HUNDREDS of gamers braved the cold and queued across Hampshire last night for the hottest video game of the year, writes Ian Crump.

Call of Duty: Black Ops |was released at midnight and is tipped to be the most successful entertainment launch of all time.

Black Ops’ predecessor, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, currently holds the record for being the most successful entertainment launch, with first-day sales of over £242.4m last November.

To celebrate the launch, video game retailers up and down the country opened their stores last night so that eager fans of the series could be among the first to pick up a copy.

GAME alone opened three stores in central Southampton, one in Eastleigh and another in Winchester.

Neil Ashurst, head of UK public relations for GAME, said: “We know that our customers in Hampshire and across the country love this game, so we’re opening over 100 stores.

“This will be one of the must-have games of the year and will be on many people’s Christmas lists if they don’t pick up a copy tonight.”

Check out our review of Call of Duty: Black Ops in this Friday’s Daily Echo