We’ve got fresh stats rolling in about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 sales — they’re pretty astonishing. Mat Piscatella dropped these numbers on X (Once known as Twitter). It turns out Modern Warfare 3 topped the charts as the best-selling game in the U.S. for November 2023. Not only that, it’s already the second top-seller for the whole year of 2023.
Here’s a twist, though: MW3 was initially planned as just extra downloadable content (DLC). But it morphed into a full game. And it faced a lot of hate during its launch. Take a look at Metacritic, and you’ll see it’s got a 56 out of 100 in reviews. Players are even harsher critics, giving it a lowly 1.9 score. So, this begs the question: With reviews like these, how come Modern Warfare 3 sales are through the roof?
Modern Warfare 3 Sales Are Going Great
Before diving into why Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 sales are smashing records, let’s look at the stats. Mat Piscatella tells us that MW3 is the top dog for game sales in the U.S. as of November 2023. It’s been so popular that it’s already the second highest-selling game of the year. Is the only game outpacing it? Hogwarts Legacy.
But it’s not just about sales. When it comes to how many people are actually playing, MW3 is also making waves. In the U.S., it has the sixth-highest number of active players on Steam. Only Counter-Strike 2, Lethal Company, Baldur’s Gate 3, The Finals, and Rocket League are ahead.
However, if you really want to understand MW3’s success, you’ve got to look at console players. On PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, Call of Duty is ruling the roost, second only to Fortnite in terms of active player communities.
Since the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018, Call of Duty games have consistently been November’s best-sellers each year. This not only highlights the franchise’s success but also points to its strategy of releasing new games annually.
So, we’re left wondering: With such impressive numbers, why is MW3 facing so much criticism? And why it doesn’t matter at all.
Call of Duty Has Two Different Player Audiences
Diving into Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 sales, it might seem baffling that a game facing so much criticism is selling like hotcakes. But when you peel back the layers, it’s pretty straightforward. The Call of Duty franchise has long been a tale of two-player bases.
First up, we’ve got the old-school crew. These players cut their teeth on the original Call of Duty titles and have a soft spot for the campaign mode of the first Modern Warfare. They’re all about those cinematic, story-driven experiences that the series brought to the FPS world. And understandably, they’re not too chuffed with MW3’s lacklustre and brief campaign.
Then there’s the other lot, who couldn’t care less about single-player campaigns. Their world is multiplayer. They’re the die-hards, clocking in hours daily. To them, MW3’s appeal lies in the never-ending cycle of new Battle Passes, skins, Warzone maps, and weapons. For these players, shelling out $59.99 a year is like paying a subscription for their go-to multiplayer fix.
So, is there a right or wrong in this debate? Not really. Sure, you can throw shade at Sledgehammer Games for various reasons. You might grumble about the pressure they put on their team or scoff at the idea that MW3’s campaign isn’t worth $59.99. But at the end of the day, none of this really touches the game’s core online player base.
Final Thoughts
With Microsoft now at the helm of Activision Blizzard, Call of Duty has officially become an Xbox flagship. Don’t worry, PlayStation fans — the game will still land on your consoles. However, the big decisions about what’s next for Call of Duty will now be in the hands of Xbox Game Studios. Whether that’s brilliant news is up for debate, especially considering the hurried development of Redfall by Arkane Studios.
For the time being, it’s a game of wait-and-see. Modern Warfare 3 sales are soaring. It’s on track to be the year’s second best-seller unless it manages to outdo Hogwarts Legacy for the top spot. So, all eyes are now on what the next Call of Duty will bring in the coming year.
That’s the scoop on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 sales for now. Please keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming guides on online FPSs. In the meantime, why not give The Finals a go?
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