Activision Blizzard certainly doesn’t dillydally. As expected, the publisher and developer is already touting the massive success of Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. A mere day after launch, the company issued a press release declaring it “the biggest launch in history across all forms of entertainment.” Bold words, but they are backed by astonishing figures.

I expected the game to be a hot seller, but am in awe of its initial success. According to Activision Blizzard estimates, the hotly anticipated follow-up shifted approximately 4.7 million copies in North America and the United Kingdom in the first 24 hours, generating a bonkers $310 million on launch day. Like I said, pretty impressive stats. Initially, I had to re-read the press release to make sure my eyes weren’t deceiving me.

Now the company is touting five-day worldwide estimates of $550 million, enough to best records set by the theatrical releases of  Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince and The Dark Knight.

This is just the beginning, as Activision Blizzard has an entire holiday season to smugly trumpet its blockbuster hit. I fully expect to see many more press releases, alongside numerous promotions and advertisements. Prime-time television is going to be flooded with Modern Warfare 2 footage in the coming months, and one could hardly blame Activision Blizzard. Strike while the iron is hot, I say. Though, I expect the iron to stay hot for quite a long time. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has sold over 13 million copies worldwide since its 2007 release, and remains a staple on the Xbox Live activity charts. For the week of Nov. 9, it ranked second behind – get ready – Modern Warfare 2, according to information available at majornelson.com.

One has to wonder just how far into the market Modern Warfare 2 will penetrate. Given initial sales, I imagine it will easily surpass those of its predecessor. Games often come out of the gates fast, only to tail off soon after, but Modern Warfare 2 is sure to remain a top seller for the foreseeable future. Don’t forget about DLC, which will boost sales, as well as profit.

In essence: We are seeing something truly remarkable.

Image credit to IGN

Sources: Activision Blizzard, Activision Blizzard, majornelson.com