Biggest Entertainment Event of 2009

[JPetrillo]

When "Modern Warfare 2," the latest installment in Activision's long-running "Call of Duty" series will go on sale at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, it will not only be the biggest game event of the year. There's a very good chance it will be the biggest entertainment event of 2009.

Analysts expect the game could sell 4.5 to 5 million copies globally on its first day. That would shatter the 3.6 million record currently held by Take Two Interactive Software's "Grand Theft Auto IV" — and it would mean revenues of $270 million to $300 million for Activision.

In the long run, those big first day numbers may be just a drop in the bucket, too. Eric Handler, senior equity analyst for MKM Partners, says he expects the game to sell 19 million copies over the next 24 months.

"Activision's treating this as the biggest entertainment event of the year, rather than just the biggest video game of the year," Handler says.

Noting the continuing excitement surrounding the title, Handler recently raised his fourth quarter shipping estimate for "Modern Warfare 2" from 9 million to 11 million and noted "this projection could still prove conservative." He expects the game to account for 36 percent of Activision's bottom line in the fourth quarter. long-running "Call of Duty" series will go on sale at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, it will not only be the biggest game event of the year. There's a very good chance it will be the biggest entertainment event of 2009.

Full Story: 'Modern Warfare 2': Biggest Entertainment Event of 2009? - Video Games * Technology * News * Story - CNBC.com

[VA1N]

Video games are outselling movies and compact discs (CDs) across the board. It's no doubt that this will be the biggest event of the year. It has everything gamers want. While my favorite genre is RPG, the masses love their FPS. Along with FPS, they love their action. Throw in some suspense and controversy (the LAX airport scene and DC in flames) and you have yourself the biggest entertainment event of the year. I couldn't agree more with this article.