Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will hit $1.1bn Sales by Christmas

Before Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has even hit UK shores, analysts have already suggested it will beat its chief competitor, Battlefield 3, for the title of world's most popular military-shooter.

Despite not yet being released -- unless you live in certain parts of America -- analysts have already issued reports suggesting Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 sales will hit $1.1 billion just six weeks after launch.

The impressive statistic was prophesied by Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter, who went on to suggest the new game would sell 10 per cent more than its predecessor, Call of Duty: Black Ops.

If proven right, then Modern Warfare 3's sales would be incredibly impressive. Black Ops broke numerous sales records, generating $650 million (£406 million) in its first five days, a $100 million (£62 million) rise from its predecessor, Modern Warfare 2 which took in $550 million (£343 million).

As well as the impressive claims regarding Modern Warfare 3's sales revenue, Pachter went on to estimate the game's Cally of Duty Elite premium service would net as many as four million paid subscribers by the end of 2011.

The number suggested by Pachter would mean that the new Call of Duty would outsell it's EA-fathered competitor, Battlefield 3, which itself broke numerous sales records upon release earlier in 2011.

Just a week after its release, EA confirmed Battlefield 3 had broken its previous week one sales records, shifting over five million copies. The statistic meant that Battlefield 3 had beaten the cumulative opening week sales of all 17 of its predecessors.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is set for release 8 November, 2011. Stay tuned at the IBTimes for a full review and coverage of the game's launch party.