Modern Warfare 3: Live-action trailer's budget probably could have kept a few Activision devs open

This is why Bizarre Creations can't have nice things...

Words: David Houghton on November 7, 2011

It seems that these days a giant marketing splurge is not a sign of desperation, but a badge of honour. The more money you spend on trying to sell a game, the bigger a deal your game must be in the first place, right? Of course, the logic of spending even more money than usual on a huge game that will sell in vast numbers regardless may seem a bit like Satan installing an expensive central heating system to you or I, but who are we to question the logic of big budget corporate accounting and marketing men? They're put in charge of this stuff for a reason, naturally.

Anyway, here's a new, Sam Worthington and Jonah Hill starring, really expensive looking live-action trailer for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. It's actually very impressive, and more than a bit fun. Though it does appear to smear a moderate indie movie budget over a 90 second joke about noobs, for a game that will sell billions of copies tomorrow anyway. Activision barely gave Raven's excellent Singularity a press release last year, you know. Just sayin'...

Platforms:

Xbox 360, Wii, PC, PS3

Topics:

modern warfare 3

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THEBIGJ3 - November 8, 2011 3:10 a.m.

Havent seen the Ad yet as it won't load at work (lame). But I will say that they must recoup some of the cash spent on these ads by charging rediculous prices for the games. I have all of the Call Of Dutys on 360 and in my opinion they are all excellent, but, (like Black Ops before it), I think I'll pick this one up second-hand for half the price. I'm torn between wanting to rant about how a company can dare charge such extortionate prices for games, and just keeping quiet, because at least they are pretty good!
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Inthedistrict - November 8, 2011 7:51 a.m.

I agree with you that the prices are a bit steep, but it's nothing new. They were charging $50 for video games since N64 and before it, to the best of my memory. The commercials are a bit out of control and really seem to sucker the people who don't pick up games (or 1st person shooters in particular) very often. Regardless of the commercial, I'll be getting the game, but I know a gimmick marketing campaign when I see one.
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THEBIGJ3 - November 11, 2011 3:42 a.m.

You're right it certainly isn't new, I remember the days of Goldeneye on the N64 and it being COMPLETELY out of my 14 year-old price range, What I meant more (and should have been more clear about) is just how long these games stay at such high prices, most games seem to drop a few months after release, But COD seems to stay at it's release price until the next one comes out I'll still be buying COD3 though, it looks fantastic.
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GhostbustTyler - November 7, 2011 8:57 p.m.

Wow, it's pretty much the exact same commercial they had for Black Ops...
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gondarpwns - November 7, 2011 5:41 p.m.

I have to admit i thoguht this was pretty good game will be better thou
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danger.to.others - November 7, 2011 1:08 p.m.

You know, all those developers Activision shut down were people only capable of making average games at best. I'd rather see this ad than a Singularity 2.
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talleyXIV - November 7, 2011 12:46 p.m.

This made me want to buy it less, but you know I already got it pre-ordered..
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gamingfreak - November 7, 2011 12:19 p.m.

The trailer was awesome but I'm still not going to buy MW3.
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VigotheCarpathian - November 7, 2011 11:39 a.m.

Will I buy this game? I don't know, I just don't know.
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TheZigMan - November 7, 2011 9:31 a.m.

Pretty dope trailer...not gonna lie. Still not gonna buy the game tho...sorry Activision!
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ObliqueZombie - November 7, 2011 8:17 a.m.

Still not convinced to buy this, but it was interesting nonetheless. I'll just have to wait for the reviews to see if I can squeeze it into my SWTOR and Skyrim gameplay, as well as my college schedule. Odds aren't looking good for Modern Warfare 2--err, 4, err... F*ck it, just Modern Warfare. And nice nod to Singularity, Mr. Houghton. That game was a brilliant and amazing piece of video game splendor. It's a shame no one bought it, and we'll never see another one--either another Singularity or surprise gem from Raven. If there was ever a game I enjoyed the hell out of two summers ago, it was that one.
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CitizenWolfie - November 7, 2011 6:53 a.m.

I'm very much Jonah Hill in that situation. Especially running into a mine within moments of "spawning". I was half expecting him to be spamming the 'tube every two seconds as well. I was already excited for MW3 but now even more so.
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Turboash - November 7, 2011 6:44 a.m.

I enjoyed the commercial... but Dwight Howard at the end spoiled it because he is a no talent chump.
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ThatGuyFromTV - November 7, 2011 7:41 a.m.

...shouldn't you be happy then, considering he's being shown in the vid as a no talent chump?
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The_Ultimatum - November 7, 2011 5:39 a.m.

Everyone will jump to rubbish COD and i'd agree, they are very commercially minded however honestly, I would do the same if I had an IP like that. There is one point though - not so long ago, before CODMW, FIFA vs Pro Evo was the franchise battle everyone weighed in on and it was FIFA that was lambasted for being too commercial. That commercial mindset has produced one of the best franchises ever and look at Pro Evo now... All I am saying is that COD is (when it is working and people are playing fair) a very enjoyable game with some pretty decent competition, as a "pick up and play" its hard to beat.
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ultimatepunchrod - November 7, 2011 5:35 a.m.

The commercial wasn't terrible, but I will never NEVER understand live action trailers for a video game. You have more realistic representations of what the game will be and you don't have to pay a bunch of money to produce that. You just have to get gameplay and/or cinematic videos from the game and put them up. Anyway, I completely agree that some of the money they used on this could have been spent to represent games that weren't a sure thing.
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inkyspot - November 7, 2011 5:01 a.m.

I suppose I am the Noob guy at the end.
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taokaka - November 7, 2011 4:47 a.m.

This ad made me cringe so much. I could rant so much about this ad but I won't because we're all thinking the same thing.
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SuperToad222 - November 7, 2011 8:12 a.m.

I doubt it. What, pray tell, are 'we all thinking'?
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taokaka - November 7, 2011 3:12 p.m.

We're all thinking By gosh, Jonah Hill is the funniest man alive and Sam Worthington looks drop dead gorgeous and absolutely nothing bad at all. Well I lied I thought it was kind of cheesy and not particularly funny. But based off of the comments it looks like a 50/50 split between those that liked the ad and those that didn't so I will rephrase my statement, I could rant so much about this ad but I won't because approximately 50% of us are thinking the same thing and the other 50% are fire-breathing unicorns with golden wings that are totally rad. Are you happy now supertoad?
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