Modern Warfare 3 makes a billion in five days
12:48 PM Friday Nov 18, 2011Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 raked in US$775 million (NZ$1.02bn) worldwide in its first five days, blowing away the record set by last year's release, publisher Activision said.
"Life-to-date retail sales for the Call of Duty franchise have exceeded US$6 billion worldwide, which makes Call of Duty one of the most valuable entertainment properties in the world," Robert Kotick, chief executive of Activision owner Activision Blizzard, said in a statement.
Call of Duty: Black Ops pulled in $650 million last year over its first five days while the previous year's release, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, reaped $550 million over the same period, according to Activision.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 earned more than $400 million in Britain and the United States in the first 24 hours after its release, making it the highest-grossing entertainment launch ever.
That eclipsed Hollywood's biggest blockbusters and Call of Duty: Black Ops, which reaped $360 million on its first day.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 was released on November 8 and fans lined up at stores around the world to purchase the military first-person shooter game, the eighth title in the Call of Duty franchise.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, which was developed by Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games, picks up the storyline from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and segues into World War 3.
- AFP