Modern Warfare 2 breaking records, hearts

48 public posts in this discussion.

Post 1

In its first 24 hours, MW2 sold 1.2 million units in the UK. This is double the previous title holder, GTA IV, which sold a now seemingly modest 631 thousand copies. Most other well promoted AAA titles would sell 1.2 million in the first month, worldwide. In total, Activision shipped a massive 3 million copies to the UK, but it looks like many stores have already sold out and are awaiting for the next dispatch. But wait, there's more; it sold just shy of an additional 3.5 million units in North America, also in the first 24 hours.

It didn't just have a good launch, it had "the biggest launch in history across all forms of entertainment". On a global scale, it's estimated that up to 7 million copies were sold on the first day, and data suggests at the end of the first week we could be looking at 12 million. Broadpoint AMTech analyst Benjamin Schachter thinks 12 million could end up being a conservative figure.

If we imagine that an average unit price is AUD $90 ($62 via UK Steam store, "20 in EB Games), MW2 will have generated around abouts ",080,000,000 for those 12 million copies. Yes, that figure is over a billion dollars.

At IGN, Amazon and numerous other game media sites and online stores are being swamped by negative PC user reviews, despite sales figures. Both are registering less than a 2.0 average, contrasting the 9.2 average of mainstream press. Thankfully there are those out there with cool heads; AusGamers have avoided both the hype and the negativity felt by the community to give it a very honest 8.2/10 review score.

I didn't personally get much of a chance to play last night, but I know some of you did. Thoughts?

Post 2

Funnily enough, most of the "Boycott Modern Warfare 2" group on Steam has already purchased it, and are playing.

Post 3

I'm actually heading out in about 30mins to pick up my copy from a store.
I'd prefer the cheaper STEAM option; but dont want to bust our cap :p

Will no doubt play it to death all day - might even post up my thoughts!

Post 4

Just got back from picking up my copy.

EBGames are selling it off the shelf for $99.95. I (mistakenly) claimed that it was $89.95 on the EB website (got my games mixed up) and ended up paying $89.95. Woops :p

Post 5

lol - note to self, buy from EB Games caz in future - the guys at the palmy store actually check when you make claims like that =)

Post 6

Seriously. The single player game is pure f*cking win. The multiplayer is nothing but soul crushing disappointment. The lag is TERRIBLE. It ruins everything.

This is totally unacceptable. I can't believe it that they let this out like this.

I will literally shoot someone and they continue running around the corner and I think "well I must have missed them"... then half a second later it turns out they're dead!

The multiplayer is sooooo good apart from this. A bit arcadey, but really good. More like COD5 than the last Modern Warfare. But yes... the lag makes it pure fail.

Post 7

you must be lying, because IWnet is awesome remember? IW even told us so.

Post 8

Quote from Milenko;373737:
I'm actually heading out in about 30mins to pick up my copy from a store.
I'd prefer the cheaper STEAM option; but dont want to bust our cap :p

Will no doubt play it to death all day - might even post up my thoughts!

I just got it from JB Hifi for $79.
I am ready to bust my cap.
Plus I just started four days off.
Orsumness.

Post 9

I only play MP now - so BC2 it is...

Post 10

Modern Warfare 2 sparks ratings controversy - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Post 11

if i buy it on pc retail or steam its the same.
can i play local multiplayer with one account like you can with css?

Post 12

unless it need some kind of server... just go into offline mode and you should be right... if it has lan support.

Post 13

Having a blast on Single Player and Multiiplayer well I hate the fact it picks the server for you and the lag well reminds me of the old days...i am getting there.
Like i said in my previous post Eye Candy galore, Fun...definately..WIN well I think so...

Post 14

Singleplayer campaign was pretty awesome. Very short; but still full of win.

Multiplayer - it's not so bad I guess. It's playable.

Post 15

I'll pick it up in the new year when the price comes down to a more respectable amount for the single player campaign that it is.... unless the BC2 beta is out of course.

Post 16

If MW1 was anything to go by, MW2 will not drop in price til MW3 is about to be released

Post 17

Well if you wanted MP to improve for their future release you shouldn't have bought the game as all you are telling them is that it is OK to screw the MP we are going to buy it anyway.

Post 18

OMFG [Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cudCajMNRM0]

Post 19

That is the coolest kill ever.

Post 20

Just finished a 3.5hr stint of MP.

It's actually been quite enjoyable - the latency is not too much of an issue so far.
The only annoyances I have are when the host decides to quit; you have to wait for the game to chose a new host from the current list of players.

Post 21

It's mostly awesome.

The lag can be shite, but if you're playing with Australians with decent connections, especially someone who has AnnexM, then there are no major issues. It still obviously don't match the performance of a dedicated server, though.

It's just really depressing that it'll never be more than a quick pick-up-and-play public match game. Like the first, this could have been massive competitively. Oh wells.

Post 22

Couple great articles:

- Was Modern Warfare 2 Really The "Biggest Launch In History"? - Modern warfare 2 - Kotaku

And

- So, How Much Did Bobby Kotick Make From Modern Warfare 2? - Modern warfare 2 - Kotaku

Quote:
We know Activision made a ton of money from the launch of Modern Warfare 2, but just how much did the company's much-loved boss, Robert Kotick, manage to score for himself? Here's a hint: loads.

Flush with the success of the launch, Kotick this week offloaded almost two million Activision stock options he'd held since 2000. When they were worth ".03 each. In this post-Modern Warfare 2 world, however, they're worth around "1.50.

Want me to do the math for you? Subtract the $2 million strike price from the equation and Kotick earned himself just over $20 million. In less than a week.

Think he's an asshole? He can't hear you. His mansions are insulated with money.

Post 23

You're all sheep ;)

Post 24

Quote from morge;373773:
Well if you wanted MP to improve for their future release you shouldn't have bought the game as all you are telling them is that it is OK to screw the MP we are going to buy it anyway.

I agree, who would buy a game that has a crippled MP??? not me... I look forward to starting the SP tonight. :)

Post 25

Quote from ResLo;373784:
I agree, who would buy a game that has a crippled MP??? not me... I look forward to starting the SP tonight. :)

Do you know what you and Dan remind me of? Those old guys who come up to me at work and tell me how crap Vista is... having never used it themselves, but just going on what they've heard.

It's great fun, but it's just a different fun. I have major lag issues for some reason... almost never 4 bars... mostly 3. :(

The single player, thus far, is probably the most brilliant fps game ever. Thus far that is! Anyway. I think just the single player and co-op games are worth the asking price... not even taking multiplayer into account.

Apart from the lack of dedicated servers and lag issues this game is pretty incredible.

Post 26

I have Vista and like it so much that I have no desire or need to switch to 7 just yet... back on topic OD and I are coming from the point of view where we pick and choose what to play to death (due to those damn kids) and what to miss out on.

In this case I choose to play a certain version of MW2 so as not to feel cheated by the lack of MP games with my friends. As "ok" as the MP may be, as far as I am aware there is no way to choose what server or game you play and therefore you are stuck playing with whoever and not your mates..... which is half the fun. IW are idiots and you know it GI.

Post 27

With Jamie sitting next to me playing MW2, I think it will be worthwhile to purchase for the coop. Can't see myself playing a lot of MP (coop aside).

Least it shuts Jamie up...

Post 28

Oh so there is an upside! ... then again that extra feature of the game is only useful to ppl in QLD :)

Post 29

I've already talked OD into buying it, sorry Reslo.

The more I play it, the more I like it. By the sound of it, I like it more than GI (the hardened Modern Warfare player). That surprises me.

I played for about 4 hours team DM earlier today, and loved every moment of it (after 30 minutes of learning some maps). I'm going to put myself out there and say it: the multiplayer, even with lack of dedicated server support, is fun. Fantastic, even. Seriously fantastic.

Or maybe that's just because I was instantly kicking arse with 4/1 ratios. I tend to really like things I'm really good at. :P

There were pockets of awful, awful lag - but for the most part it was smooth sailing. Being on the East coast probably helps. However there are Steamworks/IWnet features that are fantastic, such as being able to group up with friends in a lobby, then search for a game together, and always remain on the same team on whatever servers you play on. They even have unique indicators on the in-game map etc. So cool.

To sum up, it's considerably better than the original. In every regard. Just don't expect connection-trouble free games, and obviously don't expect to ever play this in a truly competitive arena.

Post 30

Played it all day & am having a couple of hours off to relax and refresh. There are good & bad points about the MP but overall I am loving it.

Though it does seem to be that every now and then it will display one map that is about to be played and then it will be another map. Only happened twice in the 7 hours that I've played today.

Post 31

My 2 cents:

Good Points
- very pretty
- nice single player (even got coop)

Bad Points
- the bull**it server /connection tool - can take over 10 minutes to find a game now
- the bull**it server tool - can take over 10 minutes to find a game now (worth mentioning twice)
- sometimes a bit of lag (not unplayable)
- spawn points are often right next to enemy
-host quits or gets massive lag (the game pauses and everyone get shifted to another server)
- dedicated server worked - Why did they change???

Post 32

Quote:
-host quits or gets massive lag (the game pauses and everyone get shifted to another server)

That's the game choosing the next most suitable player to be host.

I think it's a grand idea personally, nothing new to those who have been playing on Xbox Live (it's exactly the same thing).

Honestly, (from a developer standpoint) why would you sink more money into the PC version to allow dedicated servers when most of the money is going to come from the 360 & PS3 versions overall.

Post 33

why dont they allow pc's to host dedicated servers for ps3 & xbox?

Post 34

for some games I think you can do it (I think shadowrun let you do it).

There's also the chance that people may be able to change some of the coding to "rank up" alot faster than intended (yes there were such servers for CoD4 & CoDWaW).

Also there's the opportunity to REALLY push DLC onto people if they are using a "closed network" for gaming

Post 35

The auto matching has never taken more than 2mins per 'server' for me.
The only problem is i feel completely disconnected from the other players - like once i've left that host; i will never see/play with them again.

No community feeling at all.

Post 36

Plenty of community feeling here... I've only ever played with GU members (Papadom, Feary, OD) - in our own party that then roams, dominating "servers". ;)

Post 37

Should've taken our invites lenko ;)

Man - this game simultaneously blows and rocks.

Talk about love hate.... Just a little bit of love on the MP side and it could have longevity...

Post 38

I'm trying to steer some of my old clanmates here too. Lenko, flick us a msg next time you're playing and we'll rock it.

oh, and don't bother with clan tags. I was in a party with a mate of min (Lv50) and tonight we must have played with 3 randoms against 4-5 "clans".

Spanked them EVERY time ;)

Post 39

Quote from OverDrive;373801:
Should've taken our invites lenko ;)

Yeah I kept seeing rec's name pop-up; but didn't realise he was inviting me to games. I thought they were just notification windows telling me he was playing a game :p

Post 40

Such a newb! :P

Post 41

OMFG. Just spent a whole round running around putting the throwing knife into people. EPIC

Post 42

Man, I am having serious trouble seeing the enemy. I'm being smoked by ****en ghosts 90% of the time im in a game.

That plus my latency means frustrating times :(

Post 43

Games On Net :: General News: MW2 Multiplayer Video Review (PC and 360)

Post 44

That's a pretty fair review too.

Post 45

i installed it last night ..

past the shit way of joining a game and them crashing all the time, the game is actually not bad ..

Post 46

i didnt get it coz reslo said it was fail online......

:p

Post 47

Played 20 hours multiplayer and am Level 40.

UMP45 is pure win. And I started playing Hardcore TDM last night, which is far better than standard TDM. Less rambo/spam, more skill/team work. Just need to play maps that can't be easily camped.

30 levels to go... sheesh.

Post 48

Quote from insidious;373832:
i didnt get it coz reslo said it was fail online......

Yeah when it suits you.

And it does fail online (in most respects).... however the SP is awesome and I thought it only fair that I upgrade from my 'demo' and see what else the game can offer.