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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare became the best selling game of all time on its launch day, shifting over 6.5 million copies in its first 24 hours in the UK and US alone.

Expectations for the latest title in the Activision franchise were high, but all hopes were exceeded as MW3 raked in over $400 million in those two markets.

Activision's CEO Bobby Kotick said in a statement: "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. 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."

Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg added: "Call of Duty is more than a game. It’s become a major part of the pop cultural landscape. It is a game that core enthusiasts love, but that also consistently draws new people into the medium. It is the most intense, adrenaline pumping entertainment experience anywhere. I would like to thank our incredible teams at Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games for making a brilliant game. But most of all, I would like to thank our millions of passionate fans worldwide. We made this game for you."

Modern Warfare 3 is available on XBox 360, PS3 and PC.

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