Shoot for the stars

There may be some debate over whether Call of Duty is still the juggernaut that it once was, but one thing’s for certain: most publishers would give their left arm for a franchise this successful. Activision has revealed that the latest instalment in its modern military series Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 has grossed an eye-watering $1 billion since launching on 13th November. Rumours suggest that the company penned the original press release in a notebook made up entirely of $50 bills.

For comparison purposes, it took the title a day less to reach the $1 billion milestone than Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Infinity Ward’s sequel took 16 days to accrue the total, while it only took Treyarch’s latest 15 days. Meanwhile, James Cameron’s Avatar took 17 days. Slow coach.

Analysts had previously stated that Call of Duty: Black Ops 2’s sales were “cause for concern”. It’s a quote that makes every other employee in the entertainment industry cry themselves to sleep.