By my calculations we have 3 days until the biggest video game of all time ever, for the rest of time comes out. For those unaware that would be Modern Warfare 2. The sequel to 2007′s Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. By now you know that we live in an interesting time. If you have the ability and the technology it is currently not hard to go download for no cost to you a copy of Modern Warfare 2. A game that is due to be in your hands no sooner than 12:01am on November 10th. The piracy on this game is incredible. I don’t know too many people who actually do this, but I know 3 people who have downloaded Modern Warfare 2. Pretty crazy. However, it looks like piracy is not the only problem Modern Warfare 2 is facing. It appears that retailers across the country have decided to just start selling it as soon as they received it. This has led Activision to give the go ahead in several states to Gamestop to begin selling their copies. An interesting move, to say the least. Activision has a lot riding on November 10th. You can bet your ass on November 11th we are going to get quite the press release declaring how totally fucking awesome Activision is, and how many copies of Modern Warfare 2 they sold on day 1.
In the last few years we have seen a trend in the music industry. When a big enough album leaks, the record label gives stores the go ahead to just start selling it early. Copies are sold to the people who have been anticipating the album the most and they don’t have to worry about any more piracy. So far, it’s a win win. So why doesn’t Activision step up and just start selling Modern Warfare 2 tomorrow. It’s Sunday, ad papers are out, and Modern Warfare 2 will be all over them. A lot of people do their shopping on Sunday. Imagine Joe Consumer’s surprise when he sees the game out a few days early. You can bet your ass he’s gonna buy it. Cause when he gets home from shopping, he can chloroform the kids, and sit the wife in front of a Law and Order marathon and spend the rest of the last day of this weekend playing Modern Warfare 2. All the gamers who are so full of anticipation they are sweating Bawls wont feel the urge to download an illegal copy.
Sure Activision wont get their big launch day, but copies will be sold, piracy will lessen, and buzz among the hardcore can begin. Activision can still have their big launch party in New York but instead it could be just….a party. A party full of people celebrating Modern Warfare 2, and celebrate Activision’s ballsy decision to follow a new business model and forge a path no publisher has been willing to take at this point. As far as Infinity Ward is concerned, I’m sure they don’t mind their baby being unleashed upon the world a little early(I mean it’s already been out there). Just to be fair they can reset the online leaderboards on the 10th. The 8th and 9th can be practice. I wouldn’t mind. Not a bit. So, come on Activision, we’re waiting…..well some of us are……maybe you can help the waiters out and try something no other publisher has dared to try.