The Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Twitter account usually tweets trailers, events, and general updates about the game - standard pre-release promotional stuff. But earlier today, Activision turned it into a mock near-future news outlet, reporting on a mysterious explosion and resulting quarantine in Singapore.
The newly christened "Current Events Aggregator" started off with a couple of fluff pieces to establish its credentials as a futuristic news source. As you might imagine, this provoked a few perplexed reactions from people who follow the Call of Duty Twitter account to hear about new multiplayer modes instead of future fashion.
Narcis Dravinski brings his fall fashion line #Elabor8MZFIT to Milan this week - read more: http://t.co/JmrEpqwXA0 pic.twitter.com/hSvtgnGN9dSeptember 27, 2015
Congrats to #TidalVortex for dominating the box office two weeks in a row: http://t.co/8g3X63bxZ4 pic.twitter.com/kmuV5pEEZVSeptember 28, 2015
But then things got (fictionally) serious:
BREAKING NEWS: Unconfirmed reports are coming in of an explosion on the North bank of the Singapore Marina.September 29, 2015
The cause of the explosion is unknown, but large plumes of dark smoke have been seen rising from the site. pic.twitter.com/dsJZ6hti7YSeptember 29, 2015
City Authorities urge the public not to panic, and to not hinder the emergency teams that are converging on the area.September 29, 2015
UPDATE: Sources confirm explosion took place at Singapore Research Laboratories belonging to Coalescence Corporation pic.twitter.com/UyW9Ph8XA4September 29, 2015
The Coalescence Corporation has shown up before in some of Black Ops 3's ARG-style ad campaigns. It's your typical future tech giant, manufacturing cybernetic augmentations, robotics, and even Reaper, a robot Specialist from the competitive multiplayer mode.
Authorities have implemented a no-fly order in response to the apparent crash of relief VTOLs heading to the scene of the explosion.September 29, 2015
Reports are starting to emerge of roadblocks on major thoroughfares, turning back traffic from the scene of the apparent accident.September 29, 2015
UPDATE: Singapore Authorities have officially announced a state of emergency and declared martial law.September 29, 2015
Drones have been spotted over an area approx. 30 square miles in size, broadcasting messages advising people to stay in their homes.September 29, 2015
UPDATE: Military drones have been seen flocking around, and in some cases shooting down civilian drones violating the no-fly order.September 29, 2015
Pictures from one of these drones show the Coalescence Corporation complex, where clouds of smoke continue to rise. pic.twitter.com/U6mUNYwDjnSeptember 29, 2015
Shots have been fired at the newly established blockades as citizens attempt to flee the new "Quarantine Zone." pic.twitter.com/7kvZLGDtwBSeptember 29, 2015
One of the multiplayer beta maps takes place "atop an overgrown rooftop in the middle of Singapore’s flooded quarantine zone," so these events must take place at least a few years before the campaign.
UPDATE: Riot police have dispersed rioting mobs to the southwest of Chinatown using LRAD sonic area control weapons. pic.twitter.com/yDHT2tnXzjSeptember 29, 2015
A large convoy of military trucks carrying individuals in Hazmat suits has been waved through the blockade and into the downtown area.September 29, 2015
James Chung, commander of the Singapore Armed Forces, has issued a statement about the situation on the ground. Points follow.September 29, 2015
"At 08:17 this morning, an incident occurred at the Coalescence Corporation’s research facility. Situation on the ground is developing."September 29, 2015
"At this time, the cause of the incident is unknown. There have been no claims of responsibility from any organization."September 29, 2015
“A 30-mile quarantine zone has been established to contain the area until more information is known." pic.twitter.com/0vMKXaxlbASeptember 29, 2015
“Citizens living in the area are being asked to stay in their homes, and to keep their doors and windows closed."September 29, 2015
"A state of Martial Law has been declared and will remain in place until the incident is firmly understood.” pic.twitter.com/0KNmyxEOD7September 29, 2015
Is this Twitter takeover yet more past-in-the-future lore for conspiracy-loving Black Ops fans to tear apart, or will we see another side of these events somewhere in the main campaign? We'll find out one when Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 is released on November 6.
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