RPT-PREVIEW-'Call of Duty' game shoots to make history

(Repeats Nov. 6 story for wider readership)

* Launches Nov. 10 with 10,000 stores opening at midnight

* Shooter game expected to rank among all-time top sellers

* Publisher Activision Blizzard shares outperform rival

* Analyst says game to account for one-third Q4 EPS

By Gabriel Madway and Franklin Paul

SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Forget the buzz over the next "Twilight" film or James Cameron's "Avatar." The biggest entertainment hit of the holiday season may come on Tuesday, when "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" hits stores.

The video game published by Activision Blizzard Inc (ATVI.O) is the most highly anticipated of the year, winning accolades from gaming blogs and Wall Street analysts alike. But it also arrives at a time when the weak economy is punishing sales across the video game industry.

Activision has plenty riding on the launch, and much to lose if the game falls short of expectations. Shares of the company have risen around 30 percent this year, outperforming chief rival Electronic Arts Inc's (ERTS.O) 18 percent gain.