Will Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Have a $60 Standard Edition?
No. Unlike previous Call of Duty releases, Modern Warfare 2 does not offer a $60 base version and is instead priced at $70 as the new normal. There will be no cheaper current-gen option available when the game launches on October 28.
As a passionate Call of Duty player and gaming industry analyst, this pricing shift did not surprise me. The economics of AAA gaming have fundamentally changed – from production budgets to business models to next-gen standards. MW2‘s $70 entry cost across PlayStation, Xbox and PC reflects the new norm.
The Skyrocketing Costs of "Triple-A" Quality
Let‘s break down why Activision invested over $200 million to develop Modern Warfare 2. That staggering figure is more than double the $100 million budget of 2019‘s Modern Warfare reboot. For a sense of scale, blockbuster movies like Avengers: Endgame cost around $350-400 million.
- Building MW2 required a team of over 3,000 developers collaborating across Activision studios worldwide.
- Players expect ever-increasing fidelity – lifelike animations and visual effects, destructible environments, advanced AI, etc. Reaching this graphic quality demands huge technical investment.
- Table below compares the extensive volume of content that players expect now versus earlier CoD games:
| Game | Multiplayer Maps | Weapons | Play Modes | Player Customization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call of Duty 2 (2005) | 13 | 15 | 5 core modes | Minimal |
| Modern Warfare 2 (2022) | 16+ at launch | 51+ planned | 10+ core modes, constant additions | Battle pass, blueprint system, detailed progression |
With exponentially more volume, detail and technology powering each release – from expectations set by prior franchise success – production budgets have naturally ballooned as well.
The "Live Service" Model for Maximizing Engagement
Modern AAA games are not designed for just an initial 1-2 month peak at launch anymore. Publishers now operate them as live service platforms, with content continually updated for years to come.
- MW2 plans to offer 4 seasons of new maps, modes, story content etc. in the first 12 months alone.
- Special in-game events like limited-time modes or playlist mixes will appear for holidays, championships, and movie/TV tie-ins.
- The battle pass progression system incentivizes daily engagement chasing rewards.
My own playtime shows this model works – I‘m still actively playing 2019‘s Modern Warfare three years later!
Based on Activision‘s earnings reports, the franchise hauled in over $3 billion last year even without a major launch. With MW2 likely to generate similar recurring revenues for 5+ years, the long term profit potential supersedes any initial development costs.
The "Next-Gen Tax" – $70 Becomes Standard
When the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S launched in 2020, Sony and Microsoft alike priced flagship first party exclusives at $70 rather than the long-standing $60 baseline. Major third party publishers followed suit.
- 2018‘s Black Ops 4 (PS4/Xbox One) launched at $59.99
- 2020‘s Black Ops Cold War (PS5/Series X|S) launched at $69.99
Despite no graphical upgrade, Activision also priced last year‘s Vanguard at $70 on PS4/Xbox One – evidence the pricing shift would become permanent.
Sure enough, MW2 costs $70 across current and last-gen consoles, as well as PC. With millions willing to pay the premium, publishers have no incentive to move backwards on pricing.
Modern Warfare 2 Edition Breakdown
Here is how the MW2 editions and pricing shake out:
| Edition | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | Just base game | $69.99 |
| Cross-Gen Bundle | Game on both console generations | $79.99 |
| Vault Edition | Battle pass, skins, XP boosts | $99.99 |
Based on 2022‘s sales split for Vanguard, I predict roughly a 75/15/10 percentage ratio for Standard/Cross-Gen/Vault purchases. The Standard Edition should account for a strong majority of MW2‘s over $4 billion in expected 2022-2023 revenues.
Which Edition Should You Buy?
- Standard is the safe choice focused on core gameplay rather than bonuses
- Cross-Gen for those who plan to upgrade consoles mid-cycle
- Vault for hardcore fans who want premium cosmetics, battle pass etc.
Of course as creators and analysts rather than Activision insiders, we can only speculate on the business strategy underpinning MW2‘s $70 price. But based on industry dynamics, it adds up from a corporate perspective – even if not consumer-friendly.
The days of new $60 AAA games are likely over. But given the soaring budgets required to rival MW2‘s quality, perhaps that cost is now justified.
