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WWW.MCVUK.COM
MCV 04/12/09 5
NEWS
Child campaign
[PRE ORDERS]
TOP 10
Live this weekend for charity initiative
SUPER STREET FIGHTER IV PS3 CAPCOM
2. FINAL FANTASY XIII
buy GAME For Good wristbands in-store at GAME. “The campaign will be unmissable in the run up to launch weekend,” added Tyler. “We really are pulling out all the stops to maximise the donation amount to War Child, help them drive awareness for their work and get people very excited once again at the prospect of MW2 doing something interesting so soon after a massive launch.
“The GAME for Good programme constitutes the largest single investment we have ever made on the Call of Duty business in the UK outside of the direct launch period,” Tyler said. “Our total investment is on a par with our launch week for MW2 and the majority of 18 to 40-year-olds who are in the UK in early December will know what GAME for Good is all about.” Activision: 020 3060 1000
Alworths plans to open 200 stores
PS3 ................................SQUARE ENIX
by Christopher Dring
360 ......................................CAPCOM
WOOLWORTHS’ FORMER development boss has told MCV he will open up to 200 Alworths stores throughout the UK – and games will be stocked in all outlets. Andy Latham – MD of the new retail chain – launched the first five Alworths stores last month. He has hired a team to handle the firm’s entertainment offer, which includes a range of DS, 360, PS3 and Wii product. “We’ve opened five stores pre-Christmas and we’re looking for a minimum of 17 more next year,” said Latham. “I believe there is an opportunity for 100 to 200 stores in market town locations. We won’t be in
city centres, as we offer convenience and variety. “Other retailers have been closing, and there has been a public clamour for people to re-invest in High Street. “The response so far has been absolutely fantastic. We are carrying some of the ranges that were missing from the High Street.” The new chain’s games range is centred on familyfriendly software for the four leading platforms, while third party accessories outfit iGlobe is supplying the retailer with peripherals. “We will stock some of those can’t resist games, but we expect our family range to be the focus – with Wii and DS at the centre of our offer.” Alworths: 01737 852 266
3. MAG: MASSIVE ACTION PS3 ..........................................SONY
4. SUPER STREET FIGHTER IV 5. MAG: MASSIVE ACTION PS3 ..........................................SONY
6. BAYONETTA 360 ..........................................SEGA
7. ZELDA: SPIRIT TRACKS DS......................................NINTENDO
8. GRAN TURISMO 5 PS3 ..........................................SONY
9. BATTLEFIELD: BAD COMPANY 2 PS3 ..............................................EA
10. FINAL FANTASY XIII 360 ................................SQUARE ENIX Week ending November 28th Source: SHOPTO.COM Turn to page 45 for more pre-order charts from leading online retailers
UK SOFTWARE SALES MONITOR Your weekly guide to the UK games software market… The weekly value of the UK software market has risen slightly as we head towards the peak Christmas trading period. Sales rose one per cent to £61.8 million, while unit sales rose eight per cent to 2,589,873. The market’s rise was once again driven by Modern Warfare 2 – despite sales of the game falling 32 per cent. Both New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Assassin’s Creed II also enjoyed another big week of sales. Weekly sales are expected to climb as we head towards Christmas, with still a couple of big name titles still set for release – including James Cameron’s Avatar from Ubisoft and Nintendo’s DS hopeful The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks.
[WEEKLY MARKET VALUE]
Total UK Software Sales Source: ELSPA/ChartTrack and Intent Media
120
Week Ending November 28th 2009
£61.8m
100 80 60 40 20
£103.1m
£61.4m
£61.8m
3,422,625 Units
2,166,981 Units
2,589,873 Units
0 Modern Warfare 2 held on to the UK No.1 slot this week
Week Ending November 14th Week Ending November 21st
Week Ending November 28th