IN PICTURES: Retail ushers in Black Ops II release

Call of Duty: Black Ops II is here at last, and thousand of store workers and gamers took to the streets last night to welcome it.

The official launch took place at HMV’s Oxford Street store and was attended by a number of celebrities.

Blockbuster also saw a fantastic turnout at its event.

It was fantastic to see thousands of people turnout at over 450 Blockbuster stores last night and our staff really getting into the spirit of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2,” Blockbuster UK’s commercial director Gerry Butler said.

We could not have served all our customers so quickly without the dedication of our staff so huge thanks for them for working so hard on the biggest night in gaming.

"We sold over 10,000 copies of the game in the first five minutes alone and we anticipate that our stores will continue to serve hundreds of COD fans today as the rush continues to get the latest game in this record breaking franchise.”

We also have a selection of pictures from GAME’s launch:

Abed Moussa from Birmingham is the first to buy a copy of Call of Duty Black Ops II at GAME’s Bullring store in Birmingham which opened at midnight so fans could get a copy the moment the game was released. GAME staff at the Bullring were in full army gear to protect the stores against enemy fire.

Last night, GAME pulled the pin on the Call of Duty grenade when the retailer opened 319 stores across the country at midnight so fans could get their hands on Black Ops II the moment it exploded onto the market and had over 250 customers at the Bullring, Birmingham

Lucky winner Bridget Everill from Birmingham won the Care Package in the raffle whilst queueing to buy her copy of Call of Duty: Black Ops II at GAME’s Bullring store in Birmingham which opened at midnight so fans could get a copy the moment the game was released. GAME staff at the Bullring were in full army gear to protect the stores against enemy fire.

GAME protected by soldiers at the Call of Duty: Black Ops II launch at GAME’s Bullring store in Birmingham which opened at midnight so fans could get a copy the moment the game was released. GAME staff at the Bullring were in full army gear to protect the stores against enemy fire.