How Many Copies Did Call of Duty: Black Ops II Sell? A Deep Dive
Call of Duty: Black Ops II sold an impressive 29 million copies worldwide, solidifying its place as one of the most commercially successful entries in the long-running Call of Duty franchise. This figure underscores the game’s immense popularity and impact within the gaming community. Its blend of engaging gameplay, a captivating story, and the popular Zombies mode made it a hit with both critics and players alike. While not the absolute best-selling title in the series, its sales numbers are a testament to its quality and lasting appeal.
The Black Ops II Phenomenon
The success of Black Ops II wasn’t just about sales numbers; it was a cultural moment in gaming. Released in 2012, it built upon the solid foundation laid by its predecessor, Call of Duty: Black Ops. The game offered a futuristic twist to the series, introducing robotic weaponry, cyber warfare, and unmanned vehicles. This change of pace, while retaining the core gameplay mechanics that fans loved, contributed to its massive appeal.
Why Did Black Ops II Sell So Well?
Several factors contributed to the game’s impressive sales performance:
- Compelling Story: The game features a narrative that spans different time periods, connecting the Cold War era with a futuristic 2025 setting. The storyline, memorable characters like Raul Menendez, and branching paths gave the campaign a replayability factor that was rare for the time.
- Popular Zombies Mode: The ever-popular Zombies mode returned with new maps, characters, and mechanics. It continues to be a major draw for the series, and Black Ops II’s take on it was especially praised.
- Balanced Multiplayer: The multiplayer platform was lauded for its balance and variety. It provided a mix of maps that catered to different playstyles and a suite of weapons and equipment that allowed for diverse loadouts.
- Massive Marketing Campaign: Activision backed the game with a substantial marketing campaign, ensuring it received widespread attention and generating significant pre-release buzz.
- Strong Brand Recognition: By 2012, the Call of Duty franchise had already established itself as a behemoth in the gaming industry, making any new release a highly anticipated event.
Black Ops II’s Commercial Success
Beyond its 29 million unit sales, Black Ops II achieved significant revenue milestones. Within 24 hours of its release, the game grossed over $500 million. This initial success paved the way for the game to generate an estimated $2.75 billion in revenue over its lifespan, further cementing its place as one of the most successful video games ever created.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which Call of Duty game has sold the most copies?
The best-selling game in the Call of Duty franchise is Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010), which sold approximately 31 million copies. While Black Ops II comes in close with 29 million, it is still shy of the original’s record.
2. How does Black Ops II’s sales compare to other Black Ops titles?
While Black Ops (2010) is the top seller in the Black Ops series, Black Ops III sold 26 million copies. Despite being overshadowed by the original Black Ops’ sales, Black Ops II outsold Black Ops III.
3. Is Black Ops II still considered canon in the Call of Duty universe?
Yes, Black Ops II remains a part of the overall storyline and is considered canon within the Black Ops universe. Black Ops Cold War serves as a direct continuation of the original Black Ops, but Black Ops II’s events are still considered part of the timeline.
4. Why is Black Ops II still so expensive even today?
The price of Black Ops II remains relatively high due to Activision’s pricing strategy. They often maintain higher prices to offer large discounts during sales, creating the perception of a better deal. This is a common practice with older but popular titles.
5. What made the Zombies mode in Black Ops II so popular?
Black Ops II’s Zombies mode is highly regarded due to its expansive maps, intricate storylines, unique characters, and introduction of new mechanics like buildable traps and Perk-a-Colas. The diverse gameplay experience and continued support kept players engaged.
6. Was Black Ops II well-received by critics?
Yes, Black Ops II received mostly positive reviews from critics. Praised for its gameplay, story, multiplayer, and Zombies mode, with the exception of mixed reception for its Strike Force missions, the game was considered a high point in the series.
7. What was the main setting of Black Ops II?
The game features a dual setting, with portions set in the 1980s Cold War era and the majority taking place in 2025, depicting a future Cold War scenario.
8. Is Black Ops II playable on current-generation consoles?
Black Ops II is available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. It is not natively available on newer consoles like PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S, but may be playable on them via backward compatibility where available.
9. What is the difference between Black Ops III and Black Ops II?
Black Ops III is considered a “re-skin” of Black Ops II in terms of multiplayer with few differences, and some feel that the campaign of Black Ops II was superior. Black Ops III did have a more advanced movement system compared to Black Ops II.
10. What was the campaign like in Black Ops II?
The campaign of Black Ops II is known for its compelling narrative, branching storylines, and engaging gameplay. It features a strong villain in Raul Menendez, and the dual timelines provided a unique experience.
11. How does Black Ops II compare to Modern Warfare 2 in sales numbers?
Modern Warfare 2, upon its release in 2022, became the fastest-selling entry in the series. While it has sold a lot of units, Black Ops (2010) remains the highest-selling Call of Duty game.
12. Is Black Ops II capped at 60 fps on PC?
On PC, Black Ops II allows players to adjust the framerate with presets including 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 FPS, or an unlimited setting that removes the cap.
13. Is Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 a good game for beginners to get into?
While the game is older, Black Ops II has a reputation for being a well-balanced and fun game. For beginners, the learning curve is manageable, and there are still active communities that play it. However, newcomers might find it difficult to compete against seasoned players.
14. What was the most criticised feature of Black Ops 2?
The Strike Force missions within the campaign were the most criticised aspect of Black Ops II, with their mixed reception.
15. How does Black Ops 2’s sales compare to other top selling video games?
While Black Ops II is a top selling title in the Call of Duty franchise, games like Minecraft (300+ million sales) and Grand Theft Auto V (100+ million sales) have significantly outsold Black Ops II. However, its 29 million copies still makes it a commercially successful game.
In conclusion, Call of Duty: Black Ops II’s sales of 29 million copies reflect the game’s impact and lasting popularity within the gaming community, a success story of a game that successfully mixed gameplay with an engaging storyline. While other titles in the franchise and the wider video game world have surpassed it in sales, its influence and legacy are undeniable.