What Country Owns Cod? Unraveling the Complex World of “COD”
The term “COD” can be confusing as it refers to both the popular Call of Duty video game franchise and the Atlantic cod fish. This article dives into both aspects, exploring ownership and origins to provide clarity.
First, addressing the game: Call of Duty is primarily owned and published by Activision, an American video game company. The games are developed by several studios, including Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer Games, all operating under the Activision umbrella. While some aspects of the game’s development might involve collaborations with other companies and studios, the overarching ownership and control rest with Activision.
Second, let’s address the fish: The Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is not “owned” by any one country in the sense of property ownership. Instead, its populations are distributed across the North Atlantic Ocean, spanning the waters of many nations. Countries have fishing rights within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), but the cod itself is a migratory species moving through these waters. Major cod fishing and exporting countries include Norway, Russia, the United States, and others. The fish’s migratory patterns also reach the waters of Greenland, Iceland, and even as far south as the coast of North Carolina in the USA. Therefore, no one country can claim ownership of the cod, but they have the right to harvest it within their designated fishing areas.
The Confusing Connection: Call of Duty & Its Origins
Activision’s Central Role
Activision, based in Santa Monica, California, is the ultimate owner and publisher of the Call of Duty franchise. This is an important point when discussing the game’s origin and control. While studios like Infinity Ward initially created the games using settings and perspectives from different countries such as the US, UK, and Soviet Union, the final product and its publication is through Activision, an American entity.
Global Development
The development of COD isn’t always a singular process. For instance, while Tencent, a Chinese holding company, holds a small stake (approximately 5%) in Activision Blizzard (Activision’s parent company), the game itself is not developed by Tencent. COD Mobile, while developed by TiMi Studios, a subsidiary of Tencent, is published by Activision and Garena (based in Singapore) outside of China. Moreover, Call of Duty Online was developed by Activision Shanghai and Raven Software. This highlights a complex picture of global collaborations for different versions and aspects of the game.
No One Country “Owns” the Games
It’s clear that while various development studios and regions contribute to Call of Duty, its ownership is tied to Activision, an American corporation. This distinction is crucial, since the franchise draws inspirations from various world events and cultures, it cannot be considered as owned or controlled by any of these countries, with the exception of the publishing American company, Activision.
The Cod Fish: Distribution, Fishing, and Sustainability
Geography and Migration
The Atlantic cod’s habitat stretches across the North Atlantic, from Greenland to North Carolina. In the Pacific, Pacific cod populations extend from California to the waters off Japan and Russia. These migratory patterns cross through various international waters and EEZs. Therefore, no single nation owns cod; rather, fishing rights are divided by international agreements and domestic regulations.
Key Fishing Nations
Norway and Russia are leading exporters of frozen cod. The United States also holds significant fishing rights in the North Atlantic and Pacific. Other nations, like Portugal, are major consumers of cod, though they import it rather than harvesting it locally.
Sustainability Challenges
Overfishing and environmental issues have impacted cod populations dramatically, especially in the North Atlantic. Sustainable practices and careful management are vital to ensure the longevity of the species. International cooperation is essential for the effective management of cod stocks since their migratory patterns cross international borders. Cod rated ‘Avoid’ by Seafood Watch is deemed not environmentally sustainable due to overexploitation, bycatch, or poor management practices.
15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About “COD”
1. Is Call of Duty a Chinese game?
No, Call of Duty is not a Chinese game. It is developed by various studios but published by Activision, an American company. Call of Duty Mobile is developed by a Chinese studio, but published by the American company, Activision, and also by Garena, a Singaporean company.
2. Who owns Call of Duty Mobile?
COD Mobile is developed by TiMi Studios, a subsidiary of Tencent, but it is published by Activision and Garena outside of China.
3. Is Activision an American company?
Yes, Activision Publishing, Inc. is an American video game publisher based in Santa Monica, California.
4. What is COD Mobile’s Chinese name?
Call of Duty Online is known as 使 命 召 唤 Online (Shǐmìng zhàohuàn Online) in Chinese.
5. Who developed Call of Duty: Warzone?
Call of Duty: Warzone was developed by Raven Software and Infinity Ward, and published by Activision.
6. Does Activision own all COD games?
Yes, Activision Publishing, Inc., owns and publishes the entire Call of Duty series.
7. Where is cod most popular?
The US has the largest player base for Call of Duty, while Portugal is the world’s biggest consumer of cod fish.
8. Where does the US get its cod fish from?
The US gets cod from the Northwest Atlantic, especially Georges Bank and the western Gulf of Maine. It also imports cod from nations like Russia and Norway.
9. Is cod from Japan?
Pacific cod is found in waters off Japan, Korea, and China, but it also extends to Russia, Alaska, and the coast of California.
10. What is ‘cod’ in USA regarding business?
In the business context, ‘COD’ in the USA stands for Cash on Delivery.
11. Which country exports the most cod?
In 2021, Russia and Norway were the largest exporters of frozen cod, followed by South Korea, the US and the Netherlands.
12. Why is cod not always sustainable?
Cod is sometimes not sustainable due to overfishing, poor fishery management, and the bycatch of other marine life.
13. Is cod an expensive fish?
Cod is generally a budget-friendly fish, often costing less than other options like black cod.
14. What country has the best cod fish?
Norwegian Atlantic cod, also called “skrei,” is considered to have a particularly high quality due to its firm texture and superior taste, resulting from its long migratory journey.
15. Which Call of Duty game sold the most copies?
Call of Duty: Black Ops is the best-selling game in the franchise, with 31 million copies sold.
This detailed analysis clarifies the ownership of “COD” in both its gaming and fish contexts. The video game series, while internationally influenced, is clearly controlled and owned by Activision, an American entity. The fish, on the other hand, is a shared resource, spanning the waters of multiple nations. This complex picture illustrates the importance of understanding not only who controls a product but also its origins and impact on the world.