Celebrity Homes

Call of Duty Creator sells California mansion for US$22 million

The British creator of Call of Duty: Black Ops has sold the Brentwood mansion where he developed the hit franchise, closing at US$22 million (about AUD $34 million) after more than a year on the market.

Dave Anthony, the British game developer behind Call of Duty: Black Ops, has sold the Brentwood home where he developed the blockbuster franchise. The deal closed on 19 November for US$22 million (about AUD $34 million), following more than a year on the market and several price reductions.

Realtor.com revealed Anthony first listed the English-inspired property in May 2024 with an asking price just under US$27 million.

He originally purchased the block for US$3.5 million around 14 years ago, before demolishing the 1940s house and building a new seven-bedroom residence that reflected both his design preferences and his gaming background.

The sale was handled by Aaron Kirman of Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California, alongside Drew Fenton of Carolwood Estates.

That deal for the property, which was co-listed by Aaron Kirman of Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California and Drew Fenton of Carolwood Estates. Image: aaronkirman.com

A home shaped by gaming

The house was built with a strong emphasis on technology and privacy.

Anthony created a concealed server room hidden behind a door in his sound-treated office, which also functions as a panic space.

Other features include a soundproof cinema, a large entertainment lounge with bar and billiards table, and a retractable 100-inch projector screen in the main suite.

The grounds include a fountain with programmed lighting that can sync to music.

Despite the high-tech inclusions, the overall look of the property leans heavily towards traditional English influences, a nod to Anthony’s background.

He has previously said that the attention to detail in the home was informed by the same approach he used when building the Call of Duty world.

This where Dave Anthony conceived the beloved video game franchise. Image: aaronkirman.com

Inside the layout

The property spans seven bedrooms and eight-and-a-half bathrooms.

A state-of-the-art smart system runs throughout, including automated drapery.

The kitchen features heated floors, timber panelling and one of Los Angeles’ remaining permitted wood-burning fireplaces, which can also be used as gas.

Large windows and an H-shaped layout were designed to bring extensive natural light into the home and promote flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.

The grounds include green landscaping and a pool, creating a private retreat in the middle of Brentwood.

British native Dave Anthony, who has been hailed as the billion-dollar game designer thanks to his work on the Call of Duty series. Image: aaronkirman.com

Years of work and considerable investment

Anthony has not disclosed the total construction cost, although he told The Wall Street Journal that it was roughly three times higher than he and his wife originally planned.

He described feeling fortunate to have been earning enough from his gaming career to create the property.

The sale comes more than a decade after the first Black Ops title launched.

The Call of Duty franchise has since generated more than USD $35 billion (about AUD $54 billion) in revenue globally. Anthony left the company responsible for the series in 2013.

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Catherine Nikas-Boulos

Catherine Nikas-Boulos is the Digital Editor at Elite Agent and has spent the last 20 years covering (and coveting) real estate around the country.