Death, taxes, and change. These are the three constants in life. In the video game industry, a fourth constant exists in Call of Duty topping the annual sales charts. While many games compete to put up humongous sales numbers every year, Activision Blizzard appears to have figured out how to sell more than every other game every year despite controversies and criticism. But, it appears that Call of Duty's years-long streak is about to end.
According to the sales figures from Circana (formerly NPD Group), Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, this year's much-maligned entry, is the second-best selling game of the year, surpassed only by Hogwarts Legacy.
This is a particularly noteworthy achievement given the mixed critical reception and challenges faced by the latest Call of Duty entry, which recently saw it become butt of the internet's jokes following Christopher Judge's remarks at this year's The Game Awards.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III launched amid a cloud of skepticism, with many critics and players expressing obvious dissatisfaction over its short campaign and perceived lack of innovation. The shooter's Metacritic score reflected these sentiments, marking one of the lowest in the series. However, despite these challenges, the game's sales performance has been remarkably robust, showcasing the enduring strength and appeal of the Call of Duty brand.