Why is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 So Expensive?

The short answer is that the $70 price tag represents a new premium standard for flagship AAA game releases. Activision and Sony have led the way in bumping up prices for major franchises on new-gen consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Modern Warfare 2 marks the first test case of applying the same premium pricing to a cross-gen Call of Duty title rather than limiting it to exclusives.

As an avid gamer myself, I don‘t take price hikes lightly. $70 is a lot to ask, but for certain games that truly push boundaries and offer hundreds of hours of gameplay, I believe it can be justified. The questions we‘ll explore in this guide are whether MW2 qualifies, and which gamers will find the most value from the investment.

A Brief History of Video Game Pricing Trends

Let‘s take a quick look at how standard pricing for major video game releases has evolved in the United States over the past three decades:

Console Generation	Typical Price Point
NES/Master System Era (1980s)	$30-$60
SNES/Genesis Era (1990s)	$50-$60
PS1/N64 Era (1990s)	$40-$50
PS2/Xbox/GameCube Era (2000s)	$50
PS3/Xbox 360 Era (2000s)	$60
PS4/Xbox One Era (2010s)	$60
PS5/Xbox Series X Era (2020s)	$60-$70

Some key takeaways:

• The $50-$60 range became standard in the 90s once games shifted from cartridges to discs
• Pricing stabilized at $60 for AAA releases during the PS3/Xbox 360 era over a decade ago
• This generation, $70 has emerged as the new premium for flagship next-gen exclusives

The jump to $70 represents over a 16% increase, far outpacing inflation during the past 10-15 years. With development budgets ballooning, publishers feel justified in increasing prices. But does that make it right for us as gamers?

Why Modern Warfare 2 Costs $70

While fans anxiously awaited details on Modern Warfare 2 leading up to its October 28 launch, one bit of news left many feeling stunned – the Standard Edition would cost $70, $10 more than typical Call of Duty releases.

As one of the most popular franchises that dominates sales year after year, Call of Duty has a large enough fanbase willing to pay a premium. But what exactly makes Activision feel justified in charging $70 for MW2?

New IW 9.0 Game Engine – Powering impressive visuals and seamless cross-platform play

One of MW2‘s biggest upgrades is the new IW 9.0 engine. It allows for photorealistic graphics on capable platforms like PS5 and Xbox Series X while maintaining smooth gameplay across different hardware. Developers spent years updating the technology to enable a true next-gen experience. These major technical investments don‘t come cheap.

Estimated 50-100 Hours of Gameplay – Robust content across modes

Based on completion times analyzed by HowLongtoBeat, MW2 offers a hefty amount of content:

• ~8 Hours for single player campaign
• ~16 Hours for completist single player
• ~25 Hours for multiplayer
• Additional hours for Spec Ops missions & Warzone 2.0

Many fans will easily sink over 50 hours into multiplayer alone. That‘s a ton of entertainment for your money.

New Innovations Across Multiplayer – Classic fast-paced action with new twists

MW2 isn‘t just a graphics update – it also introduces meaningful evolutions to competitive multiplayer:

• Overhauled Gunsmith system for deeper weapon progression
• New perk packages to customize playstyles
• Fresh maps and modes like Knock Out and Prisoner Rescue
• Underwater combat (!)
• Shared progression with Warzone 2.0

These innovations provide the justification and value that fans desire from a new premium Call of Duty release. It goes beyond a typical "annual update."

Warzone 2.0 Integration – All-new massive Battle Royale mode

One aspect not available at launch but coming in November is the free-to-play Warzone 2.0. This new iteration will feature a brand new map, new Gulag, and gameplay improvements. Modern Warfare II owners gain the advantage of weapon/inventory progression carrying over.

Live Service Model – Continuous updates and seasons

MW2 bucks the trend of shooter sequels that quickly lose relevance. The "games as a service" model provides ongoing content updates, Limited Time events, balance tweaks, in-game purchases, and Battle Passes – all keeping players engaged potentially for years to come.

Examining MW2‘s Different Editions & Prices

MW2 is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in three primary editions:

Standard Edition – $70

This gets you the full game for one platform, whether PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X|S, or PC. You miss out on cross-gen flexibility and bundled extras. But it‘s the most affordable way to get your hands on MW2 for one device.

Cross-Gen Bundle – $80

Want to own MW2 across generations or console families? This edition covers both PS5 & PS4, or Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. It grants flexibility in where you play while only having to buy one copy.

Vault Edition – $100

The premium Vault Edition is all about the bonus rewards bundled in:

• Red Team Operator Pack – Includes ghost-like skin
• FJX Cinder Weapon Vault – Multiple unique weapon blueprints
• Battle Pass (1 Season) + 50 Tier Skips – Unlock gear faster
• 10 hours 2XP – Rank up quicker
• 10 hours 2WXP – Level weapons faster
• Ghost Legacy Pack – More ghost-y operator skins

These items offer cosmetic flair and accelerated progression. But they provide no gameplay advantages, only bragging rights and a head start on unlocking gear.

How MW2‘s Pricing Compares to Past Call of Duty Games

Looking at recent premium Call of Duty releases, MW2‘s pricing stands out:

Game	Release	Standard Edition
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4	2018	$60
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019	2019	$60
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War	2020	$60
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II	2022	$70

Some key observations:

• MW2 is the first core COD release at $70, $10 above the typical $60 price point
• Even special editions rarely exceeded $100 in the past
• MW2‘s minimum buy-in is $70, but committed players are pushed toward pricier editions

After years of holding the line at $60, Activision chose MW2 to test the limits of Call of Duty pricing. Let‘s see how fans react.

The Gaming Community Reacts to MW2‘s High Price

Given Call of Duty‘s popularity as an annual gaming staple, MW2‘s $70 price tag immediately became a hot topic of debate and controversy online. Here‘s a sample of reactions:

"With how much content is in MWII, I think the $70 pricing is justified." – @SteveGamer543 (via Twitter)

"Hard pass for me. I‘ll grab it when it‘s on sale in a few months." – @DealsGuru (via Twitter)

"Big yikes @Activision, with all the scandals around you guys, you decide now is the time for a price hike?" – @Sarah_1986 (via Twitter)

"MW2 sales will still set records because people blindly buy it every year." – @JakeJohnson (via Reddit)

"I don‘t mind paying more for certain games, but CoD annually pushing it is insulting." – @JamesGee (via Reddit)

Based on these early reactions, the community seems split. Some find value in the amount of content and new features. But many express distrust in Activision‘s motives and the idea of an annualized series raising prices.

My Take – When Does a $70 Price Point Feel Justified?

As someone who takes the consumer perspective to heart, I always feel torn when companies raise prices. My wallet suffers too! However, I also understand soaring development costs for the most visually impressive and refined games today.

In my opinion, $70 starts to feel warranted for games that:

• Offer at least 40-50 hours of unique gameplay content
• Feature significant technical and/or visual innovations
• Introduce compelling changes that evolve a franchise

Essentially, I‘m looking for strong value in terms of both quality and quantity. While no means perfect, I believe MW2 checks several of those boxes. Between an action-packed campaign, addictive multiplayer suite, Spec Ops co-op, and Warzone 2.0 integration, players can sink endless hours across some highly polished modes.

However, I respect that this remains a very personal decision based on individual financial situations and gaming preferences. Plenty of fair counterpoints exist too.

The Bottom Line – Who Should Buy MW2?

Given the analysis above weighing both sides, here is my verdict on the types of gamers that can feel comfortable buying MW2 at $70:

• Call of Duty Devotees – These players know they‘ll log hundreds of online multiplayer hours. That makes MW2 easy to justify, especially given innovations like the new Gunsmith.

• Premium Experience Seekers – Gamers with cutting edge tech like PS5/Xbox Series X will appreciate MW2‘s visual showcase and enhanced immersion.

• Campaign Fans – The 8-10 hour story experience stands on its own for those less interested in competitive MP.

• Warzone 2.0 Hype – Those looking forward to the free sequel can enjoy head start perks by owning MW2 now.

However, I believe it‘s tougher to recommend for:

• Multiplayer Dabblers – Playing just casually may not provide enough hours to warrant the price.

• Yearly Release Skeptics – Some object to the premium cost on principle for an annualized series.

• Budget Gamers – Those who wait for discounts can grab it cheaper in coming months.

No definitive right or wrong answer exists here – just guidance to help each gamer decide if MW2 aligns with their interests and budget. Share your thoughts in the comments! I‘m happy to keep the discussion going.