Well, in the wake of Modern Warfare 2 boxart showing up earlier today, everyone is straight-up flipping out over the presence of the Call of Duty name on the box. But can we safely assume that this means the official game name is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2? I'm going to say "probably not." 

Infinity Ward’s  Modern Warfare 2 is the direct sequel to  Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.  We have focused our attention on  Modern Warfare in order to most effectively communicate the fact that this is the first true sequel in the  Call of Duty series.   Infinity Ward, the original creators of the  Call of Duty franchise, has said from the beginning  Modern Warfare 2 resides in the  Call of Duty universe.  This is reflected in the title’s package.

The whole "first true sequel" thing isn't new, it's the same line Activision's been giving out all along when it comes to all this name stuff. But notice that the statement refers to the game as simply "Modern Warfare 2" on multiple occasions. It doesn't seem like the company is interested in answering the "HEY SERIOUSLY WHAT IS YOUR GAME CALLED" question directly (which is roughly what we asked them), but between the boldness (theirs) of the game's title, the lack of the COD prefix, and the specific reference to it being reflected "in the title's package," it doesn't seem like the name of the game has actually changed at all.

It's not surprising that the game doesn't have as much name recognition without the Call of Duty brand on it, and it's been pretty obvious that Activision was going to have to slap the COD logo somewhere on this box if only to make the connection between casual game buyer who walks in and says "GIVE ME NEW CALL OF DUTY" and confused Wal-Mart clerk a bit easier to complete. I just figured it'd be separated from the game name a bit more, like in a "FROM THE MAKERS OF CALL OF DUTY" bubble in the upper-right or something. Maybe that'll just end up being a sticker slapped on over the plastic wrap or something...

So, in short, we're not changing the name of our game page to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Because until we hear something directly to the contrary, I'm pretty sure that nothing actually changed today.

Also, while we're on the topic, notice anything else funny about the box art? Like, notice anything missing?

If you said "oh, hey, there's no Activision logo," then you win! Kind of weird, right? Like nearly all of the company's other releases, the COD4 box showed both the Activision and the Infinity Ward logos.

Well, in the wake of Modern Warfare 2 boxart showing up earlier today, everyone is straight-up flipping out over the presence of the Call of Duty name on the box. But can we safely assume that this means the official game name is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2? I'm going to say "probably not." 

Infinity Ward’s  Modern Warfare 2 is the direct sequel to  Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.  We have focused our attention on  Modern Warfare in order to most effectively communicate the fact that this is the first true sequel in the  Call of Duty series.   Infinity Ward, the original creators of the  Call of Duty franchise, has said from the beginning  Modern Warfare 2 resides in the  Call of Duty universe.  This is reflected in the title’s package.

The whole "first true sequel" thing isn't new, it's the same line Activision's been giving out all along when it comes to all this name stuff. But notice that the statement refers to the game as simply "Modern Warfare 2" on multiple occasions. It doesn't seem like the company is interested in answering the "HEY SERIOUSLY WHAT IS YOUR GAME CALLED" question directly (which is roughly what we asked them), but between the boldness (theirs) of the game's title, the lack of the COD prefix, and the specific reference to it being reflected "in the title's package," it doesn't seem like the name of the game has actually changed at all.

It's not surprising that the game doesn't have as much name recognition without the Call of Duty brand on it, and it's been pretty obvious that Activision was going to have to slap the COD logo somewhere on this box if only to make the connection between casual game buyer who walks in and says "GIVE ME NEW CALL OF DUTY" and confused Wal-Mart clerk a bit easier to complete. I just figured it'd be separated from the game name a bit more, like in a "FROM THE MAKERS OF CALL OF DUTY" bubble in the upper-right or something. Maybe that'll just end up being a sticker slapped on over the plastic wrap or something...

So, in short, we're not changing the name of our game page to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Because until we hear something directly to the contrary, I'm pretty sure that nothing actually changed today.

Also, while we're on the topic, notice anything else funny about the box art? Like, notice anything missing?

If you said "oh, hey, there's no Activision logo," then you win! Kind of weird, right? Like nearly all of the company's other releases, the COD4 box showed both the Activision and the Infinity Ward logos.

Is this like... a slow news day or something?

It's a name on a box, folks... jeez.

I am sorry Jeff Gerstmann, but I would not say that "everyone is straight-up flipping out over the presence of the Call of Duty name on the box." That uh, that seems a bit of an exaggeration to say, sir.

you live up to your name delta 

I like no activision on the logo, of course they might still be working the whole art thing out, didn't see a ESRB bost either.
They should label it correctly I suppose.  Just call it Modern Warfare 2, then on the box, it would say a Call of Duty experience, kinda like Tim Schaefer's box.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Video Game Edition

It's probably just something Bowling threw together quickly and only added the IW logo on the final box art. That probably why there's no ESRB/PEGI logo on there or because this games out in late november and it's the middle of goddamn july.

Maybe the Activion logo is beneath his Thumb... i know i would put it there :P

" Maybe the Activion logo is beneath his Thumb... i know i would put it there :P "

Activision and the ESRB rating isn't on the box yet. So by the time that happens "Call of Duty" could very well be removed.

I'm thinking that's not really the final box-art, there's no ESRB on it either. The image is probably going to stay the same, but I would assume the ESRB and Activision want to be on the cover.

IW says to Activision "let us take your logo off and you can put COD on"

Make up your mind!

Doesn`t have tha "M-Rated" sticker also... So WHAT!?. I know news is slow, but jeez ! Are you trying to create beef here Jeff?!

Personally, I say really confuse the hell out of gamers.  Call it Call of Modern Duty At War Warfare 6: Men Without Hats.

The back is one big Activision logo

Eh that box arts not doing much for me.
A bit dull dont you think?

" @Aeon said:

" Maybe the Activion logo is beneath his Thumb... i know i would put it there :P "

That's it. This whole thing is just a riff off of an old Flintstones episode! Remember, the one where Barney and Fred go fishing and Fred catches a prehistoric whale or something? But when Barney goes to take the photo, his thumb covers up the whale? That's probably what this is! Oh Infinity Ward, you true connisseurs of classic animation! "

"Modern Warfare 2 - A Call of Duty Game" is what they should call it, because it would be a spectacularly lame name, and it kinda fits with the whole naming fiasco that has surrounded it.

Everybody who cares, raise your hand...

*looks around*

I like what MattyFTM says, "Modern Warfare 2 - A Call of Duty Game." Also there is no ESRB M rating on the game. So I doubt this is the final cover version. Plus the whole thing looks sketchy. Looks a little fake to me, even with the thumb reflection on it. Like they doctored up a couple of boxes with their artwork. Meh.

I also noticed the lack of helicopters. I bet Ryan is pleased, being anti-helicopters and all.

ALSO, these are 100% not the final covers. There's no region or ESRB rating on the box. EVERY Xbox360 game must have at least the region clearly stated on the box (PAL or NTSC). So there's still a chance that the Activision logo will be added later and the COD logo removed (unlikely).

Called it... again.

'Call of Duty' is now a brand name only.  Everything after that from now on is the actual title of the game.

It's 100% gonan say call of duty on the box when this ships 100% this is a fact.

" Personally, I say really confuse the hell out of gamers.  Call it Call of Modern Duty At War Warfare 6: Men Without Hats. "

There's also no ESRB logo- it clearly isn't a final printing.

So Call of-, I mean Modern-, I mean Call of Duty Modern- no no..

Thanks Activision for making it far more confusing than what it originally was.

Sounds like a weird name change.. 

maybe his thumb is covering a tiny activision logo. 

No rating sticker on the boxart.  No Activision logo on the boxart.  The Call of Duty logo doesn't fit with it at all.  I'm waiting for someone to yell "FAKE"!

Oh my God. Make up your own fucking minds.

Modern Warfare 2: A Call of Duty Game

Why is this news.

Call of Duty presents? 

Digital_Sin is correct. Most likely these are the final "mockup" boxes for store shelves.

"

If you said "oh, hey, there's no Activision logo," then you win! Kind of weird, right? Like nearly all of the company's other releases, the COD4 box showed both the Activision and the Infinity Ward logos.

"

I don't know ...Starting to think it isnt the final box art. No Activision Logo and no ESRB rating.

"@Jeff said:

"

If you said "oh, hey, there's no Activision logo," then you win! Kind of weird, right? Like nearly all of the company's other releases, the COD4 box showed both the Activision and the Infinity Ward logos.

"

Well that.... and the fact that it doesn't have an ESRB rating."

and there's no esrb.

This is the most exciting news story ever!  I care about my packaging a lot so I am excited to watch this story about inclusions / exclusions of logos and words develop further.

Yeah it was the lack of an Activision logo that stood out to me the most when I first saw this box art.

That looks pretty legit. Whatever, no one says I'm playing Modern Warfare. Everyone I know says I'm playing COD or Call of Duty. The Call of Duty brand is great for marketing.

That's a pretty...underwhelming design, if not outright bad.  This isn't a criticism of the game itself, just the box art, but that design is almost embarassing considering the resources Activision has at its disposal.

Here's how i picture this went down.

The IW and Activision guys are sitting in a board room discussing the name of the game. IW guys want to name it Modern Warfare 2, and the Activison peeps are rooting for putting Call of Duty before it in big letters. Then, some guy from Treyarch, while sitting in the corner going unnoticed says "I know how to solve this, just make 'Call of Duty' smaller." Brief silence. "Ok let's do it" say the presidents for Activison and IW. Treyarch guy walks out of the room grinning to himself.

Hmm, this is the weirdest story of a video game in recent years. At first Infinity Ward made no attempts at hiding their issues with Activision and then dropped the name. The name shows up in what I can only assume are test copies of what the packaging layout is and it has the name on it again but doesn't have the Activision logo on it. Now IW isn't saying anything and Activision is speaking up but all the while throwing out tons of bullshit that doesn't answer the question at all. The history of the development of this game would make for one hell of a collectors edition making of DVD if either party would fess up to the internal issue at the company haha.

It was bound to have 'Call of Duty' on the box as it is a big brand name and will bring in the £££. Also if its a direct sequal to a Call of Duty game, like they say, then it is a Call of Duty game =P, so should be called that! Not like its a random spin-off or something! Infact if anything COD4 shouldn't have had the COD name as that was the spinoff! =S

I think that is the final art. It doesn't have the rating or region boxs due to that being different in each region. So that is like the 'basic' art without all the area specific stuff added.

Activision has the cash to pay for as much marketing as possible to let people know that the sequel to COD4 is MW2.

I hear by re-dub it: Call of Duty: Extinction