14 DAY TRIAL // Video game publisher Activision is announcing that Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 has managed to uphold a series tradition by becoming the biggest entertainment launch of the year so far, having generated sales of more than 550 million dollars (480 million Euro) during its first three days of availability worldwide.
The company says that the video game has managed to perform better than any other movie, music or book launch of 2015 so far, and the title has also set a record by making the title with the deepest player engagement in the series.
The full Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 community played more than 75 million of hours online during the first three days, showing that the changes introduced by the development team at Treyarch have appeal to the fans.
Bobby Kotick, the chief executive officer of Activision Blizzard, is quoted on the company's site as saying, "Call of Duty's millions of passionate fans have shown us, yet again, the strength of their commitment to this enduring franchise. Call of Duty: Black Ops III is the biggest entertainment launch this year in any medium, and bigger than any theatrical opening weekend ever."
Eric Hirshberg, who coordinated the launch, adds that the title represents a passion for its players and that it is actively gaining momentum year after year.
Sony also says that Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 managed to set a record on the PlayStation 4 as the best-selling digital full game for its first day on the market.
The shooter also dominated streaming on Twitch and performed well for retailer Gamestop.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 will continue to sell well thanks to its multiplayer focus
The new installment in the long-running series is the first one that has benefited from a three-year development process, and the results seem to be very positive for the franchise.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 offers players a classic single-player campaign that takes place in 2065 and includes a new movement system and more combat options, as well as a full cooperative Shadows of Evil zombie based campaign.
But the future of the title, including a chance to generate big sales for the next six months, is linked to the multiplayer modes.
Treyarch has introduced Specialists for the first time, offering gamers pre-determined characters with special powers and weapons to take into battle.
The tweaked movement system also makes combat on all maps more interesting from a tactical point of view.
Activision and Treyarch are working on downloadable content packs for Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, which will start arriving in 2016.
For the first time in recent history, gamers who own a PlayStation 4 will get access to all the new content, including maps, will be offered one month early on the Sony platform, which will also be used for eSports.
Treyarch is also promising that content updates will be used to improve overall balance for multiplayer and to make sure that all glitches are fixed as quickly as possible after the community reports them.