Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Launch Guide Portal

many put it back down in favor of the last game from Infinity Ward to help prepare for the launch that is less than four days away.  Here at PWN or DIE we want to help get you ready for the launch by making sure that you know where the best deals are and everything Call of Duty that happens on November 10, 2009.

To be honest, none of our previous launch guide games like Gears of War 2 or Halo 3: ODST had nearly as much hype surrounding them.  After all, this is already the most pre-ordered game in GameStop history and looks to be the biggest entertainment release of all time (predicted to sell 11 million copies in first two months).  Spike, FX, and Comedy Central have been jamming it down our throats with commercials.  Then again so has the NBA and NFL.  We have been tracking this game even before Robert Bowling and Infinity Ward publicly acknowledged it and eventually announced the release date at GDC 09 – even when it wasn’t going to be part of the Call of Duty franchise.  Finally now it is almost time to drop an airstrike on some noobs!

So without further ado, here is all the intel you need to know before you hop in line on Monday night.  If you have anything to add or know of any specials we don’t know about, please leave them in the comments or send them to as on Twitter @PWN_or_DIE.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Editions

Which version should I buy?

First of all, you likely know by now that Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 comes in three editions – Standard, Hardened, and most famously, Prestige. It will be made available for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on November 10, 2009.  The PC version follows on the 12th.  Here we will outline what each of the console versions offer.

Standard Game: The no-frills, normal copy of the game. No extra goodies, just the manual and a copy of the game to play. Will run you $59.99.

Hardened Edition: The Hardened Edition of the game comes in a steel game case, a Modern Warfare 2 art book, Call of Duty Classic (the very first Call of Duty, which was not released on consoles) on Xbox Live Arcade or Playstation Network, and a copy of the game. The Hardened Edition is priced at $79.99 USD.

Prestige Edition: The Prestige Edition comes with the all of the same gear as the Hardened Edition PLUS some awesome night vision goggles.  They actually really work too! The goggles also feature a molded plastic Soap MacTavish head to mount them when you aren’t out cosplaying Splinter Cell. Don’t think you are going to get it cheap though- the Prestige Edition costs $149.99 USD.  In fact the Prestige Edition will likely be extremely hard to find if you haven’t secured one with a pre-order.

Pre-Order Bonuses

Before you make the big purchase, know that various locations have been running their own pre-order bonuses for the game. Any vendor selling the game will want your business and are offering some pretty sweet deals for this reason. In addition, many retail locations have in-store deals if you choose to pick up the game in person.

GameStop – Pre-order customers at GameStop will receive a voucher code for the “Surprize Attack” Sweepstakes. The prizes being given away in this sweepstakes include an H2 Hummer, a Ducati Motorcycle, a snowmobile, and a ton of other Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2-branded gear. Those that reserve the game can go here and enter their code twice a day until the end of the offer (hurry, it does not last much longer). Additionally, if you reserve the game online at GameStop’s website, you will be guaranteed a $40 value in you trade it in by December 13th of this year.  Some of you may have cashed in on the replica signed poster from Infinity Ward, but that promotion is long over.

Best Buy – $10 Gift Gard In-Store Pre-order, or a price of $49.99 Online (unfortunately, this promotion has since expired)

Amazon.com – Pre-order the Standard or Hardened Edition and get a $20 game credit for a later purchase. Pre-ordering the Prestige Edition will give you a $10 game credit online. Those that belong to Amazon Prime will get the game on delivery day.

Wal-Mart.com – Buying Modern Warfare 2 at Wal-Mart’s website now will get you a $20 eGift Card to use at the site.

In-Store Deals

Wal-Mart – The first 20 customers in line at any 24-hour Wal-Mart store to pick up Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 will get an autographed copy of the game, signed by the development team.

GameStop – Any GameStop stores staying open past midnight for the game will also be holding a release party, where every gamer in the store will get a Hitman energy drink.  Also for those that subscribe to their email list, there is a coupon that offers 20% the purchase of one used game when bought with MW2.

Toys-R-US – If you belong to the Rewards R Us club, picking up Modern Warfare 2 between 10-2 on release day will net you $20 on a gift card.

Best Buy – Members of the Gamer’s Club will receive a $10 gift card along with their purchase.  Additionally some Best Buy stores will be opening at midnight to release the game, here are the locations listed in the promotion.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Gear

Even though the game is not out, plenty of other products have jumped on the Modern Warfare 2 bandwagon. If you want to express your love for the game, here is some MW2-branded gear.

Xbox 360 Modern Warfare Limited Edition Console – On the day of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2’s release, Microsoft will be selling an Xbox 360 covered in a MW2 design. It will come with all of the features of an Xbox 360 Elite, a 250 GB hard drive, two wireless controllers, and of course a copy of Modern Warfare 2.

“Assault” Monster Energy Drink – Just because Modern Warfare 2 is a game does not mean you will not see it outside of gaming. Monster Energy Drinks recently introduced a Modern Warfare 2 branded drink named “Assault” in September. To sweeten the deal, those that buy a 4-pack of the drink will have a chance to win the Hardened Edition, future map packs, premium themes for both PS3 and Xbox 360, and Monster beverages. If you snag a 6-pack of the drink (only found at Sam’s Club), you will have access to an exclusive online event this month to be held at Infinity Ward “The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Training Experience.”

Xbox Live Avatar Items – Just this weekend, Activision and Infinity Ward put a collection of Modern Warfare 2 goods on Xbox Live. Deck out your avatar ahead of the release for some of your hard earned MS Points.

Even though you have likely seen a few of the Modern Warfare 2 commercials (like the official launch trailer or the Infamy trailer), stay posted because we might soon have some you have not seen before.

More Fun with MW2
We came up with some suggestions for 5 new perks we wanted to see in Modern Warfare 2. How about comparing the sticky grenades in Halo 3 to the ones now in Modern Warfare 2? A graphical representation of the top features wanted by Juggernauts and why they use the perk with an added bonus showing their favorite things. Will girlfriends and wives pick up on quoting this COD game too? Dick Cheney thinks President Barack Obama is scared of Modern Warfare 2. Possibly Related Posts:Modern Warfare 2 Avatar Items Strike Xbox LiveCall of Duty 7 Outed by LinkedIn ProfileModern Warfare 2 Logo RevealedParty Chat not Completely Supported in Modern Warfare 2Modern Warfare 2 Launch Trailer Assaulting TV Tonight show less...