Kevin Spacey may be at the forefront of major movie stars moving to television, but there’s another migration the actor appears to be late for. Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) announced this morning that the House of Cards star will take a central role in the company’s next Call of Duty game. The game, which is set to subtitled Advanced Warfare,
Call of Duty is the biggest selling games franchise out there right now, and the series was, in fact, regularly seen in the first season of the Neflix Original Series House of Cards. Kevin Spacey’s character in that show, Congressman Frank Underwood, plays the game online in order to reduce stress after a long-day’s underhanded plotting.
Kevin Spacey moves into video games
A digital Kevin Spacey appears in the trailer Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) released with their announcement of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. The trailer feature a voice-over from the acclaimed actor, meditating on the nature of wars for democracy. The digital version of the Hollywood star bears a striking resemblance to the real Mr. Spacey, and his performance in the trailer is sure to be remembered as more details about the release become apparent.
Appearances from Hollywood stars have become more and more common in video games, and Kevin Spacey is, unfortunately, trailing behind on this particular jump. The actor was preempted by Kiefer Sutherland, who appeared in the most recent entry in the Metal Gear Solid Franchise, and even Patrick Stuart, who was a trend setter in his role in the 2006 blockbuster Oblivion.
Major Hollywood star power is expensive, but the games industry is a massive one, and some of the company’s are able, and willing, to afford the massive pay checks that those stars command. Hollywood has always been a fan of utilizing big-name actors to get customers to pay $10 to see a movie. Getting $60 for a game may need the same kind of intervention.
Activision bets on a change in Call of Duty success
Call of Duty defined a genre, and the game has continued to do just that over the years since its release. Though the game originally began as a World War 2 shooter, it eventually evolved into a modern military combat simulator. The series now releases a new game every year or so and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, is set to be the entry for 2014.
The latest entry, judging by the trailer, appears to be something of a departure from more recent games in the franchise. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare appears to be centered around a more futuristic military than anything resembling the current state of the armed forces. Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) may be worried that the tide is changing as more science fiction centered shooters arrive through 2014.
Whatever the future of the military shooter, it is likely that Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare will be a big seller in 2014. Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) is the only credible company in the games space, and the only one seemingly capable of a consistent profit.
