Call of Duty: Black Ops went on sale across the world this evening. To celebrate, Activision dusted off the cobwebs of Battersea Power Station to mark the official UK launch right here in London. Naturally, we went along to see what all the fuss was about. Couldn’t make it? Then check out our photo gallery after the break.
The year’s most extravagant launch called for an equally sizeable venue. As venues go they don’t come much bigger or historic than the Battersea Power Station location we found ourselves in earlier this evening, for Treyarch and Activision’s latest Call of Duty effort.
Arriving at the abandoned power-house relic we were met with the sight of the Call of Duty: Black Ops game cover projected into its walls, should we needed reminded we were in the right place. After a bit (a lot) of waiting in the cold, we hot-footed it across the black carpet to get in.
The festivities kicked off with the UK’s first multiplayer Black Ops tournament. Its players were picked upon entry to the event, with twelve drawn out of a hat to compete. Not expecting to be chosen, I entered, only to be the first name picked out the hat (what luck) by Black Ops launch host, and TV presenter George Lamb. I won the first (practice) match, only to lose the second. Darn it.
It was soon time to get plenty of hands-on time, just like many of you will be doing now. There was even a chance to see some celebrities we’ve vaguely heard of getting down to some multiplayer in a celebrity tournament, before seeing Manchester City footballer, Wayne Bridge take on AC Milan’s Clarence Seedorf in a free-for-all deathmatch. The City bench can’t be doing Bridge’s football any good, but his Call of Duty game certainly wasn’t suffering, narrowly losing to the quite excellent, sharp-shooting Dutchman.
The evening wrapped up with an appearance from UK rapper,Tinie Tempah, and goodie bags. Free copies of the game for the attending celebrities, and erm, a poster and notepad for everyone else. Oh.
Were you at the launch? Did you wait in line at midnight to bag your copy of Call of Duty Black Ops? Let us know in the comments section below. And don’t forget to look out for our full Call of Duty: Black Ops review coming soon.
Out now | From £39.99 | Call of Duty: Black Ops
