Activision explains they are well aware of the potential of Call of Duty series falling into the same decline and trap as the Guitar Hero series. At the same time, the studio has said they learned a lot from their mistakes with the GH series and spin-offs.
Activision feels the major difference involves the slower rise and growing fanbase in shooters compared to the sudden rush in populaity with the music genre with an unstable fanbase. They also realized unlike with Guitar Hero, CoD doesn't require $100+ instruments to be re-bought each game or need specific spin-offs to cater to the wide range of music fans.
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"If you really step back and dispassionately look at any measurement-sales, player engagement, hours of online play, performance of DLC-you can absolutely conclude that the potential for this franchise has never been greater," he said. "In order to achieve this potential, we need to focus: on making games that constantly raise the quality bar; on staying ahead of the innovation curve; on surrounding the brand with a suite of services and an online community that makes our fans never want to leave. Entertainment franchises with staying power are rare. But Call of Duty shows all of the signs of being able to be one of them. It's up to us."
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This year Battlefield 3 will be the strongest challenger to the CoD series since 2008/2009 when Halo 3 was fighting off Call of Duty for #1 shooter.
http://kotaku.com/#!5794058/activisi...tar-heros-fate
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Some rumored game release dates:
1) God of War 4 expected to arrive September 2012 the earliest for a release date.
2) Microsoft and Sony both rumored to release their next consoles for a late 2014 date but could go as early as 2013 depending on what Microsoft does and the success of Nintendo's next console.
3) Mario 3DS game expected to come out later this year due to Miyamoto putting it as their top project for the handheld's winter schedule.
4) Grand Theft Auto V expected to arrived Summer/Fall of 2012 and will also be on the new Nintendo console. Also rumored is an exclusive Rockstar and and Kojima game coming to the new console as well.
5) The Last Guardian, Ico HD remake, and Sly Copper HD collection have been delayed till a TBA 2012 date.