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Modern Warfare game goes on sale Modern Warfare 'set for record'
(about 2 hours later)
The long wait is over for video game fans desperate to get their hands on a copy of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Thousands of people queued outside games stores worldwide for the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
Some 320 UK stores opened specially for its launch at midnight, as did 10,000 US outlets in the US, with eager fans queuing to bag a copy. 700 in central London joined around 300 eager gamers outside Game Station in Hull, and 200 in Bury St Edmonds at midnight for the release.
722 UK stores and 10,000 US outlets opened overnight for the game's launch.
"We estimate that the game will exceed 1m UK sales in its first week, which would be a new record," said HMV spokesperson Gennaro Castaldo.
The current record of 800,000 first week sales is held by Grand Theft Auto 4, released in April 2008.
The publishers of Modern Warfare 2, Activision, are cautiously predicting total sales of 3 million.
HMV also confirmed that its stock of the collectors edition, Modern Warfare 2: Prestige, sold out online pre-release.
Some gamers compared the London launch to a film premiere.
"Because people haven't been able to play the game beforehand, it's really built their anticipation," said Neil Ashurst from retailer Game.
"I wonder how many people have taken the day off work today to play it."
Amazon said its pre-orders for the controversial title had been higher than for any previous video game.Amazon said its pre-orders for the controversial title had been higher than for any previous video game.
The first-person shooter is expected to sell millions of copies in the first few hours after launch.
Some people had managed to get their hands on the game early after shops broke the sales embargo.Some people had managed to get their hands on the game early after shops broke the sales embargo.
Facebook groupFacebook group
Robert Kotick, CEO of the game's publisher Activision, described it as "one of the largest entertainment launches of any media of all time". Robert Kotick, CEO of Activision, described it as "one of the largest entertainment launches of any media of all time".
Analysts believe the game could sell as many as five million units on its first day.Analysts believe the game could sell as many as five million units on its first day.
It is the sixth instalment in the Call of Duty series and gives players the chance to be a member of a military strike force that takes on a Russian ultra-nationalist terrorist group.It is the sixth instalment in the Call of Duty series and gives players the chance to be a member of a military strike force that takes on a Russian ultra-nationalist terrorist group.
We're already seeing it bully other name-brand competitors into pushing their release dates back rather than risk going head-to-head in the same launch window Scott SteinbergDigital trends Send us your commentsWe're already seeing it bully other name-brand competitors into pushing their release dates back rather than risk going head-to-head in the same launch window Scott SteinbergDigital trends Send us your comments
It sees the combat team travelling to Russia, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Brazil and into orbit, in an attempt to thwart the terrorists.It sees the combat team travelling to Russia, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Brazil and into orbit, in an attempt to thwart the terrorists.
The game has drawn criticism because one section, prefaced by a warning screen, involves a player joining a massacre of civilians at an airport.The game has drawn criticism because one section, prefaced by a warning screen, involves a player joining a massacre of civilians at an airport.
Labour MP Keith Vaz condemned the game saying he was "absolutely shocked" by its violence.Labour MP Keith Vaz condemned the game saying he was "absolutely shocked" by its violence.
In response, publisher Activision said the scene was "not representative of overall experience".In response, publisher Activision said the scene was "not representative of overall experience".
Meanwhile, Labour MP Tom Watson has set up a Facebook group to defend games such as Call of Duty from their critics.Meanwhile, Labour MP Tom Watson has set up a Facebook group to defend games such as Call of Duty from their critics.
Price warPrice war
The first Modern Warfare debuted in 2007 and sold more than 12 million copies. The game won praise for its uncompromising story line and attention to detail.The first Modern Warfare debuted in 2007 and sold more than 12 million copies. The game won praise for its uncompromising story line and attention to detail.
Versions for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC have gone on sale.Versions for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC have gone on sale.
MPs row over Modern WarfareMPs row over Modern Warfare
In the UK, a launch event was held at a cinema in London's Leicester Square, more usually the setting for film premieres.In the UK, a launch event was held at a cinema in London's Leicester Square, more usually the setting for film premieres.
Amazon said its pre-order sales for Modern Warfare 2 had been 50% higher than for Grand Theft Auto 4 - which until now had been the most successful release ever.Amazon said its pre-order sales for Modern Warfare 2 had been 50% higher than for Grand Theft Auto 4 - which until now had been the most successful release ever.
"We're already seeing it bully other name-brand competitors into pushing their release dates back rather than risk going head-to-head in the same launch window," said Scott Steinberg, of game and gadget website Digital Trends."We're already seeing it bully other name-brand competitors into pushing their release dates back rather than risk going head-to-head in the same launch window," said Scott Steinberg, of game and gadget website Digital Trends.
Since the Call of Duty franchise started in 2003, more than 28 million copies of the game's various incarnations have been sold.Since the Call of Duty franchise started in 2003, more than 28 million copies of the game's various incarnations have been sold.
In the UK the console versions of the game are selling for about £54. The PC version is priced about £35.In the UK the console versions of the game are selling for about £54. The PC version is priced about £35.
However, supermarkets and retailers have been advertising it a steep discount. Sainsbury's and Tesco are expected to offer it for about £26. Online stores have also cut the price of the title.However, supermarkets and retailers have been advertising it a steep discount. Sainsbury's and Tesco are expected to offer it for about £26. Online stores have also cut the price of the title.
A limited edition of the game, called the Veteran Package, is also available for £99.A limited edition of the game, called the Veteran Package, is also available for £99.
While many gamers eagerly awaited its release, fans of Modern Warfare have expressed disappointment that the PC version will lack some of the tools and tweaks available in earlier editions.While many gamers eagerly awaited its release, fans of Modern Warfare have expressed disappointment that the PC version will lack some of the tools and tweaks available in earlier editions.