privilege to deliver such a historic launch weekend for the best fans in the world," said Johanna Faries, general manager of Call of Duty.
"As amazing as this opening has been, Call of Duty has much more in store. An unprecedented level of support for the Modern Warfare universe is on the horizon and Warzone 2.0's launch is right around the corner. It's an incredible time for the franchise."
Yesterday PlayStation shared the game was the biggest PlayStation Store launch ever for a Call of Duty game, but now we know the full number across all platforms.
Modern Warfare 2 released last week across PlayStation and Xbox consoles, and PC.
You can check out our Modern Warfare 2 review now, which we described as having "some good moments, some beautiful cinematics and some typically moreish multiplayer" despite wobbles with its plot.
The launch has not been without issues, though: from an unhappy Amsterdam hotel owner, to disabling the ping feature and family sharing, and the inability to remove crossplay for PC and Xbox players.