Destructoid is gaming news, community, videos, and sometimes love. Take the tour or jump in with Facebook:

 


Modern Warfare 2? BOYCOTT! photo

Hot off the heels of Left 4 Dead 2, it seems as if another boycott is looming on the horizon, and unlike the last one, this is a bit more justified. Following evil Activision's decision to raise the price of Modern Warfare 2 to £54.99 in the UK, angered British gamers are venting spleen and sharing one common sentiment -- that they will not bend over and let Bobby Kotick's gold-plated cock shaft them with the fury of a thousand Suns.

Backlash over the price hike is being felt across the Internet. Just recently, TotalGamingNetwork found that 68% of its PC using readership has decided not to support the publisher, and our very own Destructoid forums have seen their own movement against Modern Warfare 2. Talk from online British gamers is bitter wherever you look, and it's hardly surprising.

However, in a manner similar to the L4D2 controversy, it's highly doubtful that any official boycott will make a significant impact on MW2's sales. One would assume that Activision has anticipated resentment from fans, and yet believes that the price hike will recoup any potential lost sales, meaning that no harm will be felt. 

Frankly, what Activision is doing is disgusting, and I really hope that MW2 meets with as little success as possible in the United Kingdom. However, no boycott will ever decide the game's fate. It's in the hands of the mainstream gaming audience, and I really do have little faith in those guys.


Continue: More United Kingdom stories





prev
next 50 comments

73 comments | showing # 1 to 50

Steel Brotha's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 09:05
Steel Brotha
so lemme get this straight. they bitch about the PS3's price and then jack the price of a game in a certain area to about $100 US? way to be jackasses Activision
Pencoin's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 09:11
Pencoin
I live in the UK, but I can't say I was intrested in this game. All I hear from people I know are whining about this. I agree though, its foul play with the customer. They already tricked everyone into thinking it had 'proper' night vision goggles. Now they need to raise the price for the people who aren't so gullible?

As always the British public will fail again.
Justice's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 09:17
Justice
Huzzah for those of us that preordered it at Argos and used the promo code to end up getting it for £35 with free delivery.
ArcticFox's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 09:23
ArcticFox
I really dont like Activision, their business practices seem to be really anti consumer. At the same time, they produce a number of popular series. As someone who lives in America, this worries me as it seems like a pretty awful forshadowing. However, it also reaffirms that Call of Duty will continue to be the only Activision series that I will buy new. I love the CoD series, to the point where I am most likely going to get the premium edition, so this price wouldn't really affect me, unless they jack that up to $200.

It's a pretty despicable experiment for them, and I hope the negative reception is enough to persuade them to back off. However as I dont see this really hurting the sales, I'm not so sure they will. I feel bad for Infinity Ward here though. They make great products which are then spoiled by the greed of their publisher.
covah's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 09:24
covah
Activision are being fucking cocks lately. I guarantee you this is them trying to see what they can get away with next generation by seeing what people will spend for a normal game.

This, along with their Brutal Legend dickery gives me more reason to get Modern Warfare 2 from a second hand dealer rather than give them any profit.
John Johnson's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 09:28
John Johnson
Hey can someone tell me, how much is a regular game across the pond? Baseline price in the US is 60 USD, for a regular edition new release. Is it similar over there in that regular edition new releases are usually one uniform price? What is that price, what percentage hike in prices are we talking?
TewDee's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 09:29
TewDee
I can say with confidence that this will amount to jack all.
Ali D's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 09:30
Ali D
The problem with Activision is that even though their business practices suck, they're still the ones releasing the good games. I would think in this economic climate, a publisher would look to make their games cheaper. I wonder if the postponement of a lot of game from the Christmas schedule have made Activions think that they can simply do what they want, as it seems even other publishers are scared of the power they seem to have over consumers.

I'm worried that a price hike for Modern Warfare 2, followed by big sales will then set a standard of expensive games. I suppose we'll see when Diablo 3 and Star Craft 2 come out.
Infinite Combo's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 09:30
Infinite Combo
Activision knows that Modern Warfare 2 is like crack to the gaming community, but I feel it may backlash as more people may feel justified in pirating the game.
ChainThrow's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 09:35
ChainThrow
I would really like to see this game fail over this, but it probably won't. Realistically, no retailer other than maybe HMV will have it at full RRP - it's just not done. You hardly ever see games go for the £50 they're supposed to be at, even on day 1. Amazon consistently cuts it to £40 or less, most High Street stores won't get above £45. Don't see why they'd change their practises now, especially during the winter release window and especially when every other game would be going for much lower than £55.

Not that this excuses Kotick at all. Activision is not only filling the void left by the departure of the old EA, but they're actively trying to top EA's bad practises as well.
TheToiletDuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 09:46
TheToiletDuck
Haha yeah whatever. The people that care the most about this game are exactly the sort that can't stop themselves from purchasing it.
CRAZYAPE69's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 09:47
CRAZYAPE69
I am on their side, not enough to join their cause, but enough to be angered by it. After this eventualy happens (which i have no doubt it will) then other developers will hike up the price just on the notion that 'activision did it, why cant we?' 55 quid is what i would pay for a peripheral, and a good one at that, not a bloody game.
Scroll's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 09:59
Scroll
How ever much I'd like to boycott it, I can't.

I still play MW1 online fairly often, and I expect MW2 to be even better online, DAMN YOU ACTIVISION!
EternalDeathSlayer's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 09:59
EternalDeathSlayer
I'm sure they'll sell a few thousand less than they would normally, but that means nothing to them. They'll still make more money.
Jesus H Christ's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 10:01
Jesus H Christ
I'll buy it used.
GameraTheGreat's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 10:02
GameraTheGreat
Nice illustration (John Byrne classic – even blown up severely, I still recognize his handywork) of Dr Doom…..that is my only investment in this write up. Nice choice Jim...
Dastardly007's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 10:04
Dastardly007
Most gamers are morons and have brought this upon themselves. If you regularly buy DLC that has obviously been held back then you're probably the sort of tit that will buy this.

ITS YOUR FAULT!
Nevi's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 10:11
Nevi
Yeah, currently online retailers are selling preorders for £44.99 "saving of £10 on rrp". It SHOULD be £34.99-£39.99 with an RRP of £44.99-£49.99 though, like normal games. The Call of Duty franchise in general seems to be subject to strange pricing though. Activision have kept the GotY console edition of MW1 at £49.99 new since it came out, and it retails at £39.99. You are lucky if you can find it preowned for less than £27. At this point in the title's life cycle, you would expect it to be £20-25 new, £10-15 preowned. I think activision are trying to cash in on the online play word-of-mouth that CoD gets, this keeps sales going for longer than flash-in-the-pan strong week 1 sales type games.
pascuz46's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 10:12
pascuz46
Your right, it is a shame. Its a shame that Activsion feels that they can do this and its a shame that any sort of boycott attempt will be useless. I am really not liking Activision right now but I want MW2. So I am in a bit of a pickel here. The good thing is that with the exception of COD4 I have no Activision published games in my current gen video game collection. So obviously that all I need from them is the one game. The rest of there shit they put out can fuck right off.
DaedHead8's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 10:14
DaedHead8
Ali D just made me realize that Diablo III will be published by Activision. That blows my mind.
Kuwanjahbee's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 10:22
Kuwanjahbee
so this is a uk only price hike? sorry for them :/.
Los255's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 10:46
Los255
So why exactly did they raise the price?
Kif 's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 10:51
Kif
I'll likely buy mine pre-owned because of this bs. The only thing I feel I'll miss out on is the COD code, but even then it's pot luck if the code will still be unused.
Cahuatijo's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 11:00
Cahuatijo
This game will sell like hotcakes regardless of the price, even if it goes up to a cool 60. This is one of those instances where the publisher can alienate every single consumer, but because their product is so badass, they will still make inordinate quantities of loot. Kind of like italian luxury car manufacturers, a huge group of intelligent douchebags makes a beautiful product that is so overpriced and yet just within reach of the fucking rich sods who buy it, except here they make such a great product just within our broke-ass reach and we will buy the shit out of it.
pascuz46's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 11:01
pascuz46
@ DeadHead

I dont think Activision has all that much say in to what Blizzard does. It was a merge, Activison didn't buy out Blizzard. So in an indirect way, yes you are in some ways giving money to Activision however in a direct way the game is published by Blizzard only and Blizzard most likely calls the shots and gets the majority of your money in the end.
Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 11:03
Chronic Logic
Import from France, torrent english version.
mgmgarcia01's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 11:07
mgmgarcia01
Boycott will do nothing. Confirmed!
Redeye's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 11:14
Redeye
Fuck Kotick and his band of money-mongering bastards. Preferably with an elephant.

I'll spend my cash on beer instead, thanks-ever-so-fucking-much.
Redeye's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 11:14
Redeye
Fuck Kotick and his band of money-mongering bastards. Preferably with an elephant.

I'll spend my cash on beer instead, thanks-ever-so-fucking-much.
CloneTrooper's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 11:17
CloneTrooper
I'd feel sorry for them...

But I've been paying $100 for games for as long as I can remember.

Cartridge Games, PC Games, Current Gen Console Games.
But Im just used to it now...though you can pick em up cheap at certain places down here, but only if you're lucky enough to have one of the stores near you. Otherwise you're forced to EB or Kmart/Target/Myer etc...and they all charge Full RRP. Which can be anywhere from 99 to 120 for normal games..

Special Editions are another matter entirely....I paid 130 for Fallout 3 SE, 150 for Saints Row 2 SE, 140 for Far Cry 2 SE, 130 for Gears 2 SE.

Dont ever come to Australia. Ever.
Redeye's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 11:18
Redeye
And big hairy donkey bollocks to double-posts, too. Gah.
AfroWalrus's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 11:19
AfroWalrus
They release a good game and think that they can charge whatever they want. Unfortunately, they're probably right.
What does that say about us?
TheNomadicTroll's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 11:22
TheNomadicTroll
I still like how they jacked up the price for pc "regular" version up to $60.
wanderingpixel's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 11:35
wanderingpixel
I'm just going to gamefly it. The only thing I play is single player.
Nogarda's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 11:37
Nogarda
I never get past prestige level 1 for CoD multiplayer. I only ever played it because they always had a deep story that was enjoyable. Activision will soon be either wearing a purple fuzzy fedora or some tacky gold necklaces and a 9 tucked in the back of its pants. because its either going to be pimping out all the hoes its gathered or ramping up the price of its digital crack.

S@#£ even I can smell some sort of 'Modern World Call of Dutycraft' in the works. probably start of with a t-shirt and jeans and a water pistol and work your way up 90 levels til zenimax is bought by activision and you get a mini nukecannon called the Fatlady. and more perks than you could shake a stick at. Squad raids on Supposed Al-queda caves etc etc.
killboy's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 11:41
killboy
it's their game, they made it and they can charge whatever the hell they want for it. if you don't want to pay an extra £5 (which is is btw, not the £15 everybody is saying) then you don't get to play it. simple.

since when did the customer have the right to set prices?
akumaserge's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 12:03
akumaserge
@Clone trooper

GTFO of Australia now. Also, why would you spend 120 on the saint rows 2 SE?
Timmeh's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 12:14
Timmeh
Problem is that 90% of the people who buy games don't care. Boycotting is all well and good, but most of the sales come from casual buyers who will only pick up a few titles a year, not those of us that view gaming as a hobby and follow it on the internet.
GoldenGamerXero's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 12:16
GoldenGamerXero
I think we have to remember that in most households not everyone has £55 pounds to spend on a single video game with no added extras.

@Killboy

Since the customer started having the right to chose whether or not to buy the product. A product is only worth as much as for much we think it is especially in the case of software. If lots of people brought spoons for £4000 we would all see them at that price. If they jack up the price to that much that we start giving a shit they can go fuck themselves.
Cowboy TTop's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 12:23
Cowboy TTop
As a U.K gamer, I'll buy it cheap or preowned. £54.99-60 is taking the piss out of gamers. What do they think this is, 1990 again, when the same would be done for a SNES/MD game of the era.

If I can't find it at a more reasonable price new, I'll bail out on it for a few months, continue playing Batman and Brutal Legend, and maybe buy it in the 2010 new year or easter sales.

Activision are making me hate them, with all their recent dickery dong bs. Sure, many will buy it anyway, but I'm going to stand up and be counted. Like we don't get fleeced on everything we buy in the U.K, enough already.

WTF, Activision? There is a recession on, you know.
Soulwax's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 12:24
Soulwax
Has the price been put up in other European countries? If it's not then has anyone from Activision said why it's just the UK?
Spectreman's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 12:37
Spectreman
* Welcome to third world, UK.
ViewFinder's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 12:44
ViewFinder
@Soulwax:
I'm not sure the price probably hasn't been jacked up anywhere else(expect in Finland, but nobody cares about that) in Germany price seems to be around 60-65 euros so I'm suspecting it'll be around those numbers around europe.
Only reason I can think of why the price is put up in UK is to stop people from other countries from importing the game and getting it cheaper.

I know they're hypocrites, and I for one stopped caring about them and their products when they emerged with Blizzard.
CelicaCrazed's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 12:53
CelicaCrazed
Well I'm holding off for MAG anyways. I really feel bad for Infinity Ward with all the bullshit Activision puts them through though.
Cadtalfryn's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 13:12
Cadtalfryn
It takes one person at and a time and I sure as hell won't be buying it. Screw you, Activision.
killboy's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 13:12
killboy
@ GoldenGamerXero

that's a fair point but just because a person doesn't want to pay a price for something doesn't mean they can demand it cheaper.
brainderailment's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 13:25
brainderailment
I will be participating in this boycott. There's no way I'm buying MW2 in the UK.

All jokes aside, I wonder how much it would cost to import it from the US. Even if it's not that much cheaper if at all. It will still reflect lower sales in the UK.
Blackhat's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 13:31
Blackhat
While I thought the Left4dead boycott was... well, stupid, this one I understand. Fifty-four POUNDS for a game? Come on. Isn't that almost 100 dollars (American)?
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 13:34
Monodi
So they are pretty much doing the boycott for the Brutal Legend thingy along this. I feel karma is finally paying.
coffeesash's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2009 14:08
coffeesash
@Justice Other games are £27 to £30 new, so you're still paying the £5 more.
I would only have played the single player then get hopelessly beaten online by people that have been playing for years and then sell it again anyway.
prev next 50 comments

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 

   Got news?   tips@destructoid.com   |   Dtoid Twitter

New Videos

more videos


Reviews & Previews
BioShock 2 review
Dante's Inferno review
Chime review
Hustle Kings review
iPhone Review Round-up: January review
more reviews
Dawn of War II Chaos Rising
Metro 2033
A trip to the racetracks Days of Thunder Arcade
Double the pleasure, double the fun with Darwinia+
Wizarding world in plastic Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4
more previews


- The Dtoid Army is 56754 strong -

Showing Cblogs with 3+ faps   show all

Call for entries: the Areas of my Expertise

New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide


 Originals
Jim Sterling: How Aliens are blatantly better than Predators





















More Destructoid Originals




We are Destructoid   tips@destructoid.com
Nick Chester
Editor-in-Chief
Niero
Founder, Big Boss
Jim Sterling
Reviews Editor
Hamza Aziz
Community Manager
Dale North
News Editor
Rey Gutierrez
Destructoid Video EIC
Anthony Burch
Features Editor
Brad Nicholson
Managing Editor
Tom Fronczak Colette Bennett
Ashley Davis Ben Perlee
Conrad
Zimmerman
Chad Concelmo
Jonathan Holmes Jonathan Ross
Brad Rice Jordan Devore
Will Maddock Matthew Razak
Josh Tolentino
Joseph Leray
Topher Cantler Samit Sarkar
     
  Adam Dork
Daniel Lingen
Hollie Bennett
Joe Burling
Mikey Turvey






 
 
  get involved

register or login
post a blog
post a forum
enter a contest
contribute a news tip
suggest a feature
be a guest editor
support

new member's guide
login assistance
tech support
report abuse
email our editors
read our dev blog
nuclear crisis?
keep in touch

RSS feed
Twitter
Facebook
Myspace
Flickr
Game nights
Meetup+play online
seriously

about Destructoid
advertising
terms of use
privacy policy
jobs at MM
buy our crap
our network

Tomopop
Japanator
Despingation?




Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
living the dream since March 16, 2006