The Top-Selling Video Game For Each Year of the 2010s

Summary

• The 2010s saw the dominance of Call of Duty with innovative gameplay and multiplayer success.
• A monetization shift took place in gaming; microtransactions and free-to-play games became the norm.
• Franchises like GTA and FIFA soared alongside Call of Duty in the 2010s.

The 2010s saw the advancement and growth of online multiplayer gaming around the world. With the release of next-generation consoles, the Xbox One and PS4 in 2013, online accessibility became even easier. While the decade would see many successful franchises come and go, one series would dominate the industry and capitalize on the emerging multiplayer gaming.

The 2010s were the decade of Call of Duty, with an impressive seven games topping the yearly best-selling charts. Blending fast and gritty FPS campaigns with addictive multiplayer modes, Call of Duty was the game in everybody’s library. The 2010s also saw a shift in gaming monetization, as microtransactions and free-to-play games became the norm. The 2010s were a decade of change that set the stage for our current gaming era, with some of the most successful and enduring releases still popular games today.

Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

A New Era of Shooter

Call of Duty had long established itself as the premier FPS franchise before the release of Black Ops. Starting as a WW2 shooter, the series changed gaming history with its Modern Warfare series, which brought first-person shooters into a contemporary setting.

After Modern Warfare 2, the series would return to a 1940s setting with Call of Duty: World at War. Call of Duty: Black Ops is a sequel to this entry and is set in the 1960s during the Cold War, with a campaign that presents a darker tone than previous installments. Black Ops was a massive success, with its multiplayer game mode being hugely popular. The game would go on to become one of the best-selling games of all time, and kick-started Call of Duty‘s domination of the decade.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)

A Worthy Conclusion to a Landmark Trilogy

While Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 would fail to innovate on the successful formula established by its two predecessors, MW3 was another smash-hit game for the Call of Duty team.

The campaign follows on from Modern Warfare 2, with players taking control of Task Force 141, featuring returning characters Captain Price and Soap MacTavish. In the game, players continue to search for the series antagonist Vladimir Makarov across the globe. Modern Warfare 3 was released to strong reviews and was a solid and highly polished gaming experience. While the innovation that saw the series dominate the industry was starting to wane, this third installment of a classic trilogy showed the franchise was anything but dead.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)

Call of Duty Remains on Top

Following on from the massive success of Black Ops, Call of Duty: Black Ops II once again returns to a Cold War setting, with players taking control of characters Alex Mason and Frank Woods. However, this time, players are also transported forward to 2025, where Mason’s son continues the story.

Black Ops II introduced futuristic technology into the Call of Duty franchise and was praised for its branching storylines, player choice, and gameplay. As was the trend in the series, Black Ops II featured an addictive multiplayer mode and a return of the popular Zombies mode. This ninth entry into the series would once again break sales records and solidify Call of Duty‘s domination over the industry.

Grand Theft Auto 5 (2013)

Rockstar Delivers Another Classic

For the first time in four years, 2013 finally saw a game other than Call of Duty become the year’s bestseller, with the release of Grand Theft Auto 5. The fifth installment of the massively popular open-world series would break all previous sales records and become one of the most enduring single-player games of all time.

Set in the fictional state of San Andreas, with much of the game taking place in the city of Los Santos, GTA 5 follows the story of three interconnected criminals through a series of daring heists. Players can switch between the three protagonists at will, creating an expansive and multi-layered narrative. The large, open world of the game feels alive and vibrant, while the gameplay is the best of the series so far. GTA 5 is largely considered one of the best games ever made. It would also enjoy a longer-than-average lifespan due to several re-releases for next-generation consoles.

FIFA 15 (2014)

FIFA Scores Another Goal

2014 saw the most successful sports game franchise ever continue its domination of the genre with FIFA 15. The FIFA series has been a mainstay in the gaming industry since the early 90s, with football fans across the world eager for each year’s new release. 2014 also saw the World Cup take place in Brazil, ensuring football fever was at an all-time high.

FIFA 15 was another huge hit for the developers, taking full advantage of next-generation consoles. The release was praised for its fun gameplay, animations, and atmosphere. It was also the first FIFA game to be fully licensed by the Premier League.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)

Bringing Futuristic Changes

Call of Duty: Black Ops III moved the series from a historical and contemporary setting to a futuristic one. Set in 2065, the game continues the narrative in a time of encroaching climate change and advanced technologies.

The game offered more open levels, designed for teams of four co-op players, and a variety of game modes. While Black Ops III was another huge success for the Call of Duty franchise, the innovation that saw the series grow had long since stalled. However, the twelfth entry into the series offered numerous game modes, strong gameplay, and hours of replayability for groups of friends.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)

Call of Duty Continues Its Domination of the Decade

With the release of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, the series once again took a step away from its realistic roots, with a futuristic shooter set in outer space, complete with zero-G mechanics.

While Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare’s trailer received one of the most negative reactions the series has endured, the game would still go on to enjoy massive success, becoming the year’s top seller. Infinite Warfare offered a solid campaign, fun multiplayer, and Zombies mode that franchise fans have come to expect. While the initial reaction to Infinite Warfare was negative, on release, critics praised the game for its high-quality and polished gameplay.

Call of Duty: WWII (2017)

A Return to Its Roots

After the negative reaction to the previous year’s futuristic Infinite Warfare, 2017 saw the decade’s biggest franchise return to its roots, with Call of Duty: WWII. Bringing the usual high-quality multiplayer and immersive campaign, the fourteenth Call of Duty installment was a welcome change of pace.

The campaign revolves around a squad in the 1st Infantry Division, following their story from the historic D-Day landings and their battles across Europe. While the game does little to innovate the well-trodden genre, its moving and well-written campaign is a highlight of the series. While the game wasn’t groundbreaking, it proved the long-running franchise still had something to say.

Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)

A Welcome Return to the Old West

With the end of the decade nearing, Rockstar Games would release one of the most ambitious titles in their storied history, Red Dead Redemption 2. Set as a prequel to the 2010s Red Dead Redemption, players control Arthur Morgan, a loyal member of the Van der Linde gang, as he gets into daring shootouts and heart-pumping heists, all to help his extended outlaw family survive.

RDR2 is filled with fun action, random encounters, stunning scenery, and a deeply engaging narrative. The game takes a slower pace than many third-person shooters, which only adds to the overall Old West atmosphere. RDR2 is a game players can get lost in, from the surprisingly moving story of Arthur, to simply exploring, hunting, and fishing. The game would release to universal acclaim and be hailed as one of the greatest video games ever made.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

The Classic Series Returns

The sixteenth entry in the Call of Duty mainline franchise rebooted the now classic Modern Warfare series with great gameplay and an action-packed campaign. The game also helped introduce Call of Duty’s free-to-play title, Warzone, to the gaming public. However, Modern Warfare was not without controversy.

Criticism was directed at its depiction of child soldiers, Russians, and the unrealistic effects of white phosphorus as a killstreak reward. However, overall, Modern Warfare’s campaign is considered one of the best in the series and a welcome return for some of the franchise’s classic characters.