Call of Duty: Best-Selling Games, by unit sales
GameUnit sales,
in millions
Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)30.99
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)30.97
Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)29.59
Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)28.80
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)26.72
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)25.02
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)21.78
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)19.84
Call of Duty: WWII (2017)19.82
Call of Duty: World at War (2008)17.66
  • Region: Worldwide
  • Time period: as of Oct 2019
  • Published: Oct 2019

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 27, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Top Selling Call of Duty Games

Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) leads with 30.99 million units, closely followed by Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011) with 30.97 million units, demonstrating the franchise's peak popularity during the early 2010s.

Sales Decline Over Time

Comparing the earliest and latest games in the dataset shows a gradual decline in sales, from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) with 19.84 million units to Call of Duty: WWII (2017) with 19.82 million units, indicating a saturation or shift in player interests over a decade.

Impact of Sequels

Sequels tend to perform well, with Black Ops and its sequels (II and 3) collectively selling over 87.3 million units, showcasing the strength of recurring sub-franchises within the overall brand.

Modern Warfare Series Performance

The Modern Warfare series, including the original game, Modern Warfare 2, and Modern Warfare 3, sold a combined total of over 75.83 million units, highlighting the significant impact of this storyline on the franchise's success.

Comparison of Mid-Series Releases

Mid-series releases like Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013) and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014) show respectable sales with 28.80 million and 21.78 million units respectively, but they did not reach the heights of their predecessors, indicating a challenge in maintaining peak interest.

Performance of Earlier Titles

Earlier titles in the series, such as Call of Duty: World at War (2008) and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) , maintain strong sales figures with 17.66 million and 19.84 million units, respectively, underscoring the enduring appeal of the franchise's roots.

Later Entries' Sales

Later entries, including Call of Duty: WWII (2017) with 19.82 million units, struggle to surpass the 20-million mark, suggesting a plateau in growth and the challenge of innovating within a long-standing series.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the top selling Call of Duty game?

The top selling Call of Duty game is Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) with 30.99 million units sold.

Has there been a decline in Call of Duty sales over time?

Yes, there has been a gradual decline in sales over time, with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) selling 19.84 million units, compared to Call of Duty: WWII (2017) which sold 19.82 million units.

How well did the Black Ops sequels perform?

The Black Ops sequels performed well with the series collectively selling over 87.3 million units.

What was the sales performance of the Modern Warfare series?

The Modern Warfare series sold a combined total of over 75.83 million units.

Terms and Definitions

Call of Duty (CoD) is a popular first-person shooter video game franchise. The series began on PC, and later expanded to consoles and handhelds. Several spin-off games have also been released. The series' games have been set in various settings, ranging from World War II to futuristic and outer space environments.

First-Person Shooter is a genre of video game in which the gameplay involves shooting enemies and other targets, with the player viewing the game from the perspective of the protagonist. This perspective gives the player the impression of 'being there' in a realistic combat zone.

In the video gaming industry, a franchise refers to a series of games related by title, game universe or similar gameplay mechanics. These games are often developed and published by the same company.

Unit sales, in the context of video games, refer to the total number of individual copies or units of a particular game that have been sold. This can include both physical copies of the game and digital downloads.

A console is a specialized computer system designed for gaming. These include systems like the PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Console games are often differentiated from PC (personal computer) games due to their specific hardware and controls.

Handheld, in the context of video gaming, refers to portable gaming systems that can be carried and used to play games anywhere. Examples include the Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable.

Spin-off games are titles that derive from a main series but deviate in gameplay style, story, or theme. These games typically share a common universe or characters with the original series but vary in other aspects. They are often used to explore different genres or game concepts.
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