The team of Activision, Infinity Ward and this time, Sledgehammer Games have done it again. It took Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 just 24 hours to set records for biggest gaming launch, ever. 6.5 million copies of the game were sold within 24 hours, making $400 million (£250 million) in sales.

This news follows a pattern as Call of Duty releases have broken sales records 3 years in a row. Starting with Modern Warfare 2 setting the mark in 2009, selling 4.7 million copies in 24 hours and Black Ops selling 5.6 million copies in the same time frame.

These figures only take into account US and UK sales. It will be interesting to see the final figures once sales from all regions are tallied.

And in case you were wondering, Modern Warfare 3′s record breaking launch beats that of the other game (Battlefield 3).

[IGN]

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, one of this year’s most anticipated first person shooters is available in stores today. Previous version of Call of Duty games have sold exceptionally well and this year is expected to be no different. For Call of Duty fans, head to your local games store to grab your copy. But bear in mind with a rush to grab this game on release, there might be a few networking issues when it comes to online gameeplay.

Meanwhile, check out one of the best Modern Warfare 3 trailers below.

The official Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 3 live action trailer featuring Sam Worthington, Jonah Hill and Dwight Howard. Whether you’re a veteran of Call of Duty or a n00b just starting out, there’s a soldier in all of us.

It is unknown what will happen to these stolen copies of the game. It is only a matter of minutes before Modern Wafare 3 is released unto the public anyway.

[Source: Eurogamer]

“One pirate who was allegedly caught playing a copy claims he was fined $5,000 and faces a permanent ban from online play. “Do not buy MW3 before release date. They will come get you,” he wrote on Craigslist. “I already went through it.”"

Activison are yet to offer an official statement on this matter. Modern Warfare 3 is set for release on November 8th.

[IGN]

The all-new single player trailer for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. In the world’s darkest hour, are you willing to do what is necessary? Prepare yourself for a cinematic thrill-ride as only Call of Duty can deliver.
http://www.callofduty.com/mw3

Similar to the Kinect Star Wars bundle, the Modern Warfare 3 bundle will come with custom sounds for the system when opening and closing the disc tray. The sounds can be heard on Major Nelson’s Blog. Head past the break for the Press Release.

PRESS RELEASE

Prepare for Domination with the Xbox 360® Limited Edition Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare 3® Console, Wireless Headset with Bluetooth and Wireless Controller
Wheels up this Fall in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand

UAVs don’t scare you. You laugh in the face of helicopter strikes. You think proximity mines are for rookies. And Prestige? Please, old news. Prepare for the launch of the Xbox 360® Limited Edition Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Console.

Xbox, Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games teamed up to create a “Call of Duty” collectible, just in time for the most epic “Call of Duty” experience yet. Aside from its (air)striking good looks, the console will play unmistakable “Call of Duty” sounds when powering up and when the tray is opened.

This must-have for “Call of Duty” fans worldwide includes a customized console with graphics from the game, along with two custom wireless controllers, a 320GB hard drive, a copy of “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3,” as well as custom sounds when the console is turned on. A one month Xbox LIVE Gold subscription to Xbox LIVE is included so you can play to your heart’s content, as well as exclusive avatar items that show your Xbox LIVE friends you’re one of the lucky ones to own this coveted console.

The console will launch on November 8, 2011 in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and EMEA for $399 (U.S. ERP), and you can pre-order today at participating retailers. At 320GB, the console has the largest hard drive ever available for Xbox 360, with more than enough space to download and save game add-ons, downloadable content, games, music, photos, videos and movies. While “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3″ does not support Kinect functionality, all Xbox 360 consoles are Kinect-ready for when you’re ready to take a break from the battlefield.

In addition to the console, Xbox 360 will be releasing two limited edition accessories, both shipping to stores October 11:

· The Xbox 360® Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Wireless Headset with Bluetooth provides the ability to chat with friends during multi-player game play or with Bluetooth®-enabled mobile phones, PCs and other devices. Its artwork matches the custom console and includes a charging cradle, ear loop, ear gels, and an Xbox LIVE token for an exclusive download for $69.99 (U.S. ERP).

o Users can chat without wires on Xbox LIVE and easily switch between Xbox 360 mode and Bluetooth mode. Use the headset with Bluetooth®-enabled mobile phones, PCs and other devices. The Xbox 360® Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Wireless Headset with Bluetooth is the comfortable, hands-free way to keep the conversations going.
· The Xbox 360® Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Wireless Controller allows you to show all your friends your passion for the franchise. The controller includes exclusive artwork and a transforming D-pad that can be rotated to adapt to the user’s game play, as well as an Xbox LIVE token for an exclusive download, all for $59.99 (U.S. ERP).

For more information on the Xbox 360® Limited Edition Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Console and accessories, visit www.xbox.com and visit MajorNelson.com for a video.

[via Gizmodo | 1up]

Multiplayer gameplay trailer for Modern Warfare 3

[via Techno Buffalo]

The leaked photo above shows what will be the Hardened Edition of the upcoming Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3. The game is set for release on November 8th for Xbox 360, Playsation 3, PC, Wii and DS. From the image, it seems this Hardened Edition is aimed for the European audience but previous Limited Edition packages for Europe and US have been similar.

The Hardened Edition includes:

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 game with unique disc art.
• One year of membership in Call of Duty Elite.
• “Founder status” on Elite with exclusive in-game emblem, player card, camouflage, clan XP boost and other exclusive benefits.
• SteelBook case.
• PlayStation Network exclusive: “Animated Timeline Theme.”
• Xbox 360 exclusive: “Special Ops Juggernaut Xbox Live Outfit.”
• Limited-edition “field journal” with more than 100 pages of “authentic military sketches, diagrams and written entries.”

[Source Wired]

Get your copy of Black Ops ready and check your e-mail inbox tomorrow.

The beta test for Call of Duty Elite kicks off tomorrow. At some point during the day, the first batch of invites will be sent out by e-mail to those who registered to participate. The initial group will be “very small,” accordingto Activision’s Dan Amrich, and just because no invite shows up by day’s end doesn’t mean you won’t get to participate.

The beta makes use of Call of Duty: Black Ops, and some of what beta testers will get access to is among what will ultimately only be available to those who subscribe to Elite. Activision has already made it abundantly clear what’s available for free; regardless of the initial confusion and angst, multiplayer is still free to play, and the new social networking features, custom leaderboards, advanced statistics, video sharing, clans, and more will all be free. The entire list of what you’ll be asked to pay for, and how much the fee will be, hasn’t been announced. We do know for sure that premium members will be entitled to all “playable game DLC.”

There is no end date set for the beta, and the mobile app that will allow players to do things like customize loadouts will not be a part of this, presumably because that functionality is tied to Modern Warfare 3.

There’s no exact explanation for what order players will be selected, but the earlier you signed up, the sooner you’re likely to get in. More invitations will go out in waves, the size and frequency of which haven’t yet been decided. The plan, Amrich says, is to eventually get everyone who registered in. At last count, two million people had signed up.

He also emphasizes that this is a real beta — don’t expect everything to run perfectly. Beachhead is looking for bug reports on things that don’t work and is soliciting feedback on what it can do better.

Elite officially launches later this year alongside Modern Warfare 3 on November 8.

 

Source: 1UP

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