
Hardly a surprise - but publisher says it isn't resting on its laurels either to grow franchise
No, it's not a shocker: Activision has this evening confirmed that a new Call of Duty title will hit later this year.
The publisher didn't confirm if the game is a sequel to Modern Warfare 2 or, most likely, one of the historical versions of the franchise that visits famous theatres of war.
But what it did say was that while it doesn't necessarily expect the new game to be as big a hit as MW2, it expects further franchise growth in 2010.
The news came as part of an earnings call where Activision announced record 2009 revenues.
"We've consistently grown revenues for the franchise year over year and continue to do that this year," said Mike Griffiths, head of Activision Publishing.
"At the same time we recognise MW2 was unprecedented – we expect more difficult competitive environment in 2010."
He added that "we're still bullish on this year's title" although offered little other specifics for the game itself.
Elsewhere, Griffiths said the global Call of Duty fanbase will continue to grow via new installments at retail, strong hardware attach rates and DLC.
"The Call of Duty Brand has never been stronger - 2010 will be a big year for the franchise," he said.
He also said that "exceptional marketing programs" will ensure back catalogue sales remain strong - the first Modern Warfare to this day has pretty much held its RRP of around £40 here in the UK.
Griffith also said Activision Blizzard would grow Call of Duty beyond traditional console releases too, with "new geographies, genres and business models" all part of the franchise's future.
Comments
Stupid just plain stupid
Activision+Call of Duty= a boring ass stupid war game, please give the rightful crown to infinity ward so they can continue to make amazing games. If Activision makes another call of duty game, i just might shoot myself before i have to suffer playing another gay game.
COD
Activision are the publishers, not the devs. I presume you mean Treyarch? Either way, Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward) is shockingly bad/glitchy/laggy/cheat prone. I think everyone is finally beginning to realise this. Treyarch deserve the crown of best COD game in World At War.
call of duty
Modern Campfare 2 is a load of crap, all the casuals play it. I actually prefer the Treyarch titles. For Infinity Ward, Cod4 was awesome.
WW2 bull again?
All I know is that, if it's another WW2 cliche crap, I wouldn't bother with it!
WAW-MW
WAW was better online however the campaign was a severe let down, so I guess it depends where your priorities lie, Online or Offline play.
Shock, horror!
"Activision in churning out the same old shit year in yeat out shocker!"
Well colour me surprised.
Funny
Funny how everyone always hates the guys on top. Used to be EA and now everyone is having diggs at Activision wherever they can.
MW2 is shockingly bad in comparison to other games IN MY OPINION, but there obvioulsy millions of other who dont share that view. Its all about BF BC2!!!
I hated counter strike dosent mean it wasent the most popular FPS for years.
They done a good job, campagin is good online not so good but if u dont like it dont play it dont buy it dont even think about it no one is forcing you to!
Ho hum...
Activision in "generic FPS engine re-skin" shocker... and they wonder why sales are dropping.
There needs to be a law which prevents any company from releasing re-skinned games within 12 months of a previous version. Make it a 24 month cycle and force them to be... oh, I don't know... creative perhaps, to earn their money.
If they can't manage it, then good riddance to stale developers. The gaming public deserve better than this tripe every year.
Feeling the love
Woah...all this resentment and animosity.....!
Has everyone gone mad? This is good news - MW2 has sold over 3 million units in the UK alone and the game posted a 93% metacritic score. How anyone can say MW2 is "shockingly bad" I really don't know. Anyone holding this view certainly seems ot be in the minority!! Fair play to Activision and their studios for being able to create a game that's become a social phenomenon in a market that saw double digit decline in 2009.
I saw that Actiivision UK donated £250k to the War Chid charity last Christmas so I say keep up the good work.
FD
COD
Oh yeah, sold a ton but then the hype was sensational.
It's shockingly bad from the perspective of any gamer who's primary genre is FPS (in terms of teamplay and skill), and shockingly bad from the sheer amount of glitches found within the game itself.
In a nutshell: There's no skill in camping, attaining a few heli's and an AC130 and scoring top of the leaderboard. There's no definition of skill in the game (unlike COD 4).
Wrong
Call of Duty is in no-way shockingly bad.
You're wrong.
The critics and the millions who play the game online every week disagree.
@Fraser Durham
Yes, lets celebrate profit over creativity. Without creativity this industry will go down.
World At War
Redh3lix is spot on - World At War is the definitive CoD. MW2's online play is poor - rewarding you for dying a lot is shocking to me. But the real downside to MW2 online is the whole not having to wait to call in a chopper. The skies can be filled with hundreds of them, which makes travel anywhere other than buildings impossible. THAT decision alone from IW is a travesty.
And don't get me started on the lack of party chat. I am SO sick of listening to 11-year old American kids who are going to "screw my mother" just because I shot them first.
World At War is superior online in every way. Infinity Ward may have developed the engine - but Treyarch perfected it. And if the 2010 CoD is by Treyarch, then they've got my £40.
MW2
Sure MW2 is glitchy, but you can't complain for them giving you a pick up when your on a deathstreak! Its not like you get an AC130 for dying 3 times in a row, and the killstreaks are well thought out, the only problem is that online people hack the servers, and thats not IW hacking them, it's randomers who are bored! The campain was a huge letdown though.
BRING OUT THE NEW COD
As we know MW2 has a shit server compare to cod4 & cod5. Even tho they had patched the Lag glitch in the first patch it still lags so overall IW must develop really will to confirm the title. MW2 is so easy, even noobs get a good killstreak unlike other cod games. But i must say IW are too extra to put too many Killstreak one is a good way, second it aint. I hope activision will develop a good game with no lags at all, a great server and try to keep less killstreaks.
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