San Francisco - AFP
\"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3\" raked in $775 million worldwide in its first five days, blowing away the record set by last year\'s release, publisher Activision said Thursday. \"Life-to-date retail sales for the Call of Duty franchise have exceeded $6 billion worldwide, which makes Call of Duty one of the most valuable entertainment properties in the world,\" Robert Kotick, chief executive of Activision owner Activision Blizzard, said in a statement. \"Call of Duty: Black Ops\" pulled in $650 million last year over its first five days while the previous year\'s release, \"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,\" reaped $550 million over the same period, according to Activision. \"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3\" earned more than $400 million in Britain and the United States in the first 24 hours after its release, making it the highest-grossing entertainment launch ever. That eclipsed Hollywood\'s biggest blockbusters and \"Call of Duty: Black Ops,\" which reaped $360 million on its first day. \"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3\" was released on November 8 and fans lined up at stores around the world to purchase the military first-person shooter game, the eighth title in the \"Call of Duty\" franchise. \"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3,\" which was developed by Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games, picks up the storyline from \"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2\" and segues into World War 3.