NEW YORK CITY: Hordes of excited gamers descended on shops across the globe on Tuesday to get their hands on the latest release from the blockbusting “Call of Duty” video game franchise.

Devotees of the decade-old military shooter series queued through the evening to buy “Call of Duty: Ghosts,” which went on sale at midnight across the world.

In New York, David Santiago, 20, was first of dozens in line outside Gamestop on 33rd and Broadway, queuing since 5pm, chatting with friends, ordering a pizza and soaking up the excitement.

“I’m going to run home. Getting that train, getting myself home and getting my Xbox going to have some fun,” he grinned.

Down the block, 37-year-old electrician Michael Maddan was hot with anticipation despite the late-night winter chill.

“I can’t wait,” he said. “I like gun games. I like running around shooting people. I can’t do it in real life, so I have fun doing it on Xbox. It’s great.”

The latest sequel is set in a desolate United States devastated by a satellite-guided “kinetic” weapon strike on San Diego.

Compatible with smartphones and tablet computers, it promises new missions and extends online capabilities.

In London, England footballers Daniel Sturridge and Andros Townsend and rappers Rizzle Kicks helped to launch the game by competing in a multi-player tournament at the O2 Arena.

Liverpool forward Sturridge said he was feeling “super good” after defeating game developer Tina Palacios in the final.

Around 150 people lined up at the GAME store in London’s Westfield Center on the stroke of midnight.

They were on the receiving end of a barrage of orders from a member of the army, drafted in to ensure the new recruits were up to the job.

“The game is on!” declared Zohab, who had waited since 7 a.m. to secure first place in the queue. Fellow player Damien called it “the best game in the world.”

Some 2,000 shops around Britain opened for the event, according to Roy Stackhouse, the UK general manager for game producer Activision.

“I think it’s fantastic,” he told AFP. “We’ve got a very loyal fanbase, they drive us to make the best gaming experience we can.”