Activision has a lot to brag about with Destiny the top-selling new IP of the year, Skylanders the top-selling kids game, and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare the top-selling game. But there is a factor that seems to be worrying the COD franchise. It seems that Call of Duty is hitting a downward trend, even though the latest game received a pretty warm reception.
According to analyst Michael Olson Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare has seen US retail sales decline 27% from Ghosts in 2013. Ghosts itself declined 19% from 2012′s Black Ops 2, which itself dropped 17% from 2011′s Modern Warfare 3.
“This is disappointing data following first week Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare sales showing a year-over-year increase,” Olson said. “NPD data does not include digital copies or international sales, which, if included, would lessen the year-over-year decline, but we believe this data suggests potential for Q4 revenue upside is now very low.”
Franchise fatigue is a real thing and it is clearly showing in most Call of Duty fans. But the good news for Activision is that the franchise is so big that its retails can be cut in half from three years ago, and it still is the biggest selling game of the year. Now that’s some crazy figures.
As of now these figures are quite irrelevant to the company and there is a chance that it might not be the case. But either way, even having the title of a “poor selling” game, Advanced Warfare is still the most bought game of the year, so I’m sure they aren’t too concerned with that.
