Activision’s surprise digital release of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 generated approximately $435 million in revenue during July 2026, according to data from Alinea Analytics. The re-releases, which launched without prior marketing on July 9, sold an estimated 11.2 million combined units, with the sequel reaching the top of the Circana charts as the best-selling game in the U.S. for that month.
Former Developer Seeks Retroactive Compensation for Legacy Titles
The performance of these titles has sparked debate regarding compensation for the original development teams. Gavin Goslin, a former Treyarch level designer who worked on both titles, stated on LinkedIn that the digital ports contain few, if any, new features and are essentially identical to the versions released over a decade ago.
Goslin argued that the financial success of these legacy titles warrants retroactive compensation for the original staff. "If the executives are getting huge bonuses from the longevity of these classics, that wealth needs to be shared retroactively," Goslin wrote. He noted that the original teams endured extensive "crunch" periods to complete the projects, yet those developers receive no portion of the revenue generated by these digital re-releases.
Activision Marketing Strategy
The unexpected demand for the Black Ops ports has influenced Activision’s broader release strategy. In an interview with The Game Business, Activision Chief Marketing Officer Tyler Bahl acknowledged that the company underestimated the market appetite for the re-releases.
"We definitely leaned into the nostalgia of playing with your friends," Bahl said. "We thought they would do well, but we didn’t think they would do this well." According to Bahl, the company is now using the momentum from these legacy titles to encourage players to transition toward newer entries in the franchise, specifically Modern Warfare 4.
Revenue Performance for July 2026
| Metric | Reported Value |
|---|---|
| Combined Units Sold | 11.2 Million |
| Total Revenue Generated | $435 Million |
| Circana Ranking | Top 10 Weekly Active Users |
PlayStation Ports Lack New Features as Sales Surprise Activision
Are there new features in the PlayStation ports of Black Ops and Black Ops 2?
No. According to Gavin Goslin, these releases are digital versions of the original code and do not include significant new features or technical updates.
How did the company respond to the sales figures?
Activision leadership expressed surprise at the high volume of sales. The company is now attempting to convert this nostalgic player base into consumers for newer releases, such as Modern Warfare 4.
What is the current status of royalty payments for the original developers?
As of now, there is no indication that Activision or Microsoft has implemented a retroactive royalty program for the developers who worked on the original 2010 and 2012 titles. The call for such compensation remains a point of contention raised by former staff members.
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