Modern Warfare 2 sells 4.7 million in 24 hours

For months, Activision has been predicting that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 would be the biggest launch in entertainment history. So it comes as little surprise today that the Infinity Ward-developed shooter has indeed broken all previous records for day-one game sales.

According to figures released by Activision, the sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare sold over one-third of its forebear's 14 million life-to-date sales in 24 hours in just three territories. Some 4.7 million units of the game were sold on November 10 in the US, UK, and Canada, generating $310 million dollars. By comparison, the biggest US day-one film gross, The Dark Knight, took in $158.4 million during its July 20, 2008, premiere.

UK sales of 1.32 million units were announced yesterday, and Modern Warfare 2's North American total comes to 3.38 million units. Some analysts predicted that the game would sell as many as 7 million units when other territories are included, although that total now seems a little high.

Modern Warfare 2's UK and NA numbers best Grand Theft Auto IV's global day-one sales of 3.6 million units, which also generated $310 million in sales--but in all territories worldwide. Released for the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, the new Call of Duty made more money in one day than Halo 3 did in one week, although Microsoft and Bungie's sci-fi shooter was exclusive to the Xbox 360.

For more on Modern Warfare 2, read GameSpot's full review and game guide.