Reports are that Activision will launch an online service called Call of Duty Elite, which will have a subscription fee. It will offer new content like map packs that won’t be contained on the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
Parts of the service will be free, including features inspired by social networks letting Call of Duty players meet with others who share interests. There will also be performance analyzing tools for the service, giving players stats on elements like their best weapon.
Activision CEO Bobby Kotick doesn’t think the move will alienate players since the Call of Duty Elite subscription fee isn’t necessary to compete online, adding that it wouldn’t be possible if it was simply free. “This is an enormous investment,” he said.
Call of Duty has seven million daily players of the game who spend about seven full days a year playing the game against others online on average. Rob Dyer, senior vice president of publisher relations at SCEA, says he’s “very confident” other publishers will follow Activision’s lead. “There’s money to be made there,” he said.
Source: Wall Street Journal
