Scrooge McDuckWe all know the Call of Duty franchise is popular, but just how popular? So popular that its DLC alone could rake in more money than many other games make in their entire retail shelf life. According to Broadpoint AmTech analyst Ben Schachter, downloadable content for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 could generate up to $140 million for Activision in 2010 (via IndustryGamers).

"As with the last two CoD titles, the game itself should maintain its $60 launch price until the next iteration (due in large part to the value of its online gameplay)," Schachter said. "But Activision will also benefit significantly from the high-margin DLC potential enabled by the packaged product's success. We estimate that Activision will generate at least $100mil-$140mil in gross revenue from Call of Duty DLC in 2010."

And it may not just be the usual run of additional map packs (which we already know are coming) that'll help fill Activision's coffers to overflowing. Schachter thinks different and more elaborate DLC may be on the way.