Games publisher Activision Blizzard looks set to break records with the release of its latest video game, which went on sale worldwide this morning.
Fans began queuing early yesterday at some stores to get their copy of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, with many Irish retailers opening from midnight.
Both HMV and Gamestop held events to celebrate the official launch of the long-awaited first-person shooter game.
"It's the biggest game I've witnessed in 15 years. It's been the largest preorders for any game we've ever taken," said Michael Finucane, commercial director with GameStop. "It's phenomenal, particularly when you take into account that it's an over-18s game. Interest has been building since 12 months ago. We knew it would be big."
Mr Finucane said some eager fans were queuing from 8.15am yesterday outside the Belfast outlet.
HMV is expecting the game to become the first to break the one million barrier in its first week thanks to the significant online pre-orders, and purchases instore. The record for the fastest selling game in the UK is held by Grand Theft Auto 4, which sold 800,000 copies in its first week when it was launched in April last year.
Video game industry revenue in the United States, the world's largest market, is down 13 per cent this year, according to industry tracker NPD.
But Call of Dutyarrives amid high expectations and plenty of hype. "This is the only game I'm probably going to do this for," said Paola Altamirano (21), who was waiting in the queue at the GameStop store near Union Square in New York City last night.
With what Activision called a record level of preorders, there was little doubt about the strong demand for a game.
"Gamers are enthusiastic about picking this stuff up at midnight," said Paul Swiderski, who works at the Union Square Gamestop.
Analysts estimate up to 13 million units of the game will be sold by the end of 2009.
Additional reporting: Reuters
