Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Sets All-Time Record for Biggest Entertainment Launch

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As predicted, Activision's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 shattered its own day-one sales records previously owned by Black Ops.  Modern Warfare 3 has become the biggest entertainment launch with salesestimates of more than $400 million and more than 6.5 million units in North American and the United Kingdom in the first 24 hours of its release.

This marks the third consecutive year htat the Call of Duty frnachise has set day one launch records across all forms of entertainment, something no other entertainment franchise in any medium has ever accomplished. Call of Duyt:Black Ops had estimated day-one sell-through of $360 million and in 2009, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 set day-one records with an estimated sell-through of $310 million.

According to Microsoft, after just two days, the number of gamers playing simultaneously on Xbox LIVE set a new peak concurrency record.

"We believe the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is the biggest entertainment launch of all time in any medium, and we achieved this record with sales from only two territories," said Bobby Kotick , CEO, Activision Blizzard, Inc. "Other than Call of Duty, there has never been another entertainment franchise that has set opening day records three years in a row. Life-to-date sales for the Call of Duty franchise exceed worldwide theatrical box office for "Star Wars" and "Lord of the Rings," two of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time."

Eric Hirshberg , CEO, Activision Publishing added, "Call of Duty is more than a game. It's become a major part of the pop cultural landscape. It is a game that core enthusiasts love, but that also consistently draws new people into the medium. It is the most intense, adrenaline pumping entertainment experience anywhere. I would like to thank our incredible teams at Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games for making a brilliant game. But most of all, I would like to thank our millions of passionate fans worldwide. We made this game for you."