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Agence France-Presse

The latest “Call of Duty” video game boasted an opening weekend that blew away any other game, film, book or music debut this year, the company behind it said.
Call of Duty: Black Ops III racked up more than US$550 million in sales in the three days after its release on November 6, according to California-based Activision Publishing, a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard.
“Call of Duty's millions of passionate fans have shown us, yet again, the strength of their commitment to this enduring franchise,” said Activision Blizzard chief executive Bobby Kotick.
It was “the biggest entertainment launch this year in any medium, and bigger than any theatrical opening weekend ever”, he added.
Fans played the game online for more than 75 million hours, setting a new record for the blockbuster franchise.
Black Ops III is the 12th game in the series, testimony to its longevity and ability to reinvent itself, all the while earning it a loyal following of tens of millions of fans.
“Our fans are engaging more deeply with the franchise than ever before,” said Activision Publishing chief executive Eric Hirshberg.
“Call of Duty is more than a game, it's a year round passion for a growing base of millions of fans and it's only gaining momentum.”
The game's story line, new features and intense zombie mode have helped make it our most successful title launch so far this year
Bob Puzon, of retailer GameStop
The latest mission in the first-person shooter franchise sends players into a “dark and twisted future”.
For Activision Blizzard, the latest revamp of its gaming megahit aimed to revive stagnating sales and came hot on the heels of an announcement that it is buying the maker of the addictive Candy Crush Saga, King Digital Entertainment, for US$5.9 billion – tapping into a market of half a billion gamers worldwide.
This time the action is set in the year 2065. Climate change has spawned fierce competition over scarce resources. Highly effective anti-aircraft systems mean fighting is on the ground, and often in covert or “black” operations.
The game launched across an array of consoles and PCs.
“Call of Duty: Black Ops III is off to a great start,” said Bob Puzon, senior vice-president of merchandising for US retail chain GameStop.
“The game's story line, new features and intense zombie mode have helped make it our most successful title launch so far this year.”
Black Ops III was created by Treyarch studio and published by Activision.
And while the latest incarnation harks back to recent episodes, notably with shades of 2014's Advanced Warfare, it is a far cry from its debut based on World War II action.
Advances in consoles mean that for the first time the “Campaign” – the main narrative of the game – can be played with friends. It also features women soldiers.
As usual the game offers over-the-internet multiplayer battles as well, not to mention “Zombies” mode as gamers look to survive attacks from hordes of the living dead.
Activision uses three developer studios so a new Call of Duty title is available each year.
See the SCMP’s review of the game next week


Call of Duty video game debut is biggest entertainment launch of 2015 

Scene from "Call of Duty: Black Ops 3."

(FILES): This June 16, 2015 shows gaming fans waiting in line to play Activision Blizzard 's Call of Duty Black Ops III at E3 - the Electronic Entertainment Expo - an annual video game conference and show at the Los Angeles Convention Center on June 16, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. US video game producer Activision Blizzard announced late November 2, 2015 that it was buying King Digital Entertainment, best known for its "Candy Crush" mobile game, for $5.9 billion. Activision Blizzard, which produces such games as "Call of Duty," said in a statement that the purchase "will create one of the largest global entertainment networks with over half a billion combined monthly active users in 196 countries." AFP PHOTO / Files / FREDERIC J. BROWN

This screen image released by Activision shows a battle scene from "Call of Duty: Black Ops III." (Activision via AP)

A scene from Call of Duty: Black Ops III.

Ex-dictator Manuel Noriega sues over Call of Duty video game

Noriega as depicted in the Call of Duty game. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Activision Blizzard buys Candy Crush creator King Digital for US$5.9 billion

Candy Crush Saga creator King Digital Entertainment went public in March last year, but has been struggling to boost bookings. Photo: AFP

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Three-day sales of US$550 million for Black Ops III, the 12th edition of classic game blows away the opposition - films, games, books and music


Call of Duty video game debut is biggest entertainment launch of 2015

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Three-day sales of US$550 million for Black Ops III, the 12th edition of classic game blows away the opposition - films, games, books and music

Three-day sales of US$550 million for Black Ops III, the 12th edition of classic game blows away the opposition - films, games, books and music