Call of Duty: Black Ops clears $1 billion in revenue

Call of Duty: Black Ops has become the fastest videogame to reach $1 billion in sales, breaking the landmark after just 44 days on sale. $650 million of that total was made in the game’s opening five days.

It’s a record that beats almost every movie out there, also. A press release from publisher Activision boasts that “only Call of Duty and Avatar” have made a billion bucks in such a small timeframe. Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg senses an opportunity to gloat:

“Call of Duty continues to rewrite not just the record books, but also the rules of interactive entertainment. Even more remarkable than the number of units sold is the number of hours people are playing the game together online which are unprecedented. Call of Duty is more than a game, it’s a true community.”

It’s a triumphant return for a franchise that lost its main developer last year, and the release of new downloadable maps in February is sure to keep the wheels moving.

[Via press release]