The imminent release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has triggered a global outbreak of retail guerrilla tactics.
State-side, Kotaku are reporting that a number of GameStop stores have broke the release date selling copies over this weekend. Stores in Bowie, Md., Bowling Green, Ohio, Reading, Pa., and New York City are reported to have been involved.
Activision say they did not give permission for GameStop to sell copies of the game early though Infinity Ward’s Rob Bowling said that while stores selling early copies are in violation of the street date, customers who bought an early copy will not be punished.
GameStop have defended their actions stating that selling copies early was ‘an effort to protect their customer base.’
Following suit many online and UK retailers are breaking the release date giving eager consumers a chance to go on the hunt for stores selling copies early then gloating on forums and other social networking sites.
Charlie Brooker for instance on twitter reports ‘just bought a copy of Modern Warfare 2 from a shop with impressive disregard for official release dates’ along with many mentions of that ‘nasty level.’
As well as the early releases a number of UK stores have said they will sell copies of Modern Warfare 2 way below the RRP.
Sainburys this morning confirmed they would be selling the game for £25, a massive cut from the RRP of £55 whilst ASDA in response stated that they might be selling the game for £32 though this will not be confirmed until midnight tonight. Both retailers are, however, sticking to release dates.
Keep an eye out for our review within the next week.
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