Photo : Hannah Madison
Bobby Kotick’s Activision games top our list of the year’s best after two Call of Duty games earn The Game Awards 2021 nominations.
When nominees were announced for The Game Awards 2021, Bobby Kotick’s Activision had double the reasons to celebrate this year. Activision’s two nominations at the Game Awards are for Best Ongoing game for Call of Duty: Warzone and Best Esports Game for Call of Duty as a whole.
It’s true that gamers of all ages are still gaga for the first-person shooter franchise Call of Duty, which Activision first published in 2003. In the last 18-plus years, more than 400 million copies of Call of Duty have been sold worldwide. That is reason enough for it to still top our list of the best games of the year.
Blizzard Activision’s CEO Bobby Kotick credits smartphones with changing how people consume video games. He shared that Activision Blizzard now has over 400 million players in over 190 countries. “The thing that’s now proven to be the most durable part of our business, and the thing that I think gives purpose and meaning to the people who come to work to make games, is that we have this ability to connect 400 million people around the world,” he says. “And that social connection really adds a different dimension to games than what was the case 30 years ago.”
Here’s a look at the 10 most popular games of 2021.
1. Call of Duty: Warzone
The 16th overall in the Blizzard Entertainment, owned by Activision game series. Call of Duty: Warzone’s storyline involves a CIA officer who teams up with British forces to save the fictional Urzikstan from enemy invasion. The first-person shooter game is available for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.
2. Borderlands 3
Borderlands 3 is actually the fourth game in the Borderlands series. Our game testers are hooked on the graphics and unsettling storyline of the game, which was released in September 2019 by 2K Games publisher. “As far as first-person shooter games go, Borderlands 3 is as fun as they come,” enthuses a gamer.
3. Madden NFL 20
The 20th installment of the iconic football game, named after Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and commentator John Madden, scored a touchdown with our gamer judges. “I will never get tired of playing a Madden football game,” says one gamer. “The graphics on this one are top-notch. And the action on the field is more intense and realistic than ever.” Madden NFL 20 is the football simulation game that has been turning couch potatoes into quarterbacks since 1993. It’s the only video game series officially licensed by the National Football League.
4. Fortnite
Since its release in 2017, Fortnite has been one of the most popular choices for gamers – it even won the 2019 Webby Award for Best Multiplayer/Competitive Game. Parents should be warned that it is an active-shooter game. “Fortnite remains super popular because it has three different play modes – Battle Royale, Creative and Save the World – which makes it completely customizable,” explains a gamer.
5. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
Bobby Kotick’s Activision released Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time in March 2021. Since then, gamers of all ages have been on a mission to stop the mischievous villains Dr. N. Tropy and Neo Cortex from destroying the multiverse. “Players can choose to be Crash or his sister Coco,” explains a gamer. “This version of the classic Activision game incorporates the new Quantum Masks; they can help the character escape and overcome obstacles.” It’s available for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and Series S.
6. NBA 2K20
NBA 2K20 is the 21st installment in the NBA 2K franchise. It is published by 2K Sports. Our gamers love how this particular basketball simulation game, which was released in November 2019, makes you feel like you’re actually slam-dunking on the court. The action is, of course, based on the National Basketball Association and is available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox One.
7. Mortal Kombat 11
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment debuted Mortal Kombat 11 to rave reviews in April 2019. “I have played Mortal Kombat 11 every single day since I got it,” says one gamer. “It takes me back to my childhood, playing the original version in my rec room with all my buddies in junior high.” Craving a bit of nostalgia? Or, an uppercut with lots of brutality? It’s available for PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One.
8. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
This Star Wars game is an excellent pick for the teenage gamers in your life. In its first two weeks on the market, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order set records for being the fastest-selling digital launch of any Star Wars game in history. This game takes place in a galaxy far, far away, and follows Jedi Padawan on his quest to complete Jedi training and restore the Jedi Order, which is no easy task.
9. Super Smash Bros.
Mario is back and better than ever in Super Smash Bros. This is the fifth game in the series and has sold more than 16 million copies worldwide since its 2018 release. “I’ve been playing Mario Bros. games since the 1980s and this is the best one yet because it takes me right back to my childhood,” raves our gamer. “Players can pick their character and have a blast trying to knock all the opponents out of the arena. Kids can play this one with their parents, which makes it a great gamer gift.”
10. Kingdom Hearts III
Kingdom Hearts III sold over 5 million copies the first week it was released by Square Enix in 2019. It’s a great choice for teens and even tweens, who are over the cutesy Disney stuff. The bestselling installment in the series is set in various Pixar and Disney worlds. “The graphics in this game are beyond incredible,” enthuses a gamer. “It’s a must-have for any Disney fan but also for anyone who loves fantasy-adventure games.”
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