madnav
Forerunner
TOI said:Videogame blows all Hollywood records
Pips ‘Batman’, Earns $310M On Opening Day
San Francisco: ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’ blasted past $300 million in sales on its opening day, the videogame’s publisher said, blowing away even Hollywood films to become the highest-grossing entertainment launch ever.
‘MW2’ sold 4.7 million copies and racked up $310 million in sales in the US and Britain alone when the eagerly anticipated title from Infinity Ward studio made its worldwide debut on Tuesday, according to Activision.
The videogame bested Batman superhero film The Dark Knight, which holds the record for the top opening weekend ever by taking in $158.4 million in July 2008. “The Call of Duty franchise has become a cultural phenomenon showing the power of videogames as an entertainment medium,†said Activision chief executive Mike Griffith. ‘MW2’ is the sixth title in a franchise that has won a devoted following since the first version was released in 2003.
Multiplayer options allow people to share consoles linked to the web to play together as characters in the videogame as an alternative to going solo.
Reviewers have praised ‘MW2’ for the $60 game play and vivid graphics. The game is rated for people aged 17 or older and ‘MW2’ has stirred a bit of controversy for depicting realistically brutal terrorist encounters.
‘MW2’ picks up in the wake of its predecessor, which reportedly sold 12 million copies.
Players join a global military task force taking on ultranationalist Russian terrorists to save the world. Settings include Russia, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Brazil.
Analysts expect ‘MW2’ to breathe new life into a videogame industry that has seen sales figures this year hobbled by dismal economic conditions and a dearth of hot releases. “Based on everything I’m hearing so far, it’s nothing but good news for the industry,†NPD Group analyst Anita Frazier said. “The combined launch of MW2 and New Super Mario Bros. Wii should mean that November is a great month for the industry.†AFP
Source: Time Of India, Mumbai, Page 13, Nov 14th '09
PS: Mods please update title to cod mw2