Modern Warfare is hell, but it's very entertaining

As the crowds gathered in Leicester Square last month, surrounded by paparazzi, and the celebrities walked up the red (actually camouflage-coloured) carpet, you could have been forgiven for thinking you were at the first night of the latest Hollywood film. In fact, this was the exclusive screening of a video game — Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. It made history by having its launch in London's film district.

You may have heard that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 sold nearly five million copies in the US and the UK on its first day of release — that's $310 million in sales. The lavish London launch was part of a general boom in the games sector, which some experts believe could beat the film industry in overall profits for the first time this year.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has caused controversy with a scene involving a terrorist shooting civilians at an airport. Labour MP Keith Vaz called for the game to be banned, but fellow MP Tom Watson took the opposing view in The Guardian.

Actors fearing for their jobs should not panic. The stars are now lining up to be the voices in the latest video hits. Kevin McKidd, Craig Fairbrass and Billy Murray all feature in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.