First MW2 pre-orders arrive

With the global release of Modern Warfare 2 still four days away the very first legitimately bought copies of Activision’s shooter have begun landing on doormats – and it appears to be customers of The Hut who have got lucky.

We are dedicated to getting products to customers on release,” a spokesperson for The Hut Group told MCV. We use Royal Mail as our preferred courier and were advised to dispatch on Thursday for delivery on Tuesday due to the impending strike action.

This was called off on Thursday evening and we have contacted Royal Mail to hold the product until Tuesday. Ultimately Royal Mail’s resolution of impending strike action has resulted in a few extremely happy gamers who will have a great weekend.”

Earlier this week HMV was forced to issue a statement confirming that it had not yet posted out its copies of the game after many customers received automated emails claiming their orders were out for delivery.

In addition, commentators on this MCV story have insisted that GAME and Gamestation staff have been told they are not allowed to take home early copies or even play the game behind closed doors in stores. Even press copies of the game are not being issued until midnight at the London launch event on Monday night.

The pressure is now on and we’ll have to wait and see whether the floodgates open over the weekend or whether retail holds its nerve.