Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Made Over $600 Million in First Three Days
The first figures for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s launch sales are now available, and it’s already clear that the game has broken more than a couple of records. Not only that, but the game has sold more than $600 million in its first three days; a colossal figure, even for a triple-A game release. While the launch wasn’t the biggest Call of Duty launch ever, its broken records indicate that digital games are continuing to become more popular than physical media.
How Successful Was the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Launch?
According to Activision, the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare launch broke five different records. (Although admittedly, some of these record titles are rather specific.) First of all, Modern Warfare had the biggest ever PC launch for a Call of Duty game. It was also 2019’s top-selling new premium game release (a title which is likely to go uncontested). Its first three days, in which it had more than $600 million in global sell-through, was also the most successful three-day opening for any Call of Duty on the current generation of consoles.
The two remaining records both concern the game’s digital sales. In fact, they both suggest that more and more gamers are continuing to trend away from physical media. Not only was the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare launch Activision’s biggest ever digital opening; the game even set the PS4 record for highest digital sales in the first three days. From a monetary standpoint, the launch continues to reinforce the fact that triple-A game releases are frequently exceeding the returns of blockbuster movies; thus making them the predominant branch of the entertainment industry. Joker, which was enormously successful at the box office very recently, didn’t make half of what Modern Warfare did in the same time.
“Through the first three days, Modern Warfare has more total players and total hours played than any Call of Duty opening release in the last six years,” said Activision President Rob Kostich; “More importantly, our players are having a great time playing. Congratulations to Infinity Ward and all our teams involved on an incredible game and its spectacular launch. We also want to thank the community for your incredible support. The launch of Modern Warfare is only the start. There’s much more to come.”