Guinness - Modern Warfare 2 "all-time most successful entertainment launch"

Despite internal turmoil, evidenced by the firing/quitting of many Infinity Ward (developer of "COD4" and "Modern Warfare 2" employees, horribly ill-conceived ad campaigns (most gamers will still remember IW's "F.A.G.S.," or Friends Against Grenade Spam, an ad [that I've only ever seen on YouTube] that starred Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels pitching Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in the form of a P.S.A.), or just the generally immature, homophobic flamebaiters that troll Modern Warfare 2 on a daily basis, there is actually some good news today for Infinity Ward.

The Guinness Book of World Records confirmed Wednesday that "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" earned the title of Most Successfull All-Time Entertainment launch, beating out such worthy contenders as "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows" book sales and ticket sales of "The Dark Knight." According to the record keeping organization, "COD:MW2" totalled more than $401 million in first-day sales, surpassing "Grand Theft Auto IV" ($310 million) and "Halo 3" ($170 million).

"Video game releases such as the Call of Duty series have outperformed the launches of major
Hollywood blockbusters for several years and the day-one sales for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 proved once again that video games have become cultural events in their own right,” said Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition Editor, Gaz Deaves."

Source - http://tinyurl.com/2c7rxwg