Dropped a bomb on me

12 November 2010 By Robert Cyran Follow @rob_cyran

The $360 mln debut for the game s Black Ops sequel set a record. Producer Activision may deserve a medal. But the industry fallout is deadly. Development costs are skyrocketing as packaged game sales shrink. It s ever more about producing blockbusters and taking bigger risks.

This content is for Subscribers only

Context News

Activision Blizzard sold about 5.6 million copies of Call of Duty: Black Ops" for $360 million on Nov. 10, setting a new video game industry record. Last year, the company sold 4.7 million units of "Modern Warfare 2" on the day it was introduced.

Separately, Viacom plans to sell Harmonix, its video game unit which developed the game "Rock Band." The company took a $260 million goodwill write down on the division in its most recent quarter. Viacom said it lacked the expertise and scale needed for success in the industry. It paid $325 million in total for Harmonix.

Email a friend

Please complete the form below.

Required fields *