920°

XBL $10 price hike was caused by ACTIVISION

Bobby Kotick CEO of Activision once said that “We’ve heard that 60 per cent of [Microsoft’s] subscribers are principally on Live because of Call Of Duty, we don’t really participate financially in that income stream." but to the recent XBL $10 price hike that was announced in August and implemented on November 1st, Kotick has totally changed mood now he is saying "Activision does enjoy a very modest amount of the subscription fees".

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T9X694927d ago

Considering COD is the biggest game on PS3 as well, I wonder if this jackass is going to try to start charging PS3 users to play COD online in the future. This guy is such a money hungry prick, I almost feel insulted buying Black Ops new even though I support Treyarch but despise Activision, mainly Kotick.

ajcastillo4927d ago

And now it even doesnt matter if you dont buy any CALL OF DUTY GAME, because if you pay the XBOX LIVE GOLD suscription you are giving them $5.

blumatt4927d ago (Edited 4927d ago )

The day Activision starts charging to play CoD online on the PS3, is the day I will STOP playing CoD games. Personally, I like Battlefield BC2 (PS3) better anyway. And like the guy above me said, if this article is true, it would mean that regardless of whether Xbox Live Gold people PLAY CoD, they're STILL giving Activision a little bit of money.
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Hell what if other devs. demand a little piece of the pie and want some of Live's subscription fees? I guess Live Gold will eventually be up to around $100 a year. Where does this greed stop?? MS needs to tell Activision to go to hell and not give them anymore money. Hell, they just made over half a billion dollars from Black Ops. Jeez

Godmars2904927d ago

More likely, since this puts them more in bed with MS, it probably means the 360 will get more Activision titles. If COD doesn't go exclusive, since it might also mean PS3-only owners might buy a 360 to play COD.

Biggest4927d ago (Edited 4927d ago )

He'll be greatly disappointed if something like that comes around. I doubt more than 10% of PS3 gamers would pay to play CoD online. One of the draws to PSN has always been the fact that it's free. Changing that would make people leave CoD and PSN. Sony wouldn't allow it.

Edit: One outcome I could see would be Activision and EA furthering their partnerships with Xbox and Playstation and every year we would have CoD vs. MoH.

OtherWhiteMeat4927d ago (Edited 4927d ago )

@Godmars290
Making COD or any other game an Xbox 360 exclusive wouldn't make any financial sense,both consoles combined are nearly 90 million so why cut your sales nearly in half. Timed DLC from Activision is how this battle will be fought.

T9X694927d ago

Money talks. MS paid $50 million dollars for timed exclusive DLC, not even a game, 50 mill for some fucking DLC. I wouldn't be surprised if MS offers them money to make COD exclusive to 360. If that doesn't happen, I bet your ass that pick Kotick will be telling Sony he wants to charge a separate online monthly fee for COD on PS3. Kotick wants more, more, more, if he can squeeze 50 cents out of COD on PS3 a month, that POS will do it.

IronAva4927d ago

@Biggest

So if Sony said you have to pay $20 a month to play GT5 online, there would be a ton of people on here saying that is not a bad deal. Games are like drugs, people will go where ever they have to to get their fix. Also why does it matter what a company does with the money you give them? I could care less if the guy that runs the carry-out near my house uses the money I gave him to fulfill his dirty habits. If you really knew what other companies did with their money, most of you on here would not buy a thing.

The Wood4927d ago

Whatever ms paid activision to make it exclusive wouldn't be enough. Activision loves money as you can see so why would they lose out on all those extra map packs on top of the ps3 version itself....not over koticks dead body

JUDALATION4927d ago (Edited 4927d ago )

LMAO NO WONDER XBOX has the better verson... Lucky for me Im in the Killzone 3 Beta and its a thousand times better than Black ops... alls they need to do is add more guns, fix the spawns and matchmaking to make this the greatest fps of all time... eat THAT kotass!

Oh... and by the way... MAG and socom 4 WHOOP call of dutys arse as well!

Biggest4927d ago

You can say whatever you want to make you feel better about whatever it is you need to feel better about, IronAva. The truth is that people don't have to pay for PSN and they won't have to pay for PSN. Call of Duty is all about the online experience these days. Gran Turismo 5 is not. People that care about Gran Turismo might like having online as a feature, but it isn't something they need to play the game. Since it won't happen, this is a pointless conversation (Good job trolling). Gran Turismo 5 would not be played online by very many people if they added a cost. Sorry, bro.

IronAva4927d ago

@Biggest

Again, what I said has nothing to do with making me feel better. Hey to make "YOU" feel better lets change GT5(even though it has an online option) to Killzone 3 is that better for you. If Sony or even Nintendo were to charge for one of their big titles to play online, people will pay. How am I a troll when I said nothing at all to attack you or this board. People are quick to judge if one does not agree with their opinion.

VenomProject4927d ago

@IronAva

Who would PAY to play a video game like an FPS?

MMOs, I can understand, it's almost like a second life and there's so much content. An FPS though? Yeah, not even Killzone 3 would make me PAY to play online.

Screw that.

Muffins12234927d ago Show
4927d ago
evrfighter4927d ago

i called it. i don't feel like browsing my history but ya

psman0124926d ago

T9X69, I think this is the first time I have ever seen a comment of yours that has more agrees than disagrees :P

DaTruth4926d ago

Can't believe none of you have figured it out yet!

Why do you think the game is advertised like a 360 exclusive?

+ Show (16) more repliesLast reply 4926d ago
dredgewalker4927d ago

I've already written off Activision games from my list. I would gladly miss out on some of their good games than to give them a piece of my hard earned money.

OtherWhiteMeat4927d ago

Or you could just buy them used.Activision doesn't make a dime on used game sales.

Sevir044927d ago

to activision! so buying it used doesn't matter if you ARE on XBL and a PAYING gold member!!! so 360 gamers and fanboys get screwed regardless!.. and i wouldn't doubt this seeing as MS is in bed with activision. they paid 3 years provisions of exclusive content for all things COD for the xbox platform! This little transaction was probably part of the deal to raise XBL prices since this was announced in June, THE SAME MONTH they announced the 3 year exclusive deal with activision at E3 for all things COD! so i believe this is true!!! MS raised prices of XBL so gamers on the 360 could be weaseled into paying activition a subscription to COD!!! LOL! its funny but i feel bad.

Years ago it was EA with the bad Name Now it's activision and its couldnt be more accurate. these bastards along with their head honcho Kotic and MS is screwing the gamers pocket in this recession!

Thank Goodness for the PSN and i'm glad i dont own a single activision title. Some how i'm suddenly turned off Bungie's next game as it bears the name activision as it's publisher! NONE OF my Money will go to activision! NONE! i'll just borrow my friends copy of Bungie's next game on PS3!

vhero4927d ago

Technically he does but not because ppl subscribe. It works like this. Suckers pay MS for playing games online (suckers as you can play for FREE on PS3 and PC) they don't give a percentage to companies, what they do is use money from Live to pay for exclusive content e.g. early map packs in activisions case.

princejb1344927d ago

so in the end xbl owners get fucked and psn owners dont
this game is not worth the extra 60 cents to play online
so many dam glitches

BillOreilly4926d ago

well the ps3 vesion is glitched and shit but the 360 version is acually good. Just saying. Damn those ms suckers getting good versions and exclusive maps/games/features. Baa Humbug!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

visualb4927d ago

and who gave this man so much power? WHO?

the gamers who bought this mans games =)

you are to blame above all...sorry to say ='(

like the saying "the people get the leader they deserve"

in this case

the gamers get the extortion they deserve...they did vote with their own money after all...sad =(

Eddie201014927d ago (Edited 4927d ago )

Activision and Kotick are the Mafia of the gaming industry, seems a bit like extortion except Microsoft won't take the hit and instead pass the extortion buck to the consumer and then add an extra fiver on for good measure for Microsoft. The shot that's gone down this generation of gaming consoles is unbelievable.

pixelsword4927d ago

Hey, I thought it was because of all of those "great" features that they hiked up the price?

Well xbl/non-net neutrality fans, you were all fine and dandy before you knew so don't complain now.

iamtehpwn4927d ago (Edited 4927d ago )

So, has anyone else noticed that Bobby's smile looks an awful lot like.. http://img829.imageshack.us...

CrIpPeN4926d ago

he got a face you just want to punch in the face.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4926d ago
thematrix12984927d ago

Vince and Jason left IW because Activision wanted to charge monthly fee for their next MW. Those guys were gamers once and understand how loyal fans would react. Bobby is a greedy d1ck. I hope to god that their monthly subscription COD fails so bad that stock holders all sell the stocks.

CrIpPeN4926d ago

yeah they probably put COD to see the ground as Tony Hawks and Guitar Hero.

Muffins12234927d ago

him and the president of valve

scar204927d ago

Wow dat sux big time for you 360 players.
I think his momma deserves this.

gypsygib4927d ago

That's why he doesn't care about PS3

rob60214926d ago

yea no wonder they put half the effort into the PS3 version - now it makes sense, they actually want people buying it on the 360 instead.

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140°

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 Fingers20h ago(Edited 19h ago)

F*** AI

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

Einhander197220h 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.

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CaptainFaisal9h 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.

MrDead8h 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_Batman8h ago(Edited 8h 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.

Number1TailzFan7h 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

helicoptergirl8h ago

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

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60°

Call Of Duty On Game Pass Is A Big Risk Big Reward Gamble

Discover the impact of Microsoft's decision to include Call Of Duty in Game Pass. Explore the pros and cons and speculate about future changes.

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gamersocialclub.ca
Elda1d 21h ago

Most folks that have a Gamepass subscription will not spend the $70, they will use Gamepass instead to play COD. MS will most likely make their money from some solely PC players & some solely PS5 owners. Even some PC players may opt to use Gamepass instead of spending $70. I would think MS would want to make every dime they could from retail sales. As long as they put new releases of COD day one on Gamepass, MS will lose out on some sales of COD.

porkChop1d 19h ago

COD makes truck loads of money on microtransactions. That's likely the play. Get more people in the door through Game Pass and sell more microtransactions. Have a steady stream of events to keep people interested so they keep their sub, and then just the sub alone would double the revenue from that player each year.

Elda1d 16h ago (Edited 1d 16h ago )

Buying the game at $70 a pop including the deluxe versions is much better than people subs for a dollar to $15 a month. Die hard fans that usually buy the game also buy into the transactions. Again putting any new COD day one on Gamepass is definitely a sure loss of making some retail money for every copy of COD. With the last iteration of COD being bad most likely people are going to sub to Gamepass to play COD basically saving themselves $70, that is a loss of retail sales.

Kakashi Hatake1d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

Most that don't have Gamepass will just buy the game and he done with it. People that do will just result in a retail sale being lost. Some will buy the subscription for the month then be done. This is lose lose. Casuals aren't going to pay almost 300 dollars a year for COD.

ApocalypseShadow1d 16h ago

The reality is that Microsoft already knows the answer as stated by them in their documents. PlayStation gamers have built up an ecosystem of games and they aren't migrating over and dropping what they have to buy an Xbox to play one game in a service you have to pay monthly for. Cheaper to just buy the game. And, I'd bet many casual COD players don't know or care about the acquisition.

Which is why Jim Ryan pushed to make sure that that one game continues to be sold as usual on Sony's platform to keep the status quo. Every other IP owned by Activision are worthless. And Activision has shown they don't care about other IP like Tony Hawk by cancelling them.

Sales WILL be lost on Xbox. That's for certain. Microsoft can only hope that Xbox gamers continue to buy up those micro transactions to make up for those lost sales. Only positive for Microsoft is that they get to dip into PlayStation game sales that we all know from history and NPD, that Sony's console sells more games. But increase subs from Sony fans for game pass? Not happening in any way that matters.

Sony, on the other hand, can have their cake and eat it too. They get COD and they can continue dropping more content for their fastest selling GaaS game which is Hell Divers 2. As the game passes 12 million sales and doesn't beat you over the head with micro transactions, Sony has a win win situation and can support the game getting more content to keep players engaged.

As a side note, COD is probably going to turn into some version of Sea of Fortnite Duty. Games as a service sitting in game pass being milked dry with micro transactions and constant updates making you feel you're playing an unfinished game that keeps going and going with no soul.

Tedakin1d 15h ago

I'm not sure why everyone is acting like COD is a surprise. That was always the plan. They said in court during the FTC case they were doing this. They have said repeatedly and recently all first party games are going to Gamepass.

badboyz091d 8h ago

gamepass like PS Plus are rental services. Games like COD you buy not rent. So in my case unless I plan on keeping gamepass for 2yrs minimum than the benefit of adding cod is pointless.

80°

5 Reasons Why Call Of Duty On Xbox Game Pass Is A Big Deal

We've put together 5 reasons why we believe the arrival of the Call of Duty franchise on Xbox Game Pass will be a big deal for Microsoft.

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twistedvoxel.com
peppeaccardo1d 20h ago

Throwing bananas at the monkeys' cage.