Modern Warfare Sales Expected to Break Records

According to analysts, the sequel to 2007's successful shooter Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare will be the biggest entertainment release of all time, topping currently held records by Grand Theft Auto IV (which in turn topped previous champ Halo 3).

Analyst Mike Hickey of Janco Partners said of Modern Warfare 2's potential success, "It's possible that the game could be one of the largest entertainment releases of all time. If you assume similar channel unit sales velocity as ['Grand Theft Auto IV'], the game could potentially sell through 7.8 million units globally with an estimated retail value of more than $569 million in the first week... It's possible the game could sell through to consumers 4.6 million units globally with an estimated retail value of more than $338 million in the first day."

If Hickey's predictions hold true in the end, Modern Warfare 2 would topple Grand Theft Auto's first day sales record of $310 million, which is currently the biggest entertainment release (video game or otherwise) in history.

Game sales had been holding their own in a difficult economy, although manufacturers have reported a recent slump.