Modern Warfare 3 Sells 6.5 Million in First 24 Hours of Release

By Matthew Bennett, Associate Editor
Posted on November 11, 2011 AT 08:20am

THE BUZZ: Modern Warfare 3 was, ”the biggest entertainment launch ever,” with a sell through of $400 million thanks to 6.5 million units sold in the UK and U.S. alone during its first 24 hours.

This marks the third consecutive year that the Call of Duty franchise has set a day one record, with Black Ops and Modern Warfare 2 pulling off the same achievement in 2010 and 2009. ”We believe the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is the biggest entertainment launch of all time in any medium, and we achieved this record with sales from only two territories,” said Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. ”Other than Call of Duty, there has never been another entertainment franchise that has set opening day records three years in a row. Life-to-date sales for the Call of Duty franchise exceed worldwide theatrical box office for Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, two of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time.”

EGM’s TAKE: There is no stopping it. Call of Duty is a massive steamroller and we are all pavement.

Matthew Bennett has only been covering the gaming world for a short while, but he’s eager to make his mark. An ability to go many hours without sleep and a quick wit make him ideal for his role as associate editor at EGMNOW.com. He often thinks back to the days when the very idea of this career seemed like nothing but an impossible dream. Follow him on Twitter @mattyjb89. Meet the rest of the crew.

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