There exists a small but passionately dedicated constellation within the grand tapestry that is the universe of gaming, where new stars are born and die with all the rhythmic regularity of clockwork. The last nine standing warriors fighting for a fort in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 on WiiU are a constellation composed of players rather than stars. At first glance, this photo might mean nothing in the infinite universe of games, but a closer look reveals a story of dedication, undertaking, and the purest passion for gaming.
WiiU’s two-tier camp
When it first came out, there was a mixed reaction to the WiiU. Some saw it as a bold step for Nintendo, a company that tends to do things its way. Others doubted that a system handed to Nintendo would manage to carve a niche in the market already saturated by the industry giants, Xbox and PlayStation. The announcement of the distribution of Black Ops 2 on the WiiU gathered debates from social networks and gaming websites. Will this be the game that made the platform famous, or will it go into oblivion while its rivals on other more powerful platforms are at center stage?
Many gamers and industry watchers agreed the outlook wasn’t very promising. Most people assumed that the majority of gamers would opt for either the Xbox or PlayStation versions of Black Ops 2 because of the strong online communities and, generally, better online experiences offered. This opinion was mirrored in many separate discussions, where most people doubted the WiiU could attract a big enough player base to support a game as large as Black Ops 2. There was some dissent on Nintendo’s strategy—or lack thereof—for developing an interesting library of games for the WiiU. Many wondered if Nintendo blew a fantastic opportunity to lock in its standing in the console wars considering the early launch of the platform and its sparse lineup of must-play games.
Amid these conversations, there was even some evidence that Nintendo was acting strategically and that it was ready to allow independent games establish themselves free from Nintendo’s system-sellers drowning out all other movements. Talk about deals and alliances to better appeal to the WiiU for developers and gamers both. Nonetheless, even with this, the WiiU never quite acquired the popularity that many had hoped for except the odd flicker of curiosity from players everywhere. Many users and developers started neglecting Nintendo’s system in favor of more potent platforms and more whole gaming experiences as large titles continued emerging.
Still, amid this changing terrain, a very small fraction of players cling to the WiiU—in one little area. Men who, despite all odds, persisted to enroll, ally, and fight on the virtual battlefields of Black Ops 2—whose popularity had faded in respect to some of its contemporaries—were the players of this first-person shooter. They could be discouraged by neither diminishing ranks, lack of mainstream appeal, nor the attraction of newer, slicker gaming experiences on other platforms. For them, the WiiU Black Ops 2 edition was more than simply a game; it was a compliment to their commitment and a representation of their particular stature in the gaming sector.
In time, it meant that only the most hardcore gamers remained, and the number further started to dwindle. Reports of difficulty finding teammates in the lesser-played game modes were a surefire sign of a community in decline. Still, even with those challenges, there was no giving up for these tenacious players; they just kept on truckin’, bonding over their platform of choice, relishing in the competition and camaraderie that only a game like Black Ops 2 provided. Just nine people keeping a game alive on a platform many had written off might have sounded like an impossible scenario to some.
Tragic 9 absolute supporters
It’s almost like being in a hidden world when you’re part of a gaming community, especially a tight-knit one such as the WiiU community for Black Ops 2. This strange band of nine gamers is a testament to the power of camaraderie and shared interest in the face of obsolescence. Their story is one not of a game or a platform, but of building a legacy that will outlive the traditional lifespan of digital entertainment. Let’s sink our teeth into the connections and heritage that have been built in Black Ops 2 on WiiU.
Though WiiU had creative hardware—both the new system and the strange controller—it never quite managed to establish a strong brand in gamers’ and casual players’ perceptions. Early release and the steady trickle of must-have games following placed the platform in a precarious state. A little of optimism would come with the release of Black Ops 2 for WiiU. It was a chance for the system to establish its value and that it truly could run a resource-intensive, smash-hit game such as Call of Duty. Despite all odds and contrary to most projections, a tiny yet committed community grew around this game.
Because of their unrelenting devotion, this group of athletes established a space for themselves. They were, in a way, pioneers, following the route less traveled by keeping with the WiiU version of Black Ops 2. Their reasoning varied; some enjoyed the concept of backing an underdog in the console battles, while others admired the unique control schemes given by the WiiU GamePad. Whatever the explanation may be, these gamers have discovered on WiiU’s version of Black Ops 2 something they couldn’t obtain anyplace else.
A community such as this melded into a family, rather than simply remaining a group of individuals gaming with the same title. The WiiU Black Ops 2 players have managed to achieve strong ties in a game environment where anonymity is rampant and associations can otherwise be so superficial and transitory. They know each other’s strategies, game styles, and even real-life challenges. That kind of friendship doesn’t come very often and is very special, especially in an online community that can be very isolating. But beyond the ties that bind its members together, the WiiU’s Black Ops 2 community has left a lasting impact. They are an example, within the gaming industry, of tenacity and a reminder that a game isn’t worth anything because of its graphics, frame rate, or even the market share of a platform. But its worth is in the connections and memories amongst its servers. And, of course, the question of what will happen when the last server goes dark arises as we face the inevitable. Most people in this community take that prospect with gratitude for what they have shared together, rather than any fear. They’ve come to accept that digital worlds are ephemeral, choosing to focus on the joy and bonds they’ve found there, not on the ending. History will remember Black Ops 2 on the WiiU as a legacy of defiance, one that finds beauty and friendship in the most unlikely of places, before it finally slips into history.
To sum up, the tale of the final nine individuals securing Black Ops 2 on the WiiU is more than just an odd anecdote in the history of video games. It serves as a symbol of camaraderie and a reminder that small groups of committed individuals may always leave their imprint in the huge and always changing gaming world. We applaud the WiiU’s Black Ops 2 players for demonstrating the genuine strength of community amidst hardship. Despite your tiny number, you have left a huge legacy.
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