Is the entertainment industry starting to show signs of an evolution or migration of interests? While games may sell for a much higher price than a movie ticket, it isn't very often you here of games opening sales records on the same level as their Hollywood counterparts. However, this is exactly what the new Call of Duty title, Modern Warfare 2, has achieved. The games US$335mil opening weekend sales have beaten the box office record for an opening weekend held by the recent smash hit The Dark Knight.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 blasted past $US300 million ($324.4 million) in sales on its opening day, blowing away Hollywood films to become the highest-grossing entertainment launch ever.

"MW2" sold 4.7 million copies and racked up $335 million dollars in sales in the US and UK alone when the eagerly anticipated title made its worldwide debut this week, according to publisher Activision.

The videogame bested Batman superhero film The Dark Knight, which holds the record for the top opening weekend ever by taking in $171 million dollars in July 2008.

Cultural phenomenon

"The Call of Duty franchise has become a cultural phenomenon showing the power of videogames as an entertainment medium," said Activision chief executive Mike Griffith.

MW2 is the sixth title in the Call of Duty franchise that has won a devoted following for its cinematic gameplay since the first version was released in 2003.

Activision believes MW2 will be such a hit that the California-based company will see record operating margins. Pre-orders for the videogame – priced at up to $120 - were the highest in the firm's history.

Euphoric via news.com.au »