Call of Duty to Launch on Game Pass in Gaming Shake-Up
Microsoft defies the trend by releasing Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on Game Pass on launch day. Instead of paying in advance for the new release, gamers can choose a monthly subscription plan. The inclusion of Call of Duty in Game Pass serves as a litmus test for the subscription model's viability.
In a revolutionary step, Microsoft has announced that the highly anticipated Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be available immediately to Game Pass users. This decision represents a big shift in the industry, since gamers have traditionally had to pay a large upfront fee to obtain new releases altogether.
With the latest Call of Duty release, users may now choose a significantly more inexpensive monthly membership instead. Christopher Dring, CEO of GamesIndustry.biz, called Microsoft's action a "significant move" for both the tech company and the gaming industry as a whole.
While Microsoft has previously made games available to Game Pass customers on launch day, such as the highly anticipated Starfield in 2023, this is the first time they have done so with a major release like Call of Duty. Call of Duty is indisputably one of the most successful gaming series in history, with over 425 million lifetime sales and billions of dollars in revenue. It is also the crown jewel for producer Activision Blizzard.
Microsoft's decision to depart from the traditional sales model in favour of a subscription-based strategy is a risky move. According to Dring, "Call of Duty is by far the biggest game to go into a subscription service on the day it is released." He went on to say that this change will serve as a litmus test for the subscription model, since Call of Duty's ability to attract new members will be a significant indication of its viability.
Game Pass, also known as the "Netflix for games," allows console and PC users to access a massive library of games for a monthly price. Unlike streaming services, Game Pass allows players to download games on their own hardware, resulting in a more smooth and consistent gaming experience. Both Game Pass and Sony's PlayStation Plus have grown in popularity, with PlayStation Plus boasting 47 million users in March 2023 and Game Pass reporting 34 million as of February 2024.
By including Call of Duty on Game Pass, Microsoft is taking a calculated risk of potentially cannibalising revenues in exchange for a significant boost in Game Pass subscriptions. Mr. Dring speculates that this change may be motivated by the inherent difficulty of game streaming services, as individuals prefer to play fewer games than watch TV episodes. However, the inclusion of a blockbuster game such as Call of Duty may necessitate alterations to the subscription model to assure its viability.
One aspect that remains unclear is whether gamers will be able to stream the new Call of Duty game or if they will be required to download it. Microsoft's acquisition of Activision necessitated certain concessions to appease regulators, including granting French game publisher Ubisoft the cloud streaming rights to distribute Activision's games on consoles and PCs. As a result, the availability of cloud streaming for Call of Duty may be subject to Ubisoft's decision. Additionally, the specifics of the deal are unknown, making it highly unlikely that PlayStation gamers will have access to streaming the game on its release day.
Microsoft breaks the mold by offering Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on Game Pass from launch day
Gamers can opt for a monthly subscription instead of paying upfront for the new release
Call of Duty's inclusion on Game Pass serves as a litmus test for the viability of the subscription model
Source: BBC