call of duty
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Source: Treyarch / Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
It’s no secret that making AAA video games has become expensive for game studios, but we have no idea how much coins are needed to bring some of the biggest titles to players. A new report has revealed how much Activision spent to develop several Call of Duty games, and the amount is eye-watering.
Stephen Totitlo of Game File exclusively reports that Activision dropped a BIG BAG on three top-selling Call of Duty games in the franchise, a court filing reviewed by Game File revealed.
In the court filing, which is part of a declaration filed to a California court on December 23 in response to a lawsuit filed against Activision in May 2022 in connection with the 2022 school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, Patrick Kelly, Activision’s current head of creative on the Call of Duty franchise, revealed that three titles in the first-person shooter franchise between 2015 and 2022 cost between $450 and $700 million to make.
Of the three titles, 2020’s Black Ops Cold War cost the most. Activision spent over $700 million to develop it, selling 30 million copies.
Those numbers are the highest development costs ever reported for a video game, easily topping the roughly $220 million spent on Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us: Part II. We only learned about this in 2023 when a poorly redacted court filing went viral online.
Per Game File:
Black Ops III (2015): “Treyarch developed the game over three years with a creative team of hundreds of people, and invested over $450 million in development costs over the game’s lifecycle.” (Kelly also discloses that it has sold 43 million copies.)
Modern Warfare (2019): “Infinity Ward developed the game over several years and has spent over $640 million in development costs throughout the game’s lifecycle.” (41 million copies sold)
Black Ops Cold War (2020): “Treyarch and Raven Software took years to create the game with a team of hundreds of creatives. They ultimately spent over $700 million in development costs over the game’s lifecycle.” (30 million copies sold)
According to Game File, Kelly explicitly named those three titles and their budgets in the lawsuit because the shooter was an avid player of them.
That’s a lot of money, but are we shocked? Not in the least bit.
Also, it’s time people stop blaming video games for real-life behavior; just saying.
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Source: Activision / Acitivision
Netflix’s famed Squid Game franchise comes to Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone and plans to take all your attention and forsake your responsibilities and pick up the sticks.
COD players will be able to compete in multiple Squid Game-themed and Limited Time Modes in Multiplayer, Zombies, and Call of Duty: Warzone via Squid Game Bundles and Event Rewards.
Hip-Hop Wired got a chance to play the Red Light, Green Light multiplayer mode where the familiar Squd Game character Young-hee is watching, and if she spots you, you’re dead. The game is not typical of a shooter like COD but nevertheless it will be addictive once you get your hands on it. Note, you will take plenty of L’s when figuring out its nuances.
Source: Activision / Acitivision
But, more familiar territory arrives in the Pentathlon mode, where you compete in a series of Multiplayer modes (including Domination, Kill Confirmed, and Hardpointas well as two news mode variants; Piggy Bank Team Deathmatch and Roulette) in one match.
The full list of Squid Game x Call of Duty modes is chunky (like XP Rewards, a new Cleaver Melee Weapon, Squid Game-themed operators and much, much more), and you can get your full fill of details over at https://www.callofduty.com/blog/.
Good hunting.
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Source: Xbox / Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is easily the biggest release on the Xbox platform since the acquisition of Activision Blizzard King, and to celebrate, Team Green is releasing a care package for COD players.
On Wednesday, Xbox unveiled its new Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection. It features two customizable Call of Duty: Black Ops 6-themed controller variants: a Wireless Controller and an Elite Wireless Controller Series 2.
Thanks to the addition of a console wrap, your XSX console can also participate in the action.
Both controllers “capture the tension and intrigue of the ’90s spy thriller theme” and will “immerse players deeper into the game’s world.”
The new controllers will be available through Microsoft’s Xbox Design Labs website. Players can customize them with the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 skin.
Both controllers are available now: the Xbox Wireless Controller costs $84.98, and the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 costs $164.98.
The Series X console wrap will cost $54.99 and be available for pre-order exclusively from the Microsoft Store. The console wrap will be released on October 23.
If you want to match the swag of Series X and controllers, there is also merch available to wear. The Xbox Icon Collection will also take its cues from design elements featured on the controllers and add them to the new hoodie and joggers exclusively available at the Xbox Gear Shop.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 launches on the PS5, PS4, XSX/S, Xbox One, and PC next Friday, October 25. It will also be available on PC Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
For more photos of the collection hit the gallery below.
1. Xbox Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection
Source:Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection
Xbox Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection xbox,call of duty,call of duty: black ops 6
2. Xbox Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection
Source:Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection
Xbox Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection xbox,call of duty,call of duty: black ops 6
3. Xbox Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection
Source:Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection
Xbox Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection xbox,call of duty,call of duty: black ops 6
4. Xbox Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection
Source:Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection
Xbox Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection xbox,call of duty,call of duty: black ops 6
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Source: Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty / LeBron & Bronny James
Are the Los Angeles Lakers father-son duo, LeBron and Bronny James, coming to Call of Duty as playable operator skins?
Like his son, Bronny, LeBron James is a gamer. He has his own PS5 DualSense Controller and has been featured as a playable character in the WB Games Interactive fighter MultiVersus.
Bronny and LeBron also starred in a hilarious television spot for PlayStation’s God of War: Ragnarok.
Now, for their next trick, there seems to be a very good chance the two professional hoopers will join the likes of Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, and 21 Savage by having their own operation skins in Call of Duty.
The buzz all started when LBJ lobbied for his son, who was once a member of FaZe Clan, to have his own operator skin in Call of Duty on X, formerly Twitter, writing in a post, “Bronny just said he want his own “Skin”. @Activision @CallofDuty talk to me.”
When LeBron James calls you out, you have to respond, and the official X account for COD did respond with a GIF of The Replacer, writing, “We know Bronny is a shooter, let’s talk. First father son duo in NBA history. Could be a #CallOfDuty first too.”
The Replacer Has Been Busy
So maybe The Replacer will replace both Bronny and LeBron so they can play some Black Ops 6.
Adding more fuel to the speculation fire, notable Call of Duty news site CharlieIntel also took notice, dropping the “looking eyes emoji.”
This latest development comes after The Replacer stepped in for Angel Reese so she can play some Black Ops 6, speculating the Chicago Sky superstar will be involved in the next installment in the Black Ops franchise.
Bronny also won the Call of Duty two-minute drill at the NBA Summer League, so the young hooper’s involvement in the game could have been in the works for a minute.
We shall see how this plays out. The gallery below shows more reactions to LeBron and Bronny James possibly getting operator skins.
1. LOL, chill
2. Nepotism we have no issue with
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Source: Activision / Activision
Call Of Duty: Black Op 6 is almost here. So that means the beloved first-person shooter’s publisher Activision is launching a hefty advertising campaign, just in case you need a reminder.
The first spot in the live-action campaign features a familiar character—The Replacer, portrayed by actor Peter Stormare (Fargo, John Wick Chapter 2). First seen back in 2013 (damn, it has been that long?!), The Replacer helps players focus on their gaming while he handles their business. And in this case, that includes serving tacos, “saving” cats from trees, blessing his followers and holding down family dinner time, to comedic effect.
“The Return of the Replacer” is only the start of a series of launch commercials that will drop prior to the title’s release in late October. Plans are for a total of over 30 unique spots across media, intent on targeting various audiences. Gamers do lurk everywhere, after all. Expect some famous games to get “replaced.”
Watch “The Return of the Replacer” below (its broadcast debut was during Sunday Football on September 29th). Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 is out October 25.
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the seventh installment in the Black Ops series (and the twenty-fourth mainline Call of Duty installment overall), drops for Sony PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X on Friday, Oct. 25.
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Ready for pre-order for $69.99 at Target, Black Ops 6 is a first-person shooter with open-world elements from Treyarch, Raven Software and Activision.
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And if you’re a Target Circle member, you can order now and get Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 delivered straight to your home in two days.
Not a member? Sign up for a free membership to take advantage of all that Target Circle has to offer, including access to “deal of the day” products, instant savings on select items, three months of Apple TV+ to watch hit originals, access to exclusive shopping events — such as Target’s Deal Days and early Black Friday deals — and other perks.
If you want to take it a step further, you can sign up for the Target Circle Card (with no annual fee), which offers an extra 5% discount on all purchases, two-day free shipping with no order minimums and more. Learn more about the Target Circle Card here.
In addition, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is available for pre-order at Walmart and Amazon.
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Sony PS5
‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’
Release date: Oct. 25
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Xbox Series X
‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’
Release date: Oct. 25
Set during the Gulf War in Kuwait in the ’90s, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 follows a CIA operative assembling a team of agents to help him take down Pantheon, a secret organization that wants to launch an apocalyptic weapon.
The new games features a single-player campaign, multiplayer action and fan-favorite round-based zombie mode.
Dropping on Friday, Oct. 25, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 comes out for PS5 and Xbox Series X. The game is available for pre-order right now for $69.99 at Target, Walmart and Amazon. In the meantime, watch the gameplay trailer, below.
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Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best over-ear headphones, wifi extenders, laptop deals and more.
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Source: Kristian Buus / Getty
It’s been four years since Killer Mike and El-P released any new work under their Run The Jewels team banner, and while Killer Mike has been enjoying a helluva run since then, he and El-P have once again connected on a new cut thanks to one of your favorite video game franchises.
This past Wednesday (Aug. 28), Killer Mike premiered his latest Run The Jewels cut, “Detonator” during his appearance on Activision’s Call of Duty NEXT livestream event. The song was created for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and of course, the joint went hard. Featuring an assist from Rock D The Legend on the hook, “Detonator” once again reminds us why Killer Mike and El-P make a formidable duo on a track as the two spit that Hip-Hop ish where bars based off of content and rhyme patterns are cleverly scripted.
While this will definitely lead to fans calling for a brand new Run The Jewels project, no one knows when or even if that’ll happen, but given the chemistry these two men have when they’re in the studio we know it’s only a matter of time before we’re blessed with some new work when they inevitably get back in the kitchen.
Check out Run The Jewels’ new cut “Detonator” below, and let us know if you’re feeling it in the comments section.
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Source: Activision / Sledgehammer Games / Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Activision is finally addressing the giant elephant in the room regarding Call of Duty: its massive download sizes.
Fans of Call of Duty looking forward to playing the next installment of the iconic first-person shooter must also figure out exactly how they will download the game on their consoles, as the game requires a massive amount of space during installs.
Hopefully, that will no longer be an issue or much easier to solve because Activision is making some changes ahead of the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, so COD games will no longer take up ridiculous amounts of space on your console’s hard drive.
The Verge reports that Activision will now separate Warzone from the default download for the annual titles. Players can expect that change to start on August 21 when Season 5 Reloaded arrives.
So, when you hit the download button, you can opt-in if you want Warzone to be a part of that download.
You will also have the option to download Warzone alone if that’s what you want. Other quality-of-life improvements are also coming with the arrival of Season 5 Reloaded.
Per The Verge:
With Season 5 Reloaded, Activision also says that it is going to rely more on texture streaming, and players will be able to pick between “optimized” (the default) or “minimal” streaming. In mid-October, Activision plans to introduce a new user interface for browsing your Call of Duty games, too.
You Will Be Required To Download A Big Update To Take Advantage of The Reduced Download Size & Other New Features
With that news, Activision admits you will have to download a big update that will be part of Season 5 Reloaded. The update will “reorganize game files and add new tech” to “prep the way for the full player interface.”
Once the update is done, Call of Duty players can expect the game’s footprint on their consoles to be reduced going forward.
With the new update, Activision says that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be a “smaller download at launch than Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.”
Hallelujah.
Activision has not shared the specific download size but states the numbers seen on preorder information do not reflect the “download size or disk footprint” for the game.
Some much-needed hard-drive relief.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will hold an upcoming open beta beginning August 30.
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Source: Activision / Activision
Bronny James may be in a self-admitted “slump” on the court at NBA Summer League, but his skills on the sticks are still sharp. Lebron James’ firstborn won the Call Of Duty Two Minute Drill, beating out some notable NBA gamers along the way.
Source: Activision / Activision
The Los Angeles Lakers draft pick won the Second Annual Call of Duty Two Minute Drill at the NBA Summer League by finessing a last-second 84-83 victory over Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams. Reportedly, Bronny was playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III he eeked out his win just before the 8pm tournament deadline, defeating Williams and Bobi Klintman of the Detroit Pistons. The latter came in third with 77 points.
With the W, Bronny earned a $10,000 prize and a custom-made Call of Duty Two Minute Drill at the NBA Summer League Championship Belt. Bronny fans shouldn’t be too surprised since he one graced the cover of Sports Illustrated for his e-sports talents as a member of Faze Clan back in 2021.
Held over this past weekend (the first weekend of the NBA Summer League), over 60 NBA players participated in the Call of Duty Two Minute Drill in a winner take all format. Players also got a chance to preview the forthcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Those NBA ballers and gamers included Paul George, now of the Philadelphia 76ers, Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Trey Murphy (Wahoowa!, #iykyk) of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Check out some photos from the event below.
Source: Activision / Activision
Source: Activision / Activision
Source: Activision / Activision
Source: Activision / Activision
Source: Activision / Activision
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Source: Activision / Activision
The new Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 was officially announced by Activision just after the Xbox Games Showcase on Sunday, June 9, and it’s going back to the 1990’s. While the nostalgia might be in effect right now, the game is dropping October 25.
Source: Activision / Activision
Developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 campaign is being touted as a “spy action thriller” and will be set during the Gulf War.
Per Activision:
In true Black Ops fashion, the fictional story builds on the history of the time, thrusting you into a strange and clandestine conspiracy where a shadowy force has infiltrated the U.S. government. Anyone who resists is branded as a traitor, forcing players to go rogue for the first time to fight the very machine that created them. Nothing is what it seems, and the truth may be hard to fathom, drawing you ever deeper into intrigue, distrust, and mind-bending psychological revelations. This is true, signature Black Ops style.
While we’re sure the campaign will be cool, those into COD strictly for the multiplayer action should be pleased. Some of the multiplayer content that will be available at launch includes 16 brand-new Multiplayer maps on and new “innovations” that include Omnimovement (which lets you sprint, slide and dive in any direction) and Intelligent Movement and larger enemy hit zones as well as new HUD optimizations and a plethora of new weapons and accessories. And for those that know, the return of Theater Mode and Classic Prestige.
You can check for more details about the multiplayer in the clip below via Black Ops 6 Direct.
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Watch the reveal trailer, featuring the OG President George Bush, President Bill Clinton, Saddam Hussein and more below. And yes, you can get your early access in order over at the Black Ops 6 pre-order editions and benefits blog.
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