Modern Warfare 4 launches strong as Call of Duty passes US$ 40 billion
Infinity Ward's new campaign is set during a North Korean invasion of South Korea, and Microsoft says the franchise has now earned US$ 40 billion in its lifetime.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 arrived last week and is off to a good start. Developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision, the game is available on PC (Steam, Battle.net and the Xbox app), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and, for the first time in the series, Nintendo Switch 2.
US$ 40 billion
On October 26, Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma celebrated the launch on X. She called it "one of the most celebrated Call of Duty games in its 24-year history" and added that the franchise has reached US$ 40 billion in lifetime revenue. The last public figure, from 2022, was US$ 30 billion.
Early indicators point the same way. Analytics firm Alinea estimated around 400,000 pre-sales on Steam before launch, about double the figure it estimated for Black Ops 7. In the United Kingdom, the game debuted as the best-selling boxed title of the week.
Campaign and modes
The campaign is set during a North Korean invasion of South Korea. Players follow Private Park, a South Korean soldier, alongside a storyline led by Captain Price, one of the most famous characters in the series. The extraction mode DMZ also returns, next to the usual multiplayer.
Key details
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2. There are no PS4 or Xbox One versions.
- Price: US$ 69.99 for the Standard Edition and US$ 99.99 for the Vault Edition.
- Game Pass: the game is not part of the subscription at launch.
Leaving older consoles behind and skipping Game Pass are two notable choices for a series that usually aims for the widest possible reach. The early sales suggest the decision has not hurt so far. The real test comes in the next few weeks, when Call of Duty faces the release of GTA VI on November 19.
