Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Getting Two Special Editions

The most anticipated game of 2009 is getting a couple of special editions. In addition to the regular edition, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will also come packaged with Hardened and Prestige Editions. The Call of Duty series has been around since 2003. While it has always been moderately popular, it didn't become one of the most recognizable brands in gaming until the release of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare in 2007 for the PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. The fourth title brought the series away from the World War II era and into the modern setting. Furthermore, it features an incredibly deep multiplayer mode with level progression and many other addicting role-playing elements. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare ended up winning numerous Game of the Year awards in addition to becoming one of the best-selling games ever.

Even with the big success of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the next game in the series, World at War, wasn't nearly as highly anticipated as expected. This is because the original developer of the Call of Duty series, Infinity Ward, wasn't behind it. Instead, Treyarch, the developer of Call of Duty 3, was developing Call of Duty: World at War. Even with less hype, Call of Duty: World at War still managed to become one of the best-selling games of 2008.

Infinity Ward, on the other hand, is currently working on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Due to the tremendous success of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, many expect the direct sequel to be the best-selling game in 2009.

In order to take advantage of the hype surrounding the upcoming game, publisher Activision will be selling two special editions alongside the regular game. The first is the Hardened Edition. For $79.99 ($20 above the regular version), you will get an art book, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, voucher code for the first Call of Duty game and a steel casing.

The Prestige Edition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 may be the mother load of all collector editions. For $149.99 you will get all the content within the Hardened Edition plus a night vision goggle that is fully functional in addition to a plastic head stand used for displaying the goggle when not in used. Given the current economic conditions, one has to wonder if this edition will sell.

The Regular, Hardened and Prestige Editions gives the consumer plenty of options to choose from when Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 launches in November 10, 2009.