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Modern Warfare 2 breaks GameStop preorder record

Activision and Infinity Ward's anticipated military FPS becomes most anticipated game in specialty retailer's history.

Infinity Ward certainly hasn't been skirting controversy in the lead-up to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's impending November 10 launch. Last month, the developer received flak from the enthusiast PC community over its decision to not support player-run, mod-friendly dedicated servers. Shortly thereafter, Infinity Ward raised eyebrows after confirming the authenticity of leaked footage that revealed a controversial sequence in the single-player campaign.

Modern Warfare 2 preorders are speeding off the shelves.

Modern Warfare 2 preorders are speeding off the shelves.

Public-relations headaches they may be, but the gaffes have ostensibly done nothing to stymie demand for Infinity Ward's latest. Speaking to USA Today, GameStop executive vice president for merchandising and marketing Tony Bartel said today that Modern Warfare 2 is the single most preordered game in the specialty retailer's history.

"By all indicators, we anticipate Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will be the biggest entertainment launch of all time," he said. "As of today, the number of preorder reservations we've taken for the game is the highest for any title we've ever sold in our 6,200 store network." In August, Activision said that Modern Warfare 2 had become the most preordered game in the publisher's history.

Bartel didn't specify which game Modern Warfare 2 eclipsed, though a likely contender would be Take-Two's Grand Theft Auto IV. The top-rated action adventure launched in April 2008 to opening-week sales of $500 million, a figure which Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick constituted "the largest launch in the history of interactive entertainment, and we believe these retail sales levels surpass any movie or music launch to date."

[UPDATE] A GameStop representative has confirmed that the previous most preordered game was Microsoft and Bungie's Xbox 360-exclusive Halo 3.

GameStop is offering a number of preorder incentives to go along with Modern Warfare 2's launch. Namely, those who purchase the game in advance at the specialty retailer can enter to win a number of prizes inspired by the game, including a Hummer H2, Polaris snowmobile, and Ducati motorcycle.

Modern Warfare 2 will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on November 10. For more information on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

655 Comments

  • TheRealUser101

    Posted Aug 8, 2011 6:40 am GMT

    Activision, being Modern Warfare 3's publisher, is showing the games multiplayer at the Call of Duty XP convention on September 2. All of the Modern Warfare 3 perks, weapons, maps will be shown there. MW3 is going to be great.

  • rohr2

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 3:20 pm GMT

    And melty have you even played a Battlefield game? They require moar strategy then trying to troll us.

  • rohr2

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 3:19 pm GMT

    @Melty
    Hmm, let's see here. I say Call of Duty sucks IMO. I really prefer the Battlefield series. At least you have to lead your shots in it. But what makes you come off as a troll is when you tell me to go back to Wii shovelware. Yes, turning on your allies for gold isn't EXTREMELY realistic but they want that gold so they can get out of the army. It's their motive.


    tl;dr version: Stop making assumptions just because i said that your favorite series sucks IMO.

  • TT_audi_34

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 10:12 pm GMT

    People are saying this game is the biggest release in entertainment history. If that's the case then this game is bigger than Batman Dark Knight, Titanic and Michael Jackson. WOW!!! I didn't know it was that big. Even some Girls in my school who don't play video games talk about this game. I can't wait until I get this game!!!!!!!!!!!

  • escherfied

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 10:06 pm GMT

    The real Halo killer

  • DDR_Midian

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 7:21 pm GMT

    @L337G4M3R666 could always just buy a FragFX for the PS3 and there goes the PC version's biggest advantage.

  • L337G4M3R666

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 3:26 pm GMT

    Moriarte: Ignoring IW.net, is the PC version a direct port of the console version?
    Mackey-IW: No, PC has custom stuff like mouse control, text chat in game, and graphics settings.

  • brow3458

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 1:49 pm GMT

    i want this game!!!!!

  • VectrexFanBoy

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 12:09 pm GMT

    id k.. i'm gonna wait till i can get a used copy, with the massive sales that shouldn't be hard =)

  • Cetanu07

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 11:00 am GMT

    it was so tempting to steal unopened boxes of presitige editions at work. ive seen probably over 100+ boxes of them. one of them opened, the nvgs dont look to bad

  • whitehawk_77

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 10:33 am GMT

    never knew so many people liked pc fps, would never have imagined it because imo controller > mouse & keyboard, the options do sound better and what this game should have done instead of taking them away from pc player is add the options to consoles

  • ZippyDSMLee

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 9:48 am GMT

    Uhg I won;t be touching this consofied piece of crap any time soon....... Its not that the PC is "better" mind you I prefer its control setup over "assisted" control pad gaming. With little options,smaller levels and forced auto aiming modern FPS are dumbed down to the inth degree.... A good game is a good game regardless of the system its on and there are fewer good ones(in any genre) these days...

  • Maverickx25

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 9:20 am GMT

    Because of all the preorders for this game at work, we don't have a backroom anymore.

  • MERGATROYDER

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 9:12 am GMT

    I see this game hitting a billion dollars in a week. Maybe that will allow IW to make more then a single Map Pack. Who agrees?

  • keyboardswiz

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 2:35 am GMT

    macgyver12345 you're a nerd and you're also a little retarded to me. I know I can't insult otherwise I get a moderation but how can you respond at statements like that?

  • keyboardswiz

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 2:33 am GMT

    Thehobb I hope you're joking or at least you're 10 years old.

  • keyboardswiz

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 2:31 am GMT

    nazgul9910 please stop saying BS console fanboy.

  • NoHotAshes

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 12:17 am GMT

    ok so if you have a group of equally skilled gamers, put them on an FPS and then divided them into two equal teams, one team uses controllers, and the other team uses mouse and keyboard. Who would win?...its obvious

  • nazgul9910

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 11:46 pm GMT

    This is just my opinion, but i think that fps games are a lot better on the consoles compared to pc. On the other hand, I prefer rpg and rts games on pc over consoles. Also, i dont think a game's quality should be based on whether you can mod it or not. Just sayin.

  • oldschoolKEN

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 9:33 pm GMT

    I cant believe they took out dedicated servers. If i was buying this for my i'd be ticked off. Most fps games are better on pc solely for this reason and the mouse's superiority to the controller. I can use a usb mouse on my ps3 right?

  • severe_009

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 8:00 pm GMT

    And btw if the dedicated server was not removed for the PC version of MW2,
    an was a immature/spoiled brat nerd... I would be laughing and bashing at you console gamers, for not having the benefits of dedicated server.

  • severe_009

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 7:55 pm GMT

    I love the SP of Modern Warfare but the MP part sucks!
    I guess this time it will be just the same 9v9 same old MP,...
    This game will just be average, well I'll buy it if they will make it 32 versus 32...

    I guess most people prefer buying "overhyped/overrated game" over "quality game"

    Oh well...

  • Its_a_me_luigi

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 6:51 pm GMT

    @ Nc23Nick
    Just wait til Reach.

  • Nc23Nick posted Nov 5, 2009 3:25 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Nc23Nick

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 3:25 pm GMT (hide)

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

    c'mon let halo keep it's record

  • Thehobb posted Nov 5, 2009 3:20 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Thehobb

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 3:20 pm GMT (hide)

    i just gotta say, to me a console was made for the sole purpose of playing games.

    PC is just a tool to make your school, college paper or work better and faster. PC gamers are a joke to me, the only thing they like in fps is the fact that they can aim better with a mouse and hack everything.

    if you put them in a console, we would kick their arses!!!! long live CONSOLES!!!!!!

  • beer_tree

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 1:41 pm GMT

    They ruined this game for the PC Gamers. The whole reason to play on PC is for the dedicated servers. Not to mention the MONEY they will lose with people not paying for servers... Very dumb move especially the losing money part, they should see it coming because everything is about MONEY now a days

  • lolPawnt

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 12:58 pm GMT

    Sorry Bungie, and I'mma let you finish, but Modern Warfare 2 has the most preorders of all time. OF ALL TIME

  • macgyver12345 posted Nov 5, 2009 11:53 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    macgyver12345

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 11:53 am GMT (hide)

    PC is for nerds. Go play warcraft

  • NoHotAshes

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 11:24 am GMT

    The whole reason were annoyed at IW is because they are doing it like the consoles!! The pc is not a console, i own consoles and i own a gaming pc. I and many others do not want console games on our pc's i spend 300 on a console for console games, and i spend well over 1000 for a gaming pc. console games are fun but the fact is gaming pcs are faaaar superior to consoles whether you know it or not and when developers produce lazy ports like this its just a joke, i mean IW has taken away from MW2 on pc, dedicated servers, mod support, the freaking console, leaning, recording, lan, and instead given us 9v9 max 100 ping p2p multiplayer, and then throw insulting claims that pc features are mouse support, text chat, and graphics settings.....really, if u dont see whats wrong with that u obviously have no idea how much superior fps games are on the pc, and as much as i love my consoles as well i will never play an fps on a console with a controller and p2p, you cannot go to fps on consoles after playing them on pc for so long and seeing how superior they are, it is a huuuuuuge step backwards

  • Inconnux

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 11:02 am GMT

    @killakin I only play on servers that have taken the idiotic perks out... No Noobtubes, No martyrdumb, No last stand... They have taken this option away from PC gamers... it has nothing to do with 'hacking'. I also like servers that only use certain maps, many of the 'stock' maps that come with CoD4 are horrible, unbalanced jokes. No such option with MW2. 9v9 max players? what a joke. Play on a 32v32 server on a decent large map and you will see some fun... all they have done is dumbed down the multiplayer to console level... which is unacceptable for PC gamers who are used to a much better experience.

  • killakin

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 10:33 am GMT

    Why are u guys on the PC so PO'd? if u wanna mod ur game so bad, go play crisis. IW is just doing it the same way as the consoles, and they are gonna have PLENTY of fun with out having to tweak it. It's just all of you hackers out there who can't leave anything alone that are freaking out so much. Just chill out, the game will still rock... hard.

  • prioritymail

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 10:02 am GMT

    Anyone could have seen this coming.

  • Inconnux

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 8:54 am GMT

    The reason this is failing on the PC is because this is a direct console port. PC gamers are use to a higher standard. No dedicated servers, 9v9 max players, no Mod tools, no developer console, no support for widescreen monitors (65 FOV only), 100ms ping times and no Leaning!!! makes this a very sub standard game on the PC. The vast majority of these sales are for the Xbox360.

  • TRUEBRIT2007

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 5:32 am GMT

    Boycott this rip-off!

  • pmcubed

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 5:19 am GMT

    how many of those are PC? and its only gamestop... what about all the other retailers.. way to go hype machine. I bet IW put you up to it too...

  • Yapjer

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 2:31 am GMT

    The funny thing is when IW/Activision looks at the insanely poor sales they're just gonna blame it on pirates... and tell us that it's console exclusive... it might as well be, if it's gonna have no dedi servers

  • left4right

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 12:16 am GMT

    halo 3 odst was a big flop, thats why i dont trust gs reviews any more, i wasted 60 dollars on this crap

  • KittyHeart

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 10:55 pm GMT

    the hype fort this game is huge...

    so huge that even i want the game....lol and i've nver played any cod game before...

  • deeper_crust

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 10:54 pm GMT

    Die in hell IW

  • wondernova

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 8:41 pm GMT

    to all pc owners,

    you guys gotta calm down. the reason why COD4 was such a massive hit, wasnt cos of the pc version. its what it brought to the home console. finally we had an online fps, not set in a fantasy world, that was brilliant.

    so pc owners may be complaining bout no dedicated servers or whatever. its the console versions that will be the hit.

  • Flint247

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 8:29 pm GMT

    They put Eminem in the launch trailer? D:

  • SL4Y3Rftw

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 7:59 pm GMT

    stuff this game no dedicated servers = FLOP thats why every PC user should screw over IW and torrent this game and hopefully other Developers see this as an opportunity and learn from IW's mistakes and then destroy Infinity Ward piece by piece and i hope now that Treyarch see IW's big mistake and smack them in the face and spit on them making their version of COD better + dedicated servers. IW.NET will fail anything that has a console multiplayer system is fail it is even easier to pirate online then ever and even hackers will be able to cheat without a worry in the world, and then what IW and Activision seriously think us PC gamers will pay for DLC? they can keep dreaming.

    Look at Wolfenstein that has a pretty poorly made MP game and yet it had Dedicated Servers. Thats why Wolfenstein > Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

    And yes this game does look interesting SinglePlayer/Coop wise but there is no reply value like there is in MP eventually you will just get sick of playing the same thing over and over

  • rann89

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 7:28 pm GMT

    @shemrom

    If you'd read the posts of the complaints, you'd see not all the complaints are about the game as much as about Infinity Ward. They made a good game out of a fluke idea that happened to work out, and now they're charging for all this crap like they're one of the best designers around. It's like your best friend becoming a millionaire and thinking he's a lot better than you. Why would you spit on someone's face like that? I'm probably going to get the game to be honest, because I won't be paying for the extras that the console players are going to be 2 months down the line. But it's even worse for them. And honestly, considering how short the campaign is, Ii'm thinking about just renting it and turning it in early, because despite its length the first campaign was really awesome and I'm sure it will be for the second.

  • supertamal2000

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 7:23 pm GMT

    theres a lot of fanboys just drooling over little mirrors, its sad many havent noticed how much restrictions and changes they're adding that its gonna kill the game's fun . it will feel just like bioshock, only a very good single player game. I'ts sad because what made COD4 very special was its online community.
    now kids, learn to see past gimmicks , promo-videos and try to process the real thing!.

  • killeroo

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 7:15 pm GMT

    FU IW

  • darthvader1993

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 7:00 pm GMT

    *MW had one of the single best one player experience i've ever had.

    But I found online lackluster. Playing hours on end to get a gun you probably didn't want? Meh

    I never really found the multiplayer maps to be much more of a "I'm going to crouch in this corner with my m14 and shoot anyone who walks by"

    If you didnt get the game first day, and played it non-stop, you were left in the dust gear-wise.

    But to the people who get the game and enjoy it... Cool, get a shotgun headshot for me will ya?

  • shemrom

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 6:38 pm GMT

    I believe we came to an age where if anyone fines one problem, he mass a whole sward of people who want to hate on anything they can and tried to show off so they think they are cool and such.

    i don't care so much of these people complaints, this game is one of those rarities shock full of fun, and if they want to try to denounce it, that's fine. But it shows they just trying to fit in a crowd that's their views and speck out are false deep down, as they tried to pleases there friends opinions.

  • samissleman17

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 5:54 pm GMT

    a buncha complainers here. From what i've seen, they've added a lot of sweet guns and multiplayer things. Its looks really fun, with lots of upgrades and everything. If you dont like FPS, go somewhere else and stop trolling forums. Its nothing but average. thats apparent from the first level.

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