Microsoft has made an exciting announcement for video game enthusiasts in the United Kingdom. The company is preparing to revolutionize the industry by including the highly anticipated “Call of Duty” video game in its subscription service, a departure from the traditional independent release of the game.
A source familiar with the matter revealed that the official announcement will be made at Microsoft’s annual Xbox showcase on June 9. However, the details were disclosed on the condition of anonymity as the plans are still confidential. Despite requests for a response, Microsoft has not yet provided any comments on the matter.
The news of Microsoft’s plan was first reported by The Wall Street Journal last Friday. The company acquired “Call of Duty” as part of its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, finalized in a significant $69 billion deal late last year.
The “Call of Duty” franchise has been a major success story in the entertainment world, generating over $30 billion in revenue over the years. Historically, new editions of the game have been released annually with a price tag of around $70 in recent years.
This development follows an announcement by Xbox President Sarah Bond, who revealed Microsoft’s intention to release all first-party Xbox games on Game Pass on their launch day. For those who are unfamiliar, Game Pass is Microsoft’s subscription service offering access to games from Xbox and other developers for a fee.
In recent years, the company has been aggressively expanding its Netflix-style game subscription services as part of its efforts to challenge the dominance of Sony Corp.’s PlayStation consoles. In a February statement, Microsoft disclosed that Game Pass had seen a significant increase in subscribers, with the number rising to 34 million from the 25 million reported in 2022.
Industry analysts have commented on the potential impact of adding “Call of Duty” to Game Pass. While they believe that the move could attract more people to the service due to the game’s large and loyal fan base, some concerns have been raised about its potential effects on the overall sales of the title.
“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III,” released in November 2023, is currently the second best-selling game this year, trailing behind Sony’s “Helldivers II,” according to industry tracker Circana.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s decision to include “Call of Duty” in its subscription service is a significant and industry-changing move. Video game enthusiasts in the UK are eagerly anticipating further news and updates on this exciting development.