Call of Duty: Black Ops II became the fastest selling computer game of all time – shifting an estimated EIGHT MILLION copies in its first day.
The popular game went on sale at midnight in countries around the world – with 16,000 stores staying open all night.
Experts say it sold eight million copies in 24 hours – making it the fastest selling computer game in history.
Determined student Taylor Pelling, 19, was the first person in Britain to buy the game after sleeping in a tent for a week outside HMV Oxford Street in London.
He said: “I’ve attended a few midnight launches, but I have never been first in line. This time I was determined. I love Call of Duty.
“The launch was as spectacular as I’d hoped – it really made the long wait worth the effort.”
The game was developed by Treyarch and published by technology giants Activision, famed for the Guitar Hero franchise.
The action-packed shooting game, available on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, takes the player on a fictional Cold War scenario.
The game was developed by Treyarch and published by technology giants Activision, famed for the Guitar Hero franchise.
Head of Activision, Eric Hirshberg, said: “From the very beginning, our goal with Call of Duty: Black Ops II was to deliver a new high watermark for the franchise.
“And thanks to the hard work and creative brilliance of our team at Treyarch, I think that’s exactly what we’ve done.
“In addition to an amazing and innovative game, we’re also proud and humbled to see the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops II creating yet another legitimate, pop cultural phenomenon.
“To our millions of fans worldwide, who have driven everything from pre-orders to YouTube views, to midnight lines outside of stores worldwide to new levels, we just want to say, thank you.
“You are the best fan base in the world, and the unprecedented thrill ride that is Call of Duty: Black Ops II is all for you.”
The action-packed shooting game, available on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, takes the player on an adrenaline-fuelled romp through a fictional Cold War scenario.
Also, the game includes a survival mode against hordes of zombies, as well as a new, revamped version of the much-lauded online multiplayer game.
Millions of people have already logged-on and are shooting each other on a whole host of new and classic maps.
HMV opened over 185 shops around the UK to welcome in the crowds.
Taylor, a student from Twickenham, said: “The launch was as spectacular as I’d hoped – it really made the long wait worth the effort.
“I was well looked after when I was queuing and I also got some great swag from the likes of Xbox 360, who gave me a hardened edition of the Call of Duty Black Ops and console, Turtle Beach and Sony – who kindly donated a PSVita.
“So it was more than worth it.”
Activision are yet to release final official sales figures.
