Call of Duty dominates first-person shooter game sales in America

Call of Duty franchise in the US digital entertainment industry. According to figures shared by Matt Piscatella, a renowned analyst at Circana (formerly NPD Group), the series has achieved an unprecedented feat that no other shooter game has been able to surpass in nearly two decades.

Time-defying records

Data indicates that since the release of Call of Duty 3 in 2006, no other shooter game has managed to surpass the series' annual sales in the US market. This means the series has maintained its position as the best-selling shooter for 17 consecutive years, a figure that reflects a rare level of fan loyalty in a rapidly changing and fiercely competitive industry.

The three exceptions: Giants halted the advance

Despite this dominance, annual overall sales lists (not just shooting) have seen only three historic exceptions that managed to dethrone Call of Duty from the top spot in total US market sales, games that are cultural phenomena in their own right:

• Grand Theft Auto V (2013): Rockstar's masterpiece that broke all records upon its release and is considered one of the most profitable entertainment products in history.
• Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018): An epic American Western that delivered a narrative and technical experience ahead of its time.
• Hogwarts Legacy (2023): The game that capitalized on the global passion for the world of Harry Potter to achieve phenomenal sales last year.

The context of dominance and its impact on industry

The significance of this news lies in highlighting the immense commercial power of Activision (now owned by Microsoft). The series' success isn't limited to its annual paid releases; it was further bolstered by the launch of the free-to-play "Warzone" mode, which significantly expanded its player base. This continued success puts tremendous pressure on competitors in the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, making it extremely difficult for any new title, regardless of its budget, to dethrone Call of Duty.

The future of competition

As the series continues to maintain its momentum, the question remains in technical circles and among gamers: Will this year or the coming years witness a change in the equation? Attention is currently focused on traditional competitors such as the Battlefield in its future releases, and whether it will offer a revolutionary experience sufficient to break this long monopoly of the American market, or whether Call of Duty will continue to make history with new record numbers.