Modern Warfare 2 sells 1.23 million in UK

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.

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.