670°

Microsoft to reveal EA partnership at Next Xbox event

As the industry prepares for a highly anticipated Microsoft press conference in which it will showcase a new console for the first time in eight years, publisher Electronic Arts is preparing to step on stage to announce a key exclusivity agreement.

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computerandvideogames.com
bicfitness4104d ago

Its almost certainly not an exclusive, its a strategic partnership. I wish people would read the articles before commenting.

pompombrum4104d ago

Yeah but they'll treat it like call of duty, get timed exclusive DLC and have the world exclusive reveal at their conference to make it look like it's better on xbox.

ArmGunar4104d ago Show
Good_Guy_Jamal4104d ago (Edited 4104d ago )

What are you on about? Who said anything different?
You guys were falling over each other when Destiny was at the ps4 event even though its a multiplatform game but when Microsoft does it they are the bad guys. How about we wait and see what else they announce before we go trolling up and down this cess pool and circle jerking one another?

raytraceme4104d ago

With ea I know they hate the used games market and I can only imagine that their partnership has something to do with it.

ArmGunar4104d ago

I don't care about Destiny and the DLC exclusive for PS4 ...

DLC exclusive (thing useless) and timed exclusive are USELESS for industry of video game ... That is a waste of money ...

I have both consoles (PS3/360) and I don't like this kind of deal ...

But at least, Sony invest in new IPs so it doesn't matter.

MS just does this kind of deal, where are exclusive games ?
50 millions $ for GTA add-on ? How millions for DLC useless of COD ?

DragonKnight4104d ago

Hmm. EA absent at the Sony event. EA announces microtransactions will be part of every game from now on. Could this be further proof that MS will block used games? <- You just know that an article like that is coming.

Saigon4104d ago

@bicfitness,

Yeah I read that, but you can't expect some exclusive deal because EA wasn't at the Sony event. From last I recall, it doesn't work like that. Though they were the only major publisher not at the Sony event, means nothing. And the biggest fault regarding this article, speculation, rumor, opinion piece is that EAs event yesterday was all praise the PS4. I expect them not to hold a separate event when the Next Xbox is revealed, I actually expect EA to be at the Next Xbox reveal event, but it doesn't mean anything.

MikeMyers4104d ago

DragonKnight,

Whatever EA does on the next Xbox they will do the same on the PS4. Perhaps EA does not want to release disc based games anymore? I know Sega is going to go that route.

I have to agree with some of the other comments, this exclusive content often times doesn't help gamers. It is just a tool to block gamers to help hardware sales. It's not like Microsoft started all of this, we seen it on the PS2 and Rockstar making GTA exclusive on the console. Microsoft needs to focus on creating its own identity by getting serious with their own ip's and not investing into timed exclusives. If it is something totally designed for the new Xbox hardware that makes use of Kinect or something then yeah, I can see EA wanting to do something exclusive. However the PS4 is going to have an advanced camera so I'm not sure yet what the next Xbox does differently.

Old McGroin4104d ago

For all the Sony heads in here saying M$ are wasting their money on timed DLC and that they can't invest in new IPs, how do you know they haven't invested in IPs? Have you traveled forward in time to all their announcements for the Next Xbox or something?

ZeroX98764104d ago

using more of their cash flow to buy timed exclusive, instead of reinforcing their own portfolio of studios...
well if something good comes out of it, nice move, but I suspect a timed exclusive.

dcbronco4104d ago

People say timed exclusives and DLC are useless but if you look at a game like CoD where Xbox sells 2 or 3 million more copies with a smaller install base and it made a difference. That's an extra ten-30 million dollars for Microsoft. So if you pay 5 million to net 30 million that is money well spent.

Look at Gears. Pay ten million in advertising campaign and get 5 million in sales at $10 per copy royalty for a profit of 40 million. Those deals are very profitable.

NewMonday4104d ago

came across 2 interesting points about this news:

* licensed sports games can't be exclusive(or have exclusive content) to any platform.

* whatever happened to the EA's "unprecedented partnership" with Nintendo?

Daver4104d ago

That is too bad, I liked the Microsoft with Activision and Sony with EA competition.

DOMination-4104d ago

"using more of their cash flow to buy timed exclusive, instead of reinforcing their own portfolio of studios... "

You obviously haven't been keeping tabs on Microsoft - They have purchased a few studios but have put most of their resources into building new ones from the ground up, stealing the best talent from the worlds greatest studios.

22 studios. 7 of which are casual based. Of the 15 remaining, Lionhead, Black Tusk, 343i, Turn 10, Twisted Pixel and Rare are confirmed to have multiple teams working on seperate titles. Is that enough reinforcing for you?

greenpowerz4104d ago (Edited 4104d ago )

Battelfield 4 related

The devs said they would take turns showing love to each company. Probably why Sony payed bungie for the PS4 reveal/deal to supposedly even up the score.

You never know though it could be anything to an exclusive game to online social structure cooperation. EA has some good online ideas.

Lot of people voting the article down all upset LOL. Reminds me when Sony fans voted down superdae finding of the 720 article as fake then after Sony revealed the PS4 what superdae found was written in stone and became gospel, literally.

Ju4104d ago

First time I agree with Green. Sony got Activision & Bungy, I guess MS is getting BF4.

I'm a little bit disappointed, because it obviously runs on the PS4 already (and most likely Durango). But not nice teasing us like this, EA.

SilentNegotiator4104d ago

4 comments before and Jamal pulls out the handy Playstation hater "circle jerk" comment?

And he gets a well said? How about an "immature"?

Anon19744104d ago

Timed exclusivity and exclusive DLC can eat me. I don't care who's doing it.

007Bond4104d ago

Either way this is how to run a business, they get the companies that make the most and then partner up with them. Unlike Idoiots at $ony that just kiss the fans ass and lose tons of dollars.

kreate4104d ago

@daver

Its now Sony/Activision vs MS/EA

At minimum, Blizzard wants world domination using Sony.

_-EDMIX-_4104d ago

@ArmGunar- Agreed 100%. Sony didn't buy into a lot of those timed exclusives and used there money to buy teams.

I'm sorry but I don't see what that DLC did for a 360 gamer when its also on PS3 and PC.

It actually hurts them if anything else, 50 mill is a lot for conent that is just going to be released else where. So...your paying for someone else to not have it? How doet that help 360 owners?

Bioshock, Lost Planet etc are all on other system, what did that do for any 360 owner here in 2013?

I mean, they would had got Bioshock, Lost Planet etc either way, but now its money that won't be spent making a new team to make core games.

MS has like 10 kinect studios! (hate to sound like a broken record, but I still can't get over that)

Now, EA won't make any exclusives for anyone...period. I mean, its funny cause EA would pretty much be hurting themselves, Activision, Ubisoft and Take Two would just be so happy to have EA make a dumb move like that. No game will be exclusive. DLC maybe, but hell, I don't even care for Destiny's exclusive DLC for PS4 and I'm pre-ordering both! LOL!

NateCole4104d ago

Funny. Xbox fans getting excited over time exclusives or exclusive DLC's for multi-plat games. How far they have fallen not just as xbox fans but as gamers.

Enemy4104d ago

Microsoft already starting up the DLC bullsh*t. No new IPs planned confirmed.

BattleAxe4104d ago

EA is making a poor strategic decision and are really pigeon holing themselves. If true, they are not serving my two favorite platforms for buying games with Playstation and Steam.

http://www.google.ca/url?sa...

joab7774103d ago

Of course it is. Sony has a similar agreement with Activision, or at least a growing partnership. It's like everything is upside down. Activision is giving ps4 Destiny and exclusive content, while blizzard is partnering with Diablo 3. The witness is a timed exclusive for the ps4. Assuming Sony had kept previous partnerships, it looked like they were gaining an advantage. Then, we hear that EA, which has had strong ties with Sony is partnering with Microsoft. Very strange. I am sure it involves Respawn. This could be huge for Microsoft. It still doesn't address their 1st party concerns but it hints to the idea that they will continue to buy exclusivity to appease hardcore fans.

The bigger question is this. Does Microsoft think Battlefield or Respawns new game is going to be the new Call of Duty? And even more important, important is this an arrangement between companies with the same vision...free to play and microtransactions. Will we see mmos, games going f2p? Will Microsoft sell their console dirt cheap and charge a subscription fee. It does make sense for what both company's visions.

+ Show (23) more repliesLast reply 4103d ago
Pandemic4104d ago

https://twitter.com/Rob_Cro...

''Just to clarify, the CVG story doesn't suggest EA titles will be exclusive to next Xbox. No one has said that to me''

bicfitness4104d ago

Please don't bring your reading skills, information hunting or facts to N4G. They're not welcome here. This place is only for rabid speculation and delusion. /s

finbars754104d ago

I know people are blowing this right out of proportion.EA is still with Sony especially BF4 which they made clear was going to be shown at E3 for the PS4.Im sure they will have lots of cool stuff wiht the new xbox.We will just have to wait and see but I guarntee its not going to be Respawns new game especially after the bad fallout they had with Microsoft.I was thinking more along the lines of Fuse due to te fact Insominac was part of the Sony era and would like show they can do more with MS then Sony.You never know.

nukeitall4104d ago

I don't really like EA, and by far prefer Activision.

Activision is a straight shot company with no BS. You get what you pay, take it or leave it. With EA, you got the online pass BS and their Origin crap that has nasty end user terms that are known to be used against gamers.

If EA doesn't like what you say on a forum, they will ban your access to all your Origin games!

InMyOpinion4104d ago

"Activision is a straight shot company with no BS."

Don't know if serious...

WarThunder4104d ago

Activision is as s**t as EA along with MS, 3 greedy companies.

listenkids4104d ago

@WarThunder

I wouldn't say they're as bad, they both release the same amount of games, the difference for Activision comes from never forcing an online pass, even fucking Dead Space 3 had it, which meant I couldn't rent it. Server wise, EA are running on ancient also, and pass the blame if something doesn't work.

pompombrum4104d ago

Activision are hardly saints but next to EA, they're certainly the lesser of two evils.

ziggurcat4104d ago

"Activision is a straight shot company with no BS. You get what you pay, take it or leave it."

tell that to PS3 owners who have paid full price for broken ports.

KwietStorm_BLM4104d ago

Activision is a what? Ouch..my head

Ju4104d ago

I always preferred EA. EA created new IP; Can't say that from Activision. Bungie is an exception; but they bought into it. What else is successful (recently) besides CoD???

_-EDMIX-_4104d ago

@Ju-Agreed! I mean people can hate EA all day, but EA really has some of the best teams in terms of 3rd party's. I see me owning like 3 EA games before next year is even done. BF4, ME4 (if the rumors are true) and what ever else is made by them.

Bioware, Dice, Visceral etc are all great teams. And yes EA made a bunch of new IP's this gen, I sorry but I just can't not support such a thing. New IP's are always welcome and EA did a great job this gen.

joab7774103d ago

Did u even read about what Activision did to Infinity ward, or west and zampella? If u believe their story, it was beyond messed up. Anyway, all gaming companies r up against it right now. There is a lot on the line this gen. Most are branching out to remain viable. EA has talked about what they want to do. I don't blame them. Their first priority is making money. Yeah, they are dicks sometimes but not everyone can be valve.

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Persistantthug4104d ago

I don't think Microsoft GAMES has the budget to outright buy exclusivity on popular games anymore.

But who knows?

bumnut4104d ago (Edited 4104d ago )

Microsoft has lots of money, mostly from the software side of the business.

The gaming division could run at a loss forever and it wouldn't matter, thats how much money they have.

Daver4104d ago

@bumnut

That is not true. They dont have unlimited money for their gaming division just because they are making money in other things. You need some economy basis

Persistantthug4104d ago (Edited 4104d ago )

Microsoft has virtually unlimited money, but Microsoft GAMES does not.
Did you ever wonder why MS had to close ENSEMBLE? Why did they have to shut down ACES? DIGITAL ANVIL? Why FASA?

Did you take notice how, for a while, BIOWARE was practically in bed with Microsoft? Then did you notice that EA came right in and scooped up MS's good buddy BIOWARE without hardly any protest?

The reason, is because MS GAMES has a budget.
And while MS Corp has lots of cash, it cant be discounted how under fire MS is from the likes of GOOGLE and APPLE ( phone & tablet market ), as well as the rest of the web and internet factions that are preventing Microsoft's foothold.

Microsoft Corp has its hands firmly full atm, and video games is clearly not a priority for them.
Microsoft GAMES clearly has a budget.

Kurt Russell4103d ago (Edited 4103d ago )

Careful of those, too much and you could get cancer.

shutUpAndTakeMyMoney4104d ago (Edited 4104d ago )

DLC timed kinect exclusives hope..
BF4 kinect!!!

JamieL4104d ago

Dude F#%k your money, just shut up.

OmegaSlayer4104d ago

I wonder how much money EA gets from MS, because for EA (or whoever signs these kind of deals) this is only bad pr.

AngelicIceDiamond4104d ago

I don't understand the anger, Sony has partnerships to? Sony was only taking a page out of MS's book with the whole exclusive content buissness.

So MS could be partnering up with EA boo hoo. The sun sets in the west and rises in the east the world keeps on spinning fanboys should of saw this coming a mile away. This is nothing different considering its MS.

xtremeimport4104d ago

So Sony and MS flipped partnerships.

Sony announces exclusive content for Destiny which is an Activision game and now they're saying MS is gonna announce something along the lines with EA.

Honestly, I'd rather Sony have kept their deal with EA than Activision. But if this wins them the CoD crowd,I suppose thats a big win for Sony...if thats what's happening.

purely speculation.

donman14104d ago

Well this now explains why EA was missing from Sony PS4 reveal press conference. Hmmm I wonder what this exclusivity will be.

showtimefolks4104d ago

EA has always had a great partnership with sony and have done exclusive dlc too

EA may show up at MS event but i wouldn't read too much into it, the days of 3rd party exclusive games are done

Blasphemy4104d ago

DLC on the disc and microtransactions. Have fun with that xbots. LOL

OneAboveAll4104d ago

To hell with Respawn, show dat BF4 with 64 players!

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Cocozero4104d ago

First Activision now EA, MS sure knows how to work with third parties.

bicfitness4104d ago (Edited 4104d ago )

Did you actually read the article? Its referring to timed DLC or staggered release (at best), not an outright 3rd party exclusive.

Those are dead.

What we will see is something like the Activision/ Sony partnership. A "strategic" partnership.

Edit: Well your point about Activision was either erroneous or lacking clarity, as THIS next gen, Sony had them up on stage. LAST gen, Sony had a similar partnership with EA. So either way your comment is misguided. In the context of your own words, you aren't making any sense.

fermcr4104d ago (Edited 4104d ago )

3rd party exclusive is not dead, and to prove it there's Bayonetta 2 for WiiU, Gear of War series for Xbox 360 and quite a few 3rd party exclusives for PS3 (last one coming to mind is Ni Nu Kuni).

If a company, like Microsoft, Nintendo or Sony, pay the costs or make some kind of deal with the developer, they can have a exclusive with 3rd party.

EDIT:
@Kingdom Come.
I did read his comment. He said 3rd party exclusive was dead, and I proved him wrong by giving him examples... then he edited his comment...

@grayfoxx881 "The reason Bayonetta 2 is on the WiiU is because both Sony and Microsoft passed on it"
That's my point. Nintendo payed for the development or made some kind of deal with Platinum to have a 3rd party exclusive.

Kingdom Come4104d ago

"Did you actually read" his comment?

grayfoxx8814104d ago

The reason Bayonetta 2 is on the WiiU is because both Sony and Microsoft passed on it. It's not like Nintendo threw the most money at Platinum. Nintendo was the only party interested.

greenpowerz4104d ago (Edited 4104d ago )

No he read the article and it assumes what the deal is as you are doing/hoping.

Those devs that were at Sony's reveal will probably be at MSFT's reveal with exclusive deals with MSFT as well(even Destiny no doubt about it). Why didn't EA show up at Sony's reveal?

Timed exclusive content/timed exclusive games can make or break a game on the mistreated platform. Many people smell decay on games not on their platform at the same time.

EA must be impressed with the 720 hardware and software to not show up at Sony's reveal then make a exclusive deal with MSFT.

_-EDMIX-_4104d ago

@Green- Sorry you didn't hear the news.

http://www.playstationlifes...

LOL....WRONG!!!!!!!!!! "“Not being at PS Meeting was not indicative at all. We’re maintaining a balance between other parties."

http://nononsensegamers.com...

"We're very excited about Sony's platform"

Why on earth do you guys read so much in to this crap. So...EA just hates money now? LOL! Mind you they stated BF4 being shown on PS4. Now that doesn't mean it won't be on 720 or that its a timed exclusive, I'm quite sure of it, they are just saying it based on 720 not actually being fully unveiled. Nothing more.

To hear "timed exclusive games" LOL! When this is what EA JUST SAID is too funny. I don't think you even know what EA has stated about the PS4. Nothing stated points to any partnership with anyone. Other then for some stupid DLC crap. This would be EA's most dumbest move, based on Activition, Ubisoft, Take two etc capitalizing on it.

If anything, this is what EA wants teh most, 2 powerful systems along with PC. Knowing PS4 has PC architecture is something they clearly LOVE, it now means its easier for them to port there games. Being on one platform gives pretty much zero advantage sales wise. Even if you are taking full advantage of the system, is there a reason why they can't make 2 versions then? LOL. Its not going to happen buddy. This might be the stupidest ideas I've seen any tied to prove.

Those days are over. LOL.

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bicfitness4104d ago (Edited 4104d ago )

@ fermcr

PAYING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT of a licensed IP kind of guarantees it will be exclusive for a while. Unless the person paying for it is an idiot. That's what we call 2nd party, not 3rd. And essentially what Nintendo offered with B2.

Edit: Also, nitpicking examples of 3rd party loyalty, when Mass Effect, FF, and almost every other 3rd party AAA game is multiplatform doesn't support your argument very well. Please stop stealth editing too. Stick by what you said. Ni No Kuni was exclusive because Level-5 hate MS since the cancellation of that game way back and have a great relationship with Sony. That is a RARE and ISOLATED instance. It is not the norm.

I'm out, this place is a real circus today.

Edit #2: I find it funny that you would accuse me of editing when I've watched your comment change the initial body of the text 3 times in less than 5 minutes. When I "edit" something, I mark it as such.
3rd party exclusivity is no longer the norm with AAA releases. It is something that happens on a case by case basis or it porting to another platform simply doesn't seem financially appealing. When you look at the PS2 era and the sheer volume of exclusives on ALL platforms (GC, Xbox, DC) and compare it to this one just passing, I don't know how - or why - you would deny that.

supremacy4104d ago

Well what about Yakuza, or Tutsunoko vs Capcom, Sonic colors, Diablo 3, Dust 514,Steel battallion, Lost oddassy,blue dragon, Valkarie chronicles, and those 3 exclusive rpgs coming to ps3 this year.?

kupomogli4103d ago (Edited 4103d ago )

@Supremacy.

Diablo 3 isn't exclusive, even if it isn't on the 360 and Next Box, although I doubt that, it's still on PC.

Yakuza has a high fanbase in Japan. That's PS3 and Nintendo country over there. Even if it didn't, the game is very story heavy with a ton of voice acting and CG cutscenes. It'd be like Metal Gear Solid 4 being released to the 360. 27 DVDs.

Microsoft bought exclusive rights to Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon, as well as Eternal Sonata and Tales of Vesperia. Namco's titles didn't sell well and were timed exclusive so were eventually ported to the PS3, although Vesperia PS3 was never localized in the west :(. Other RPGs have also released on the 360 and they've sold poorly. Multiconsole titles.

It's a miracle that Namco even localized the RPGs they've released. I'm assuming they never intended Graces F or Xillia to be released in the US, and changed their minds afterwards.

As for NIS, Compile Heart, and Gust. They're extremely niche developers who happen to have good ties with Sony. These developers are the ones you see multiple games on the PS3 every year.

miDnIghtEr20C_SfF4104d ago

Yep, this is HUGE! Even if it's time DLC, or staggered release dates. Funny how many SDF disagrees you got already. Funny how they say if Sony has the presser first,.. that's a win for them. They came out first.

But now, huge game releases could come first to Xbox, or Map Packs.. just like COD this gen. And they're acting like this is no big deal.

I'll tell you what... being able to play BF 4 two weeks to a month earlier on the xbox will sure suck for people waiting that time to play the game on the ps4.

chela4104d ago ShowReplies(1)
4104d ago Replies(1)
shikamaroooo4104d ago

Read the article first ladies an gentlemen.

"Due to the necessities of multiplatform development and publishing, it is likely that such a partnership will not extend beyond exclusive downloadable content, or staggered release dates. An outright exclusive EA game on the Next Xbox would be unlikely, and certainly a major coup for Microsoft if such a deal were to be secured".

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150°

Microsoft to Add Copilot AI to Video Games

Microsoft recently revealed its plans to incorporate Copilot directly into video games, with Minecraft being the first showcased example.

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xpgained.co.uk
Fishy Fingers4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

F*** AI

"Hey Copilot, what's a good meme to prove I dislike AI".... https://giphy.com/clips/sou...

Einhander19724d ago

Two trillion dollar company that just can't wait to put as many people possible out of work as fast as possible.

It feels like every single thing they do is making gaming worse and destroying the industry.

4d ago
4d ago
4d ago
darthv723d ago

....you know it takes people to program the AI.... right? It isnt like it is sentient. We haven't reach skynet level of situation or anywhere close to the matrix just yet.

That's next Thursday.

Einhander19722d ago (Edited 2d ago )

It takes a people to program the AI then that AI is used for who knows how many games eliminating countless jobs which only grows as AI is used for more and more game creation functions.

What you're saying is so ridiculously short sighted and truly larking any kind of understanding and foresight.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2d ago
CaptainFaisal3d ago

Why all the hate? Im actually excited about this! Always wanted this kind of immersion, and an AI companion with me all the time helping me out knowing the status of my skills/inventory/progress and giving me tips on the best approach or how to craft something specific is game changing for the industry.

Hate all you want about AI, but this is just the start and I can see the potential already. You wont be complaining in the next 5-10 years about this, but rather complain if a game hasn’t implemented it.

MrDead3d ago

Yes we can't wait for the work of others to be used without the need to pay them so that MS can profit even more from the people they fire.

I_am_Batman3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

There is no chance I'd ever use something like this, especially if it's not part of the core game design, but a layer on top of it. It's way too much handholding. Many games already feel like busy work, because they don't let the player figure things out on their own. Having a real-time interactive guide defeats the purpose of playing the game in the first place in my opinion.

If this were to become the standard like you predict, we'll see more and more video games get away with bad design, because people will just be used to ask for help from the AI companion anyway.

Number1TailzFan3d ago

Well Nintendo don't need this with some of their games these days, with invincible characters, items, easy bosses etc.. they do the hand holding built in

helicoptergirl3d ago

Takes "hand holding" in games to a whole new level.

BlackDoomAx2d ago

Because human nature xD Almost every new technology had these kind of comments.

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80°

There are no "thoughtful" ads in video games, EA

There are no thoughtful ads in Video Games, EA. Leave them be.

Read Full Story >>
videogamer.com
northpaws7d ago

I think the only type of games that can gets away with it would be sport games, having those sponsors ads on the side like on real life.

But don't put freaking Doritos ads in Star Wars or something, it breaks the immersion. If it is a pop-up ads, then big no.

Hofstaderman7d ago

EA can thoughtfully eff themselves.

Makersbreath27d ago

EA coming back for the crown of being perceived as the worst company in gaming.

Chocoburger6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

One of my favorite series is the THPS franchise, and it was packed with ads, but it didn't bother me. Posters for skateboard companies, JEEP, and Nokia phones. It did sort of fit in with the game world, but that was the past, these days ad would be intentionally intrusive or unskippable loading screen type of imagery. Ugh, I know EA would do it in a horrible fashion. Screw them.

70°

Activision team is opening a new game studio in Poland 'Elsewhere Entertainment' to build new AAA IP

Microsoft's Activision subsidiary announced today that it is opening a new game development studio to take advantage of the huge talent pool growing in Poland. It'll be the second Activision studio based in the region, joining Infinity Ward Krakow, although this studio is, in fact, not working on Call of Duty.

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windowscentral.com
Psychonaut857d ago

They’re not working on Call of Duty? Give it time.