Black Ops: The Highest Earning Game Of The Generation

Get ready for some big numbers.

We all know Call of Duty: Black Ops had already surpassed the $1 billion mark since launching last November, but now we have a new sales update, one which publisher Activision Blizzard is all too proud to reveal:

The latest CoD installment is now the "highest-earning game of all time on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC in the US and Europe." We don't have an exact number to attach to this announcement, but the fact of the matter is impressive enough. This news comes as part of Activision's first-quarter earnings report, in which they posted a net revenue of $1.4 billion, slightly up from the $1.3 billion it enjoyed during the same period a year ago. Overall profits rose to $503 million, which is up $122 million in the year-over-year comparison.

They also announced a nice increase in the digital realm, mostly thanks to the Black Ops First Strike add-on DLC, which had already been downloaded 1.4 million times during the first 24 hours of availability on Xbox Live. Finally, Activision has revised their fiscal 2011 projections; instead of $3.95 billion, they're expecting $4.05 billion.

Outside of the numbers, the company offered a new hint about the CoD scheduled for this year, saying it would boast "an unprecedented online universe." Oh, and as for all you RPG fans out there, Blizzard Entertainment CEO Michael Morhaime gave us a status update on Diablo III: it's still slated to release later this year and beta testing is planned. Who's up for it?

Related Game(s): Call of Duty: Black Ops

Tags: call of duty, black ops, black ops sales, activision

5/9/2011 8:37:48 PM John Shepard

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Comments (57 posts)

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Cuetes
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 9:04:03 PM
Reply

I'm proud to say none of that was my money.

17 up, 1 down

matt99
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 9:28:06 PM
Reply

Well this shows gaming is definitely becoming more mainstream, but the question remains: is that a good thing?

3 up, 0 down

Ultimate_Balla
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 9:37:40 PM
Reply

I wanna work for AB. ('_')

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 9:54:29 PM

yeah, change it from the inside.

3 up, 0 down

hellish_devil
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 9:42:59 PM
Reply

Hopefully Japanese studios aren't reading this. They'll go like "let's all do a mindless shooter!" again.

6 up, 1 down

sticklife
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 9:53:26 PM
Reply

This make me sad and a bit happy at the same time. One day these people will want a deeper game to enjoy and on that day a truly deserving game will become the best selling of all time. (come on ape escape or metal gear! =D)

2 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 9:59:55 PM
Reply

Battlefield might be gunning for them even more soon, yesteday analyst Mike Hickey from Janco Partners theorized that Battlefield will be in a prime position to alternate between its main franchise and Bad Company for annual releases whose quality flat out beats CoD hands down.

Yup, I think I'll be a Battlefield backer :)

4 up, 1 down

Lawless SXE
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 1:53:39 AM

But how is that really any different from the annual releases of CoD switching between MW and Treyarch games? Hypocrisy!

1 up, 0 down

___________
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 3:40:30 AM

whats that?
EA are going to milk the sh*t out of a franchise?
IMPOSSIBLE!
they would never do that!
this is why nothing can become popular, as soon as it does we get yearly releases and the innovation stops and we get the same old leftovers reheated in the microwave!

0 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 6:48:02 AM

It isn't different, except BF might stand a chance now.

1 up, 0 down

gangan19
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 10:06:00 PM
Reply

In my defense to this game, I have a love for zombies

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 10:18:16 PM

That defense is totally and completely acceptable :)

4 up, 0 down

gangan19
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 10:21:33 PM

lol...well it's still sad I have to get the zobie maps by buying the whole map pack :(

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 10:34:02 PM

yeah, but at least freddy is in it.

Buffy= pow chicka wow wow

3 up, 0 down

gangan19
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 10:43:49 PM

well, I do like the old characters better... change is good?

1 up, 0 down

Godslim
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 4:57:11 AM

lol me too its the only good thing about black ops

1 up, 0 down

Dancemachine55
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 10:13:35 PM
Reply

And that, my friends, is the last time I give my hard-earned money towards a highly generic, grossly over-rated, painfully unforgiving and stupidly short First-person Shooter that uses the same engine for over 5 years and still considers it the best.

No vehicles, no environment damage, tiny maps, short campaigns, unforgiving multiplayer, it feels like playing a PS2 shooter with a high gloss coat. Thank God for Battlefield 3, just need to convince all my friends to go with the better product over the generic brand.

Remove Call of Duty from the title, and watch review scores plummet 4 points out of 10.

Last edited by Dancemachine55 on 5/9/2011 10:16:46 PM

9 up, 2 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 10:20:31 PM

"Remove Call of Duty from the title, and watch review scores plummet 4 points out of 10"

I've felt that way for awhile, or at least 2 points. I mean if someone else released a game exactly like CoD they'd just call it a clone and knock the points way down.

3 up, 1 down

Dancemachine55
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 4:57:42 AM

It just boggles my mind that so many other great shooters with so much more depth and higher quality are ignored.

Maybe that's just it. I answered my own point.

The masses like quick and fast games with no depth and no thinking required, just quick reflexes and fast matches to boast high scores to friends. What a shame that this industry has suddenly decided to cater to them than the hardcore gamers who are willing to try their games and welcome something fresh and different. (Dragon's Dogma, I'm looking at you)

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 6:48:48 AM

It's the controls man, they can only use one control set.

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 10:43:20 PM
Reply

Evidently this is what the masses want.

::tear::

1 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 10:46:00 PM
Reply

:Off Topic:

Anyone else having problems with Netflix? My internet connecting is currently not having any issues but I'm unable to use Netflix. It simply says "Unable to connect you to Netflix. Please try again later".

grrrr

0 up, 0 down

Geobaldi
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 11:55:50 PM

Works perfectly fine on my end, but that's my PC connection. Haven't tried it on PS3 yet seeing as how I have to hook that system back up first.

0 up, 0 down

gangan19
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 12:26:40 AM

yup im having the same problem, no soulution yet :(

0 up, 0 down

main_event05
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 12:56:28 AM

its working great on my phone.

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 1:12:33 AM

Hmm...still having issues. Thankfully I own all of The X-Files but Netflix is easier.

I would check it out on my phone but I have a Droid and Netflix still wont support the OS. Stupid, very stupid of them.

1 up, 0 down

kraygen
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 1:19:30 AM

I was having the same problem earlier this evening as well.

Seems they have this issue at least once every couple of months. Luckily it usually lasts less than 24 hours.

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 1:28:59 AM

I've actually never encountered this type of error before. In the past I've received emails letting me know I may have been unable to use the service the prior day (never been unable to get on) and was given a few $ of credit to my account. I guess this is what will happen come tomorrow.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 6:49:31 AM

happened to me twice in the last couple weeks, works most of the time, try it later.

0 up, 0 down

Wraith
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 11:38:28 PM
Reply

so I take it that I'm the only person who is happy with their black ops purchase. Call of Duty provides a certain "fun factor" that can't be replicated with any other game. I have a blast while playing zombies with my friends and other multiplayer modes. People who buy call of duty don't care much about the "short campaign" or "bad graphics".....Call of Duty simply provides a fun experience for MILLIONS of people around the world.

Last edited by Wraith on 5/9/2011 11:39:06 PM

4 up, 2 down

Nas Is Like
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 11:46:04 PM
Reply

Wow.

I liked Black Ops and I love the Call of Duty [Modern Warfare] series, but in all honesty, there's no way it deserved that much money or those accomplishments. It just doesn't feel right.

1 up, 1 down

Godslim
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 5:02:48 AM

yeh mw is way better

1 up, 0 down

Geobaldi
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 11:58:51 PM
Reply

So many other titles that are out there that deserve more attention and yet the masses flock to this series. I guess I'll never understand what the appeal of it is.

1 up, 0 down

dkmrules
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 12:02:34 AM

Pretty much because its very simple, to the point and fun as hell.

2 up, 2 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 1:09:44 AM

Me neither Geo.

The popularity of this game and games like it make me question my likes/dislikes. Because I can't find a single thing that makes me want to play any of them past the 5hr SP campaigns they offer.

I REALLY don't get why anyone would enjoy a FPS with auto aim.

1 up, 1 down

main_event05
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 12:57:20 AM
Reply

Profit < Innovation

3 up, 2 down

main_event05
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 3:11:17 PM

why'd i get thumbed down? its not REAL math.

Last edited by main_event05 on 5/10/2011 3:11:42 PM

2 up, 0 down

kraygen
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 1:22:50 AM
Reply

Truth be told this is how most things are once they go mainstream. When only a few access something people who provide that service do it for the love and passion of the art.

Once it's mainstream it becomes as simple as asking, "What is the easiest way to simplify this for the mass majority, with the lowest cost to us and the highest possible margin of profit?"

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 1:27:14 AM

Well to be honest I don't ever remember a CallofDuty game not being a cookie-cutter FPS meant for the masses.

Whereas my beloved Alien movie became a part of a laughable series (after 3) and now just feeds the MountainDew crowd.

Last edited by LimitedVertigo on 5/10/2011 1:27:34 AM

0 up, 0 down

Geobaldi
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 1:40:16 AM

There's always hope for the prequel that's being made. With any luck it's bring the series back full circle to how it's supposed to be. Though it'll never amass the greatness that the first two movies had sadly.

0 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 1:56:18 AM

Prometheus is no longer a prequel, but a stand-alone project. Doesn't matter to me, the mere attachment to Alien was what got me interested, and I'll still damn well be seeing it in cinemas.
Peace.

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 2:21:15 AM

Prequel, Sequel, Remake, Reboot... it doesn't matter. Alien was never intended to be part of a series. With each new movie (Aliens you too) the original Alien is tarnished. I'm a broken record on this issue but I stand firm with my opinion.

Sure they are no longer calling this Ridley Scott directed movie a prequel but it will still include creatures and concepts from the Alien universe and thus I see no good coming from this.

I suggest anyone that enjoys Alien or the other movies check out this site: alienexperience (you know the drill, add the dotcom)

0 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 2:38:58 AM

While the first was a great movie, for some reason, the third is the one that resonated with me the most. I know that sounds odd, but it just felt as though Ripley's story was complete, and I do believe that Alien was about Ellen Ripley more than the Xenomorphs. To have a horror film (and subsequent series) so heavily character driven is something that we need to go back to (and no, Saw doesn't count because it got too out of hand after the second film).

Resurrection was clearly just a cash-grab. There was no need for it, and AVP is simply a blight on the once great series. But I'm glad that (at least up to Fury) it happened, as it led to Prometheus seems to have a solid premise.
Peace.

P.S. Thanks for the link!

Last edited by Lawless SXE on 5/10/2011 2:41:18 AM

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 2:53:34 AM

Glad to hear you enjoy Alien3. I enjoy it as well, in fact I think it makes up for a lot of the errors committed by JC's Aliens. I suggest you check out the Assembly Cut of Alien3, it gives you a glimpse of what Fincher's true vision was before the hot-headed Producers compromised the project. Besides Fight Club I consider Alien3 his best work. It's a shame he refuses to acknowledge Alien3 to this day.

Enjoy the site, lots of useful information and some really amazing people on the forums.

0 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 1:58:58 AM
Reply

Surprised? Damn it, I hope R* get off their ar*es and announce GTA: Next at E3 '11, just so that maybe SOMETHING will have a chance at truly ending the sales dominance of CoD. Oh, headache of headaches. Why is such an uninspired game so sought after?
Peace.

0 up, 3 down

___________
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 3:37:15 AM
Reply

and this is news how?
in other breaking news the sky is blue, dogs bark, cows say moo and waters wet.

on a more relevant matter looks like a MW3 announcement is imminent.
was at EB today grabbing infamous again so i can port my save into infamous 2 and they had a sign up for MW3 preorders.
i asked did i miss something, it hasnt been announced yet.
he laughed and said thats what was sent in.
ok, kinda weird posting up preorders for games that have not been announced yet.........

2 up, 5 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 4:07:32 AM

Yup, I still take everything you write on here as complete BULL$HIT.

4 up, 1 down

Lawless SXE
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 5:59:42 AM

You know what'd be funny? Activision announces Modern Warfare 3, then the lawsuit with West and Zampella is settled with the latter gaining control of the IP. Just imagine the potential fallout. The immediate announcement that Respawn is in fact working on MW3, which would force Activision to pull millions of dollars of advertising, otherwise they'd be promoting their competition. That is assuming, of course, that IW is working on MW3, and not CoD: Ghost Rising.
Peace.

1 up, 0 down

gunblademaster
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 7:01:08 AM

Do you know what would be even funnier? If Modern Warfare 3 wasn't even announced.

I know its gonna happen but it would be hilarious if it didn't

Last edited by gunblademaster on 5/10/2011 7:02:44 AM

0 up, 1 down

Godslim
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 5:08:05 AM
Reply

i dont think black ops deserves its sales really because all try do is steal iw's ideas, engine and basic structure and make it worse....i would much prefer there to only be a mw series.....i also feel it needs a reboot as its getting so samey after black ops

0 up, 0 down

Kiryu
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 6:25:10 AM
Reply

Also the worst game of this Generation.

0 up, 4 down

Godslim
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 9:10:21 AM

funny :S

0 up, 0 down

jimmyhandsome
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 9:16:15 AM
Reply

Call of Duty is by no means a BAD game, but I don't fully understand why it's so damn popular. If it wasn't the "best selling game of this generation" it certainly wouldn't be as hated around here.

I remember falling in love with Call of Duty 2 back in '05. I think I started to lose interest after the first Modern Warfare. This will probably be the first year I pass on a CoD game.

2 up, 0 down

AcHiLLiA
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 10:39:43 AM

cause most of the teens and down are addicted.

1 up, 0 down

Godslim
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 7:01:36 PM

really u lost interest after the first mw thats what kick started it for me

0 up, 0 down

Danny007
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 2:45:37 PM
Reply

I would love to see gamers throw a curveball at Activision and have no one buy the next Call Of Duty.

2 up, 1 down

Lairfan
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 6:47:00 PM
Reply

Well that's unsurprising. I'm still waiting for the "Killzone 3 surpassed 2 million sold" news, but no, who would want to buy that excellent FPS over CoD?

1 up, 0 down

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