12/11/2009

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has broken UK sales records on its first day of general release.

The video game sold 1.23 million units, double the opening sales figures of previous record holder GTA IV, according to the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publisher's Association (ELSPA).

Michael Rawlinson, director general of the industry body, said that the figures were 'astonishing'.

He added: 'These first day sales figures are ... clear evidence that video games are now mainstream in the UK. Our form of interactive entertainment has completely come of age.'

Modern Warfare has sparked controversy over some of its scenes, which include a terrorist strike on an airport and murdering bystanders, earning it an 18-certificate.

Mr Rawlinson said that like many books and films the game was a form of entertainment 'specifically intended for an adult audience and accordingly has emotional, adult content'.

Earlier this month, Labour MP Keith Vaz raised the subject of the game in parliament amid worries that it would be available to children.