NPR : News

'Call Of Duty: Black Ops II' Sells $500 Million In First 24 Hours

By: Eyder Peralta // November 16, 2012
comments

Here's a big number for you today: $500 million.

That's how much the latest installment of the "Call Of Duty" video game, "Black Ops II," raked in the 24 hours following its release.

"With first day sales of over half a billion dollars worldwide, we believe Call of Duty is the biggest entertainment launch of the year for the fourth year in a row," Bobby Kotick, CEO, Activision Blizzard, said in a statement. "Life-to-date sales for the Call of Duty franchise have exceeded worldwide theatrical box office receipts for Harry Potter and Star Wars, the two most successful movie franchises of all time."

The Los Angeles Times reports the previous installment, "Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" grossed $400 million its first day. So, while the number may seem eye-popping don't be fooled, analyst Evan Wilson told the Times.

The paper reports:

"Wilson also noted that 'Modern Warfare 3' grossed $775 million globally in its first five days and called that 'the number to watch' in terms of a direct comparison for 'Black Ops II.'

"While it undoubtedly remains one of the most popular and profitable brands in the video game industry, analysts have been worried that Activision's annual 'Call of Duty' installments have been starting to lose sales momentum. Some analysts said that after a bigger start, 'Modern Warfare 3' sold less than 2010 entry 'Call of Duty: Black Ops.'"

Copyright 2012 National Public Radio. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.

Arts & Culture

NPR

Book News: Stephen King's New Bogeyman? Digital Publishing

Also: the legacy of Kierkegaard; the creator of Lyle Crocodile has died; Aussie airliner Qantas commissions flight-length books.

Food

NPR

Washington State Butcher Spikes Pig Feed With Weed

Despite its name, the "pot pig" experiment isn't an attempt to develop a new meaty treat for stoners. Instead, a Seattle butcher is feeding marijuana seeds, stems and root bulbs to swine as a cheeky money-saving measure.

Politics

NPR

'I Was Dismayed' To Learn What Agency Did, Ex-IRS Chief Says

Under Douglas Shulman's watch, IRS personnel singled out some conservative groups for extra scrutiny. That, he conceded Tuesday, has "justifiably led to questions" about the tax agency's motivation.

Technology

NPR

My Social Security Number Is Posted Where?

Sensitive personal information for thousands of applicants to a government phone program was easily available online, according to a new report. Isaac Wolf, of Scripps Howard News Service, talks to host Michel Martin about finding applicants' social security numbers, home addresses and more online.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.