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The Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (opens in new tab) 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
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Congrats to #TidalVortex for dominating the box office two weeks in a row: http://t.co/8g3X63bxZ4 pic.twitter.com/kmuV5pEEZVSeptember 28, 2015
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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
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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
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City Authorities urge the public not to panic, and to not hinder the emergency teams that are converging on the area.September 29, 2015
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UPDATE: Sources confirm explosion took place at Singapore Research Laboratories belonging to Coalescence Corporation pic.twitter.com/UyW9Ph8XA4September 29, 2015
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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
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Reports are starting to emerge of roadblocks on major thoroughfares, turning back traffic from the scene of the apparent accident.September 29, 2015
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UPDATE: Singapore Authorities have officially announced a state of emergency and declared martial law.September 29, 2015
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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
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UPDATE: Military drones have been seen flocking around, and in some cases shooting down civilian drones violating the no-fly order.September 29, 2015
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Pictures from one of these drones show the Coalescence Corporation complex, where clouds of smoke continue to rise. pic.twitter.com/U6mUNYwDjnSeptember 29, 2015
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Shots have been fired at the newly established blockades as citizens attempt to flee the new “Quarantine Zone.” pic.twitter.com/7kvZLGDtwBSeptember 29, 2015
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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
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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
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James Chung, commander of the Singapore Armed Forces, has issued a statement about the situation on the ground. Points follow.September 29, 2015
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“At 08:17 this morning, an incident occurred at the Coalescence Corporation’s research facility. Situation on the ground is developing.”September 29, 2015
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“At this time, the cause of the incident is unknown. There have been no claims of responsibility from any organization.”September 29, 2015
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“A 30-mile quarantine zone has been established to contain the area until more information is known.” pic.twitter.com/0vMKXaxlbASeptember 29, 2015
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“Citizens living in the area are being asked to stay in their homes, and to keep their doors and windows closed.”September 29, 2015
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“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
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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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