Activision announced today that Call of Duty: WWII generated over $500 million in worldwide sales in its first three days of release (or “opening weekend,” as the publisher puts it). This first-person shooter came out for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on November 3. This opening is twice as good as last year’s Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, according to Activision.
Most studios will tout specific sales numbers, but Activision likes to talk about opening weekends because it lets them compare their launches to Hollywood movies. In a press release sent to GamesBeat, Activision notes that this opening tops the starting weekends for Thor: Ragnarok and Wonder Woman combined. That’s not really an easy comparison to make, as blockbuster movies have more scattered releases around the world. But it still shows just how much money WWII is bringing in.
WWII also set a PlayStation 4 record for first day digital sales for a full game.
Some Call of Duty fans had been clamoring for a return to the franchise’s World War II roots. Last year’s Infinite War still sold well, but many players complained of fatigue. It was another Call of Duty entry that leaned into a sci-fi setting, similar to Advanced Warfare and Black Ops III. Going back to World War II has given Activision a chance to freshen up the franchise.
Our review of Call of Duty: WW2 praised the game for its intense battles and heroic characters.