This November, Call of Duty: Black Ops will turn ten years old. After its introduction to the world, Black Ops quickly became one of the most popular entries in the series, launching a fan-favorite subseries that has received four numbered entries. To celebrate, Treyarch released an anniversary video honoring the game, specifically in regards to the story.
The video shows some of the greatest moments from Black Ops’ campaign, one of the best to ever have been featured in Call of Duty. Black Ops is set in the 1960s during the Cold War, with some of the most iconic characters in the franchise being featured, from the primary protagonist, Mason, to Victor Resnov, who also appeared in World at War.
Rumors of Call of Duty: Vietnam, which some think may be a Black Ops reboot similar to 2019’s Modern Warfare, have been circulating online, though that’s remained unconfirmed. It is, however, strange that almost nothing has been heard of the next game in the franchise. Modern Warfare was revealed in May last year after weeks of rumors and speculation. Even then, late May was cited as a frustratingly long wait for the new entry to be confirmed, with many reveals taking place earlier in the year in the past.
Fans don’t seem to be up in arms this time, likely due to the popularity of Modern Warfare, which has remained significant thanks to the addition of Warzone, the game’s battle royale mode. There are rumors that Call of Duty 2020 is in trouble, with some claiming development of the game has hit a few snags, but that — like the Call of Duty: Vietnam name — hasn’t been confirmed.
Even if that is the case, Activision confirmed a Call of Duty in 2020, so fans will be getting something at the end of the year, it just isn’t clear what. That may be a death sentence for the game, should it launch in a troubled state. Infinite Warfare, possibly the least popular entry in the franchise, only released in 2016, followed by the better-received WW2, and then Black Ops 4, which was criticized for returning to the futuristic setting so quickly. If the next entry is lackluster, Activision risks undoing much of the goodwill won back in with Modern Warfare.
Regardless, Black Ops has established a significant legacy, and the ten years since it released has been something of a roller coaster for the Call of Duty franchise. Maybe Treyarch will release a remaster at some point, which fans would be sure to enjoy.
Call of Duty: Black Ops released November 9, 2010.
