We’ve Spent More Time Playing Call of Duty Than Humans Have Spent Existing

Photo by cottonbro studio

According to Activision’s stats, humanity has officially spent more time playing Call of Duty than it has existing. No, seriously — players have racked up over 30 billion hours of gameplay. That’s the equivalent of 3.4 million years. For perspective, Homo sapiens have only been around for approximately 300,000 years. So yes, we’ve spent more time drop-shotting strangers on Nuketown than building civilizations or learning how to walk upright.

And somehow, we’re just getting started.

Call of Duty isn’t fading into gaming history. It’s rewriting it. The franchise is in the midst of a comeback era, winning over old-school players, sweaty teens, and even esports purists.

Case in point: the Call of Duty: Waterloo Invitational, which took place from June 26 to 29 at the Rec Center in Waterloo, Ontario. Not only was it the most significant competitive CoD event in Canada, but it also proved that CoD isn’t just a game anymore. It’s a lifestyle, a legacy, and maybe... a little bit of a cult.

The Waterloo Invitational: Canada's Largest Call of Duty Tournament… Ever

From June 26 to 29, 2025, The Aud transformed into a full-blown esports arena. The Call of Duty: Waterloo Invitational drew thousands of players, fans, and curious onlookers, making it officially the largest competitive CoD event in Canadian history.

What went down?

• Multi-tier team brackets with players from across Ontario and beyond

• Cash prizes, pro-level setups, and intense live shoutcasting

• VR booths, cannabis sponsors, and gaming hardware giveaways

• Pop-up food stalls and merch tables that gave Lollapalooza vibes

  
  

This wasn't your cousin's basement LAN party. This was Call of Duty on tour, with Waterloo as its next major stop.

Why the Waterloo Tournament Matters

This event marks more than just a flex for Canadian gaming. It's proof that:

• Esports is no longer niche. It's mainstream.

• Gaming culture is evolving beyond online lobbies into real-world festivals.

• Smaller cities like Waterloo are emerging as key players in hosting major events, bridging tech, youth culture, and competitive gaming.

  
  

Call it ironic, surreal, or a little dystopian, but the fact that humanity has spent more time playing Call of Duty than existing on Earth says a lot about where we are. It also proves how deeply gaming is ingrained into our collective identity.

Call of Duty Is More Than a Game: It's a Movement

Let's be real: not every franchise can boast that its players have outlived humanity in raw time. Call of Duty isn't just surviving in 2025, it's thriving. And events like the Waterloo Invitational are evidence that Canada is ready to claim its spot on the global esports map.

From sweaty 1v1s to local tournaments backed by cannabis brands and tech sponsors, the future of gaming is here and it's not just in LA or Seoul. It's in Waterloo. Mission accomplished.