Modern Warfare 2 sells 1.23 million in UK

Activision shooter breaks day-one records in Britain, almost doubling previous mark set by GTAIV.

In addition to being one of the most preordered and critically acclaimed games this year, it appears Activision's epic shooter is on its way to becoming the best-selling game of 2009. According to UK industry body ELSPA and sales tracker GfK ChartTrack, the Infinity Ward-developed Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has sold more than 1 million copies in the UK on launch day, surpassing the previous one-day record holder Grand Theft Auto IV by a considerable margin.

Modern Warfare 2's day-one total will help pay for Infinity Ward's long-planned group heli-skiiing holiday.

Combined sales of the game totaled a staggering 1.23 million units within the first 24 hours, with a gross value of approximately £47 million ($77.8 million). That's almost double the 631,000-unit and £27.2 million ($45.0 million) day-one totals of Grand Theft Auto IV, which launched on April 29, 2008. The day also saw the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilised for the DS and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Reflex for the Wii, which were not included in the total.

ELSPA director general Michael Rawlinson took the opportunity to promote ELSPA's PEGI-aligned rating system, which replaced the BBFC's rating system earlier this year. "These first day sales figures are astonishing and clear evidence that video games are now mainstream in the UK," Robinson said in a statement. "Our form of interactive entertainment has completely come of age. Just like some movies and books, this is specifically intended for an adult audience and accordingly has emotional, adult content."

For more information on Modern Warfare 2 visit GameSpot's launch centre.

The GameSpot UK team brings you all the action from the massive UK launch of Modern Warfare 2.

138 Comments

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Nov 15, 2009 8:05 am PT

    Although quite short, i like the SP game and also love Spec' Ops mode, dont really care for the MP mode though, seems like Halo with modern weaponry, still get the 'nade' noobs.

  • evaneself

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 10:15 am PT

    I buy only what is mine after I bought it.

  • Fat_Boy_Skinny

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 8:48 am PT

    @plightstar they removed modding tools and dedicated servers on purpose to try to stop piracy.why?
    how many people pirated COD MW?not many and how many copies did the game sell? millions
    this is them trying too maximise profits even if it cripples playability(listening servers are horrendously laggy).
    another reason for IW net is to force players to pay for DLC if they want to keep playing.in short, screw u IW u dont care about your community and only care about profit margins

  • plightstar

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 8:19 am PT

    If Michael Bay made games then it would be the modern warfare series, all flashy with big explosions, without any substance and large set pieces and ignoring the fans.

    I just hope IW fix the problems with patches included MOD support and Dedicated servers, its not 1996 anymore, and people expect dedicated servers and the ability to kick hackers and cheaters. Steams VAC doesn't work and what happens if you want to play with just your mates with no random's, oh wait you can't.

  • iucidium

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 8:17 am PT

    @obsidian. Well the way wales,scotland and ireland treat us it isn't much united anymore, lrn2history

  • ObsidianRocker

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 1:45 am PT

    @iucidium

    What, the UK is comprised of only England to you? Lrn2geography

  • gamescottsman

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 1:27 am PT

    This game has sold so well because of a: Uber Hype b: people are hoping for a COD4 clone but better. Being a Hardcore fan of COD4, I felt this game was more like COD 5 mixed with COD4 which I don't like. I avoided COD5 WW2 shooter but no with dismay I find they have made MW2 like it! IMO

  • badtaker

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 12:44 am PT

    Good for Console gamers
    I hate Infinity Ward and MW2 don't ask why?

  • Zaibach

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 12:32 am PT

    not shocked, here in the UK we're only too eager to swallow american pop culture like presciption medication.

  • skullflower

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 12:06 am PT

    Over 1 million in the UK alone?! Gawd blimey!

  • SicklySunStorm

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 12:02 am PT

    Whoever said "USA sold more".... well DUH!? USA has 300m+ people, UK has around 60-65m, you do the math

  • bennae66

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 10:39 pm PT

    @everyone:

    really, people complaining about a lack of an early review? CMON, you and i all knew what it would be like. pretty explosions, lots of shooting, doors that cant be opened, linear paths to victory, toss in a bit of macho melodrama. really, i diddnt need a review to tell me i diddnt need this game. to quote a very famous villian clad in black and hooked up to a respirator: 'search in your feelings, you know it be true' did we really need confirmation? you were either going to buy it, or not. pretty simple. no review would change many minds. to think otherwise is folly

  • bennae66

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 10:34 pm PT

    i dont go and see hollywood over-glorified movies on day 1 at full price. they have lots of pretty explosions and brain dead characters, but man, lots of shooting. now where have i heard of a game similar to that... ahhh well, on a completley unrelated note, i dont really care about modern warfare 2. yes, let the thumbs down commence! (perhaps i lie: i care enough that i will borrow it off a mate and play and finish it in my work lunch break and return to him that night with a thankyou)

  • YoJim8obaJoe

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 10:25 pm PT

    Leo_the_Lion25

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 10:07 pm GMT

    USA sold more ^.^



    are you surprised with the size difference?

  • iucidium

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 7:54 pm PT

    And the majority of cannabis smokers I know (suprise surprise) LOVE the game.

  • iucidium

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 7:53 pm PT

    They forgot to mention english kids like to kill, that's why it sold so well

  • hannify

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 7:36 pm PT

    It not a suprise. Morrisons and sainsburys were selling ps3/xbox version for £26! And if you had membership to Makro - £20!

  • KittyHeart

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 6:07 pm PT

    mw2

    everyone haz it!

  • rafaelp11

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 5:37 pm PT

    not bad!, who's gonna be the best selling video games this year?

  • Kleeyook

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 3:40 pm PT

    I'm beginning to hate GS. They review League of Legend too soon and gave it very low score because the game is out on the store while u have to wait until 17th November to unlock the contents exclusive for those who bought retail which they shouldn't do because the game is free. But they haven't reviewed MW2 yet. WTF is wrong with them.

  • delcidanddarth

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 3:19 pm PT

    @Daman92

    I don't think Bioshock is a typical FPS game, the only reason being it is only a single player game. In this case, I think it's an unfair comparison because Bioshock's only gameplay option was the "campaign" mode, which is played much more like a continuous survival/rpg/fps game. And if MW2 tried to be a single player only game, then for sure, the story should be much longer... but would the game be better?

  • PUREPL7YA

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 3:01 pm PT

    @thorsen-ink: Thanks!

  • thorsen-ink GameSpot staff member

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:57 pm PT

    @PUREPL7YA Sometimes we get the game far enough in advance where we can do all that pre-release date. This was not one of those times.

  • PUREPL7YA

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:53 pm PT

    @thorsen-ink: Glad to hear you guys are taking your time, but how does that apply to GTA 4, Killzone 2, Uncharted 2 and many other games which got reviewed before they were released on the streets? Spec-Ops and MP must be pretty dang deep and involved...

  • thorsen-ink GameSpot staff member

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:40 pm PT

    @coolbeans90 The reason our reviews are sometimes later than other sites' is that we test every aspect of the game. In this case, they've gone through the whole SP campaign, co-op special ops mode, and regular MP. Those latter two take a lot of time because you have to evaluate the various levels and rewards and whatnot. It will be up soon.

  • Wings_008

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:37 pm PT

    i'll contribute to these numbers soon

  • ProGamerNerd

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:28 pm PT

    just search up the most expensive game it took to make. and its going to be gta.lol 10/10 goty lol that money went on every single detal and rockstar said that there not even adding nothing yet? there going to add more in gta5 watch its going to be in vice city. and gta 6 in san.

  • darkcomedian

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:27 pm PT

    @ Altiar25
    I couldnt have said it better myself

  • ProGamerNerd

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:27 pm PT

    gta 4 was most expensive game in the world and added the most un imaginable things in it not they come with cod 6 probably needed like 30 mill compared to 100 mill saying it better lol. dont get me wrong cod 6 is awsome as a ps3 fan i prefer it over mgs anyday. but i wouldint prefer this over gta4 and its deserves the hype its getting cod. but gta games are to good for cod

  • darkcomedian

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:25 pm PT

    Wouldnt that be awesome if the saboteur outsold MW 2?

  • shmony1

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:23 pm PT

    @Leo_the_Lion25no usa sold more u think so maybe cus theres almost 300 million of u retarded people

  • jay_rock_

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:23 pm PT

    Like who didnt see that coming lol good for them now take that cash and make more AAA games not just one...

  • gamermanps2

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:20 pm PT

    Woo. Gaming is taking over the world.

  • BigBoss2014

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:17 pm PT

    got it today, very good, not nearly half as good as was hyped, but that was super high, still... very good

  • Leo_the_Lion25

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:07 pm PT

    USA sold more ^.^

  • x8VXU6

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:56 pm PT

    Any time gamespot want to make a review for this game would be nice. Yeap just take ur time...... any minute now

  • ANTFARANO

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:55 pm PT

    meh, so so

  • dapman418

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:48 pm PT

    wait.. WATS TIS MODURN WARFERE 2? never heard of it lolol

  • Lordx67

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:45 pm PT

    Population of UK is roughly 70 million so...1 out of 70 in the UK own Modern Warfare 2. Pretty staggering...

  • biggest_loser

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:27 pm PT

    So far it seems like a strong title. The boycott is over! Most of the people that are rubbishing it probably haven't even bought it. There is no lag so far with the P2P system on PC. Let it be heard!!

  • Slaughtahouse

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:26 pm PT

    I don't see why this game is so good. The first one was fun but it got boring, fast. This game doesn't offer much more. What co-op? Oh yea thats new! More like wow took them long enough. Multiplayer can't be much different from the first and the campaign is short. Why do people spend 70$ upwards to 150$ on one mainstream game? I don't get it.

  • anotherone10

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:25 pm PT

    Someone is going to swim around in alot of cash...

  • coolbeans90

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:23 pm PT

    Is Gamespot deliberately trying to lose its reader base by writing sales articles, and strategy guides before even putting up a review?

  • ProGamerNerd

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:21 pm PT

    lol i like cod but it beat gta4 record in britian not world wide, gta 4 sold 6 million unites worldwide in 24 hours lol stop focusing only on uk lol theres usa to lol. 1.23 vs 6.00 units lol lets see if it can be worldwide sales and if it does its wouldint beat gta4 reception. tho cod 4 is only cod i like and i get 6 is anoter one. the other cods suck bisides this and 4.

  • Altiar25

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:19 pm PT

    Such a shame. Looks like we dont need new ideas in video games you idiots just buy the same recycled crap again and again.

  • juberline

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:19 pm PT

    @k2theswiss

    couldn't agree more. if news of Halo 4 being released and as multiplatform then i think it would top COD MW 2.

  • sleepnsurf

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:16 pm PT

    Beat the campaign in 1 day on Veteran. Too easy but awesome story and gamesplay. Bring on Bad Company 2!

  • alastairf

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:16 pm PT

    how about you post a review instead of loads of trivial MW2 videos and game guides

advertisement

Related Content

Matches based on text similarity.

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Boxshot
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Game Stats

  • Rank:
    5 of 79,397
    (down by 1)
    X360 Rank:
    3 of 1,941
    Highest Rank:
    1 in 2009
    Tracking:
    24,736 Track It»
    Wishlists:
    6,033 Wish It»
  • Users Now Playing:
    3,076
  • Top 5 User Tags:
    1. modern warfare 2
    2. call of duty
    3. activision
    4. cod
    5. infinity ward
  • Mature Rating Description

    Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language. Learn more

Full Game Details »Close
Also on

Related Games

Recent News

See All News »

Site Blogs