Connect with us

News

The Return of Call of Duty and Its Market Challenges

This year’s edition of the highly popular series is set to encounter fresh competition from Battlefield 6.

The release of a new Call of Duty game has become an annual tradition, with the series consistently delivering new installments.

Screenshot shows a photo-realistic rendering of Kiernan Shipka's character, dimly lit, with a stern expression on her face. She wears a high-necked jacket and an earpiece with a microphone stretching towards her mouth.
Actress Kiernan Shipka takes a central role in Black Ops 7's campaign

As a household name in the gaming industry, the Call of Duty franchise requires minimal introduction, given its widespread recognition.

With estimated sales of 500 million copies, an upcoming movie adaptation, and a history of topping annual bestseller charts since its launch in 2003, publisher Activision can attest to the series' enduring popularity.

However, this year's release may face significant competition from other top-tier games.

Electronic Arts' Battlefield 6 has garnered substantial attention, potentially drawing focus away from Call of Duty.

Long-time fans of the series have expressed concerns that Call of Duty may be straying from its roots, prompting the developers to address these worries.

The timing of the new Call of Duty release coincides with the developers' efforts to respond to fan concerns about the series' direction.

The game has long offered players the option to purchase customizable "operator skins" that alter their character's appearance.

These skins have been the subject of various brand collaborations, featuring designs inspired by celebrities such as Neymar Jr, NickMercs, and Nicki Minaj.

However, the introduction of skins based on the 90s cartoon characters Beavis and Butthead earlier this year sparked a negative reaction from fans.

Fans criticized the move, accusing the company of attempting to emulate Fortnite's approach to crossovers, which have included collaborations with Sabrina Carpenter and an AI-voiced Darth Vader in 2025.

Activision acknowledged the feedback, stating that they took the concerns about the series losing its identity seriously.

The release of the new game also follows Microsoft's decision to increase the price of its Game Pass subscription service by 20%, a move that has angered many players.

In a conversation with BBC News, lead producer Natalie Pohorski and senior comms director Stephanie Snowdon highlighted the single-player story campaign in Black Ops 7.

Screenshot shows a squad of four soldiers in a small boat approaching a large yacht. In the background, the nighttime skyline of a city lined by skyscrapers is visible.
Black Ops games thrust players into a world of espionage and conspiracy

The narrative mode in Battlefield 6 received underwhelming reviews, whereas Call of Duty is known for crafting explosive set pieces in its story campaigns.

The Black Ops series typically features Hollywood-style stories of secret agents uncovering large-scale conspiracies.

Black Ops 7 is a direct sequel to 2012's Black Ops 2, set in 2035, and revolves around a global terrorist threat and a mysterious tech company.

Natalie notes that the "Black Ops identity" allows developers to explore themes that other games cannot.

"There are many interesting and timeless ideas to explore, with endless possibilities," she says.

"We also ask questions that transcend time, such as questions of trust and perception."

As a major player in the gaming industry, Activision has the ability to attract high-profile talent to its Call of Duty projects.

A screenshot shows a realistic rendering of actor Milo Ventimiglia's character wearing an elaborate military uniform and body armour. He's looking up, his face illuminated by the glow of a screen, as his squadmates look on in the background.
Milo Ventimiglia takes over the role of hero David Mason

For Black Ops 7, this includes Kiernan Shipka, known for her role in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and Milo Ventimiglia, star of This Is Us.

Kiernan is aware of the significant following and expectations surrounding Call of Duty.

She expressed enthusiasm about being involved in the project, stating that it was "more exciting than anything."

"I love being part of a fandom," she says.

"When something garners such passion from fans over time, it's a testament to its appeal."

"The reaction to our work will be what it will be."

"I try not to let external expectations influence my approach."

As a former Call of Duty player, Milo is also aware of the standards that fans have for the series.

"I hope I can meet those expectations," he says.

When asked about potential fatigue among players due to the annual releases, Milo believes that Black Ops 7 will exceed expectations.

"This installment surpasses the others in terms of storytelling and direction," he says.

While the single-player campaigns are a significant aspect of Call of Duty, the series' long-term success can be attributed to the popularity of its multiplayer modes.

The performance of Black Ops 7 will ultimately be judged on the success of its multiplayer component.

When asked if the impressive player numbers of Battlefield influence their development approach, Natalie and Stephanie emphasized their focus on creating the best possible game.

Regarding what sets Call of Duty apart from Battlefield, Stephanie highlighted the "variety and volume" of experiences offered by the series.

"More broadly, games serve as a way for people to connect and have fun," she says.

"Games have facilitated meaningful relationships in my life, and I hope they continue to do so for others."

"I envision a future where more people come together to play games, fostering connections and relationships."

Tune in to Newsbeat at 12:45 and 17:45 on weekdays, or listen to previous episodes.

A footer logo for BBC Newsbeat. It has the BBC logo and the word Newsbeat in white over a colorful background of violet, purple and orange shapes. At the bottom a black square reading "Listen on Sounds" is visible.

News

UAE Defeats Canada to Enhance Super 8s Qualification Chances

The United Arab Emirates boosted their slim chances of advancing to the T20 World Cup Super 8s, securing a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada, thanks in part to Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74.

In a crucial match for the United Arab Emirates, Aryansh Sharma achieved his fifth T20 international half-century, contributing to the team's victory over Canada.

The Men's T20 World Cup, being held in Group D in Delhi, saw an intense competition between the two teams.

Canada's innings resulted in a total of 150-7 after 20 overs, with Harsh Thaker scoring 50 runs off 41 balls, while Junaid Siddique took 5 wickets for 35 runs.

The UAE team responded with a total of 154 runs in 19.4 overs, led by Aryansh Sharma's unbeaten 74 runs off 53 balls and Sohaib Khan's 51 runs off 29 balls, despite Bin Zafar taking 3 wickets for 14 runs.

The United Arab Emirates secured a five-wicket win over Canada, boosting their chances in the tournament.

Aryansh Sharma played a pivotal role in the UAE's win, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs to help his team overcome Canada's total.

With four overs remaining, Canada seemed poised to defend their total, but Sohaib Khan's aggressive batting reignited the UAE's chase, as he scored 17 runs off Dillon Heyliger's bowling.

In the final over, the UAE required eight runs to win, and Aryansh Sharma eased the pressure by hitting a six off Jaskaran Singh's first ball.

Sohaib Khan was dismissed after scoring a rapid 51 runs off 29 balls, including four sixes, leaving the scores level.

Muhammad Arfan then sealed the victory with two balls to spare, hitting a four off Jaskaran Singh, as Aryansh Sharma top-scored with 74 runs off 53 balls.

The UAE now stands third in Group D with two points, but they face an uphill task in their upcoming matches against full members South Africa and Afghanistan to advance to the next phase.

Although the UAE has never beaten a full member in any World Cup format, their performance in this match has given them some confidence.

Earlier in the match, Junaid Siddique achieved the best bowling figures by a UAE player in a T20 World Cup, taking 5 wickets for 35 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Harsh Thaker's 41-ball half-century, which included three sixes and two fours, provided a solid foundation for Canada's total.

Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal shared a 58-run partnership to help Canada recover from a difficult start, before Dhaliwal was run out for 34 runs.

After Thaker fell victim to Junaid Siddique's slower ball, Canada struggled to find boundaries against the UAE's tight bowling.

Shreyas Movva made a useful contribution of 21 runs off 21 balls, but Junaid Siddique took two wickets in the final over to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals.

In a separate match, Zimbabwe's Brilliant Muzarabani played a key role in his team's stunning win over Australia.

For more updates, notifications, and social media coverage, visit the BBC Sport website.

In another development, Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup due to injury.

Continue Reading

News

GB’s Bankes knocked out in snowboard cross quarterfinals

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.

For more Winter Olympics coverage, videos are available to stream.

Access to Winter Olympics video content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.

Continue Reading

News

Family of Murder Victim Expresses Frustration Over Delayed Trial Scheduling

A 21-year-old woman, Chloe Mitchell, lost her life in June 2023, and a man is set to stand trial, facing a murder charge.

The family of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman from Ballymena, is facing further uncertainty as they await the outcome of a trial for her alleged murderer, which may be impacted by an ongoing barristers' strike.

A close-up photo of Chloe Mitchell - a young woman with long, straight, fair hair -  smiling at the camera. She is wearing black-framed sunglasses with blue lenses on her head, which are partially visible.
Chloe Mitchell's remains were found eight days after she went missing in 2023

Chloe Mitchell's life was cut short in June 2023, when she was killed in an incident that has left her family and community in shock.

Brandon John Rainey, the man accused of her murder, is scheduled to stand trial on February 23, but the proceedings may be delayed due to the industrial action by defence barristers.

Following a recent court hearing to review trial arrangements, Nadine Mitchell, Chloe's sister, expressed her family's distress and frustration, telling BBC News NI that they are struggling to cope with the uncertainty.

Nadine Mitchell stated that her family has been left with no choice but to wait once again for a resolution, having already endured a prolonged period of anxiety and uncertainty.

The family's emotional turmoil is evident, with Nadine describing the experience as a prolonged period of distress, marked by sleepless nights and unbearable tension.

The Mitchell family is struggling to come to terms with their situation, which has left them feeling overwhelmed and distraught.

The current strike by defence barristers in Northern Ireland, which began last month, is a result of a long-standing dispute over legal aid fees, with barristers arguing that their fees have not kept pace with inflation.

The strike has brought almost all criminal trials in Northern Ireland to a standstill, with the exception of cases where the defendant does not require legal aid.

The Mitchell family has appealed for their case to be treated as an exception, allowing the trial to proceed as scheduled.

Chloe Mitchell, who was 21 at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing in early June 2023, prompting an extensive search operation.

Her remains were discovered about a week later, following a series of searches in the Ballymena area.

Brandon John Rainey was subsequently arrested and charged with Chloe's murder, which is alleged to have taken place between June 2 and June 5, 2023.

Rainey also faces a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a deceased body.

The dispute between barristers and the Department of Justice centres on the level of legal aid fees, which barristers claim have not increased since 2005.

A close-up of Brandon Rainey, a man with short, fair hair and stubble, looking at the camera.  He is sitting in a vehicle on a dark, wet night.
Brandon Rainey is accused of the murder of Chloe Mitchell

Barristers argue that the fees have not kept pace with inflation, resulting in a significant decrease in their real-terms value over the past 20 years.

The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has warned that the low fees have created a crisis in the justice system, with many younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases due to the low rates of pay.

The CBA has described the strike as a "last resort" in their dispute with the Department of Justice, which has been ongoing for some time.

Despite an announced 16% increase in fees, which is set to take effect in mid-January, the strike has continued, with barristers arguing that the increase does not go far enough to address their concerns.

Chloe's father, George Mitchell, has previously appealed for an exception to be made in their case, allowing the trial to proceed despite the strike.

George Mitchell has argued that any delay to the trial would cause further trauma and distress for the families of victims.

He had invited Justice Minister Naomi Long to meet with him and his wife, Georgina, to discuss the matter further.

However, Minister Long has stated that it is not feasible to allow individual cases to proceed while the dispute over legal aid fees remains unresolved, citing ethical and practical concerns.

The minister has reiterated that the decision to grant exceptions lies with the CBA, which must weigh the competing demands of their members and the needs of the justice system.

Continue Reading

Trending