Modern Warfare 2 launch aims to eclipse Halo 3, GTA IV

Activision already has great expectations for Modern Warfare 2, but outselling all previous Call of Duty titles is just the beginning. The publisher has hired marketing firm TWBA/Chiat/Day and given it marching orders to deliver the "biggest entertainment launch of all time."

In order to accomplish this, MW2 will need to surpass some established launch sales triumphs. The first is Halo 3, with 1.7 million copies moved on day one in fall 2007. More recently, Grand Theft Auto IV took the title of "biggest launch" thanks to first day sales of 3.6 million units. At this point, we think Activision needs to be less concerned with its game being huge -- it will be -- and more focused on ensuring PSN and Xbox Live don't utterly die when it hits stores November 10.

[Via GI.biz]

Modern Warfare 2 launch aims to eclipse Halo 3, GTA IV originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Retailers list DJ Hero for $120, handful of other Activision titles detailed

Pegging the release date of DJ Hero as October 27, GameStop is listing the game with a $120 price tag across all consoles -- turntable peripheral in-tow. While we are, at very best, suspicious of any release dates or price tags attached to retailer listings, both GameStop and Amazon have details on not just DJ Hero, but also Guitar Hero 5, Band Hero and, strangely, Modern Warfare 2 (in Collector's Edition form, priced at $80). Those with a keen eye and a nose for all things "exploitable" will note that these titles all come from mega-publisher Activision, making us wonder if the company has simply released the information to retail before anyone else.

Considering the price for Tony Hawk Ride (and its living room-destroying peripheral of $120), a precedent for unproven peripheral pricing has certainly been set. We've asked for comment from Activision regarding the release dates and pricing, though had yet to hear back as of publishing.

Retailers list DJ Hero for $120, handful of other Activision titles detailed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Nielsen: Halo 3: ODST, God of War 3, Wii Sports Resort most desired games post-E3

Now that the excitement of E3 has died down, research firm Nielsen has readied the results of a new survey, which gauged consumer purchase intent for titles from the show. Obtained between June 7 to June 14, the results (via Edge) concluded that Bungie's upcoming jaunt through New Mombasa, Halo 3: ODST, had the highest purchase intent, with 53% of respondents taking interest. It was followed by God of War 3, which received 49% in support of its comical, over-the-top violence, and Nintendo's log-splitting sim, Wii Sports Resort, which managed 45%.

While undoubtedly big titles, we'd be lying if we said we weren't surprised by the top three. Some other titles we thought would be huge scored lower in this survey, including Assassin's Creed 2 (32%) and The Beatles: Rock Band (30%). Clearly, the allure of wasting extra-terrestrial lifeforms is still very strong in gamers. What would Spock say?

Nielsen: Halo 3: ODST, God of War 3, Wii Sports Resort most desired games post-E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Namco Museum Essentials coming to PlayStation Home in July

Japan's Namco Museum Essentials is crossing the pond to America's PlayStation Network this July. The downloadable app will serve as a hub for various Namco arcade games, such as Pac-man, Galaga, Dig Dug, Dragon Spirit, Xevious, and a new 1080p "re-envisioned" Xevious: Resurrection. In addition to the standard gamut of features (trophies, leaderboards), players will be able to unlock PlayStation Home rewards to proudly display in their virtual apartments.

Namco Bandai will also be launching a new destination within PlayStation Home simultaneously with the release of Museum Essentials. It will serve as the hub for all of Namco Bandai's upcoming downloadable games and will include a virtual arcade featuring a trial version of Museum Essentials. In addition to the free demo, PlayStation Home items can be unlocked for those who visit the space. All in all, it looks as though Home fans (casual and hardcore) will have a lot to look forward to.

Namco Museum Essentials coming to PlayStation Home in July originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Modern Warfare 2 receiving collector's edition (and that's all we know!)

Headline kind of says it all. Yes, there's a Modern Warfare 2 Collector's Edition in the works. No, we haven't a clue what's in it. The retail listing on Gamestop claims the goodie box will cost $80, but that can always change.

We contacted Infinity Ward's community guy Robert Bowling (aka Fourzerotwo), who told us he's waiting to have the first physical copy of the collector's edition sent for a quality check, after which he'll make an unboxing video for the community. At that point, the company will have promotional pictures and update online retailers.

[Via Big Download]

Modern Warfare 2 receiving collector's edition (and that's all we know!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.