Call of Duty: Modern Warfare has set new commercial records for Activision following its release last week, the publisher announced in a press release today. The game has sold more units in its first three days than any other in the series this console generation and marks the biggest digital launch in Activision’s history, grossing more than $600 million in the process.
The numbers mean Modern Warfare is now the top-selling premium game release of 2019.
Activision’s marketing arrangement with Sony included exclusive content for the PS4 platform, which no doubt contributed to a record-setting number of digital pre-orders on the PlayStation Network and the highest three-day digital sales ever on PlayStation 4. The previous record-holder was Red Dead Redemption 2.
Its performance over on Blizzard’s Battle.net was also impressive, with sales up year-on-year in comparison with Black Ops 4. It was the franchises’ biggest PC launch ever.
Bobby Kotick, Activision Blizzard’s Chief Executive Officer comments:
“Call of Duty is once again the top-selling new premium game of the year, proving the enduring nature of the franchise across console, PC, mobile, and esports.
In its first three days of release, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare more than doubled the box office opening of Joker.”
Rob Kostich, president of Activision, also weighed in:
“Through the first three days, Modern Warfare has more total players and total hours played than any Call of Duty opening release in the last six years. More importantly, our players are having a great time playing.
Congratulations to Infinity Ward and all our teams involved on an incredible game and its spectacular launch. We also want to thank the community for your incredible support. The launch of Modern Warfare is only the start. There’s much more to come.”
Modern Warfare is a soft-reboot of arguably the Call of Duty franchise’s most popular spin-off. It also marks the return of a story-driven campaign, which was absent from last year’s Black Ops 4.
Its critical reception has been mostly positive. Twinfinite’s own review is underway and will publish soon, but you can find our guide extensive guide coverage here.
Today’s news follows on from UK retail chart-tracking via UKIE yesterday, which saw Modern Warfare dethrone FIFA 20.
