Will gamers again heed the 'Call of Duty'?
Editor's note: Scott Steinberg is the head of technology and video game consulting firm TechSavvy Global, as well as the founder of GameExec magazine and Game Industry TV. The creator and host of online video series Game Theory, he frequently appears as an on-air technology analyst for ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and CNN. Shox R4 Women Shox R5 (CNN) -- War's specter once again looms large over the gaming world, as "Call of Duty: Black Ops," the spiritual sequel to last year's smash hit "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2," goes on sale Monday at midnight. Shox R3 Women Shox R4 The first-person shooter game -- available for PC, PS3, Xbox 360, DS and Wii -- has a hard act to follow. "Modern Warfare 2" sold a staggering 4.7 million copies on day one and eventually became the second-best-selling video game of all time in the United States. Industry observers say "Black Ops," the seventh installment in the "Call of Duty" series, has all the makings of another blockbuster -- witness the new TV ads with Kobe Bryant and Jimmy Kimmel -- although the buzz is less deafening this time around. "We've seen a tremendous amount of interest for 'Black Ops' in our preview coverage," said Peer Schneider, publisher of IGN, a gaming and entertainment site. "It's consistently tracked as one of the most popular games on IGN for the past six months -- often ahead of top performers like 'Halo: Reach.' We're sure it will be one of the top sellers of the year, but it also faces a more competitive field than its predecessor." Ironically, the greatest threat to the video game franchise's worldwide conquest may be its own success, which will be difficult to match. "Modern Warfare 2" was praised for its lifelike visuals, Hollywood-grade set pieces and expansive multiplayer mode. Air Yeezy Ato Matsumoto That game received review scores that still average an impressive 94 percent, according to online aggregator Metacritic.com. air max 95 air max penny " 'Call of Duty' titles have high production values and give players an experience similar to an exciting action movie, whether it was set in World War II or more recent times," said Mike Snider, a contributor to USA Today's GameHunters blog. "Plus the games have extensive features for online and offline multiplayer gaming. After players blast through the story mode -- usually six to 10 hours depending on the skill of the player -- they can battle online for months, even years with that same game," he said. "So 'Call of Duty' isn't just a game that you play for a few hours and put on the shelf. For dedicated players, it's like a full-time hobby."air max 2009 air max 90