Call of Duty: Black Ops is a critically acclaimed 2010 first-person shooter developed by Treyarch and published by Activision, launching in November for multiple platforms. Set during the tense 1960s Cold War, the single-player campaign immerses players as CIA operative Alex Mason, who must recall fractured memories to uncover a Soviet numbers station planning chemical weapon deployment across the United States.

Beyond its compelling story spanning global locations like Cuba and Vietnam, the game introduced an enhanced multiplayer experience featuring objective-based modes, improved loadout options, and a virtual currency called COD Points for customization. Black Ops received positive reviews for its narrative, voice-acting, and multiplayer, quickly becoming a commercial phenomenon. It shattered sales records, selling over 5.6 million copies within 24 hours and eventually more than 25 million worldwide, cementing its place as one of the best-selling games of all time and spawning multiple sequels, including Black Ops II (2012) and Black Ops Cold War (2020).