Activision pursuing 'online monetization models' for Call of Duty franchise
by Ben Gilbert 
{ Nov 15th 2009 at 11:30AM }
"It's definitely an aspiration that we see potential in, particularly as we look at different business models to monetize the online gameplay," Tippl says, according to an IGN report. "I think it's been mutually beneficial, and you should expect us to test and ultimately launch additional online monetization models of some of some of our biggest franchises like Call of Duty." He also notes that "there is demand from the core gamers to pay up for that," which likely means that many of you who got Activision's survey back in June supported this.
Shame on you.
[Via CVG]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
freaparn @ Nov 15th 2009 11:32AM
Weeeeell, now we're fucked. Let the blame game... ensue!
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 15th 2009 12:38PM
I'm not sure who to blame. Kodick? Or the morons who would actually make this successful...
freaparn @ Nov 15th 2009 12:45PM
You don't blame a weasel for being a weasel. Being a moron is largely an opt-in program.
Stevetrop @ Nov 15th 2009 12:54PM
If they feel they can get money from folks who would be dedicated to the franchise and pay for it on a monthly basis I'm sure they'll go for it,
Mike @ Nov 15th 2009 6:02PM
Let the milking begin.
But I'd do it if I was them, they'll make a ton of money for it. It's pretty difficult to say no when people are willing to give you their money.
Let's just hope they don't hurt the Call of Duty brand in the process the way they have the Guitar Hero franchise.
Kurian @ Nov 16th 2009 5:39AM
ROFL! Monthly rip off for an FPS. Just LOL.
Leathersoup @ Nov 16th 2009 2:34PM
No... We're not all f'd. Some of us have stopped supporting Activision.
PedoJokerBear [Planeteer | Power of Gall Bladder] @ Nov 15th 2009 11:32AM
." He also notes that "there is demand from the core gamers to pay up for that,"
PedoJokerBear [Planeteer | Power of Gall Bladder] @ Nov 15th 2009 11:32AM
geeeeeeeeeeeeeeet the fuck outta here
Big_Lozbowski [Planeteer | Power of Shomer Shabbos] @ Nov 15th 2009 11:46AM
Yeah this is crazy. The game is $60 I'm sure I'll be suckered into getting DLC maps AND they want to charge for a monthly subscription. Ummm NO!!!
Do think this is someething they can implement on existing COD games or would it be the next COD game?
If this is true then when is M.A.G out??
Markez @ Nov 15th 2009 12:19PM
Don't forget you'll need a disc unlock code that you need to buy in order to play that retail copy you just bought :P
joeythehobo @ Nov 15th 2009 12:24PM
he also notes that "monetization models of some of some of our biggest franchise"
(of some of some)
The Baron @ Nov 15th 2009 1:00PM
If they have the balls to charge a subscription fee, they'd better start providing the new maps for free and give the level of content people expect from an MMO.
On the other hand, it's still a dumb idea.
WiredKnight: Keeper of Threads @ Nov 15th 2009 1:00PM
I'm a core gamer. Pre-ordered the hell out of MW2. If I have to pay a monthly fee for the next one, I'm done.
I wonder though, if so many people are against it, what's to stop us from just playing MW2 instead a new subscription-based one? Are they gonna shut down the servers? Wait, it can't be....is THIS the reason they left out dedicated servers!?
the_pop @ Nov 15th 2009 1:15PM
because we all know how people love to pay for stuff that they could previously get for free!
mattimus @ Nov 15th 2009 5:26PM
"is THIS the reason they left out dedicated servers!?"
I'm gonna say... yes.
alinos @ Nov 15th 2009 5:49PM
if they wanna charge me for thier service they better install dedicated servers around the globe then cos id have no problem paying for access to what we had in cod 4 now that ive tried the evil listen servers but even then id probs steer clear mw2 isnt as good as it was hyped to be dedis or not and it isnt worth a monthly fee
Prof. Von Manifest (aka the caterpillar in your buttermilk) [PSN: Manifest37] @ Nov 15th 2009 7:37PM
I'm eager for MW3 but if this is true, I'm done!!!!
I'll just wait for someone to upload the story/ending on youtube or wikipedia.
There's no way I'll ever pay for something I've already bought!!!!
captainprotonx @ Nov 16th 2009 9:35AM
Boycott...THE RIGHT WAY!
stephen2553 @ Nov 15th 2009 11:32AM
Looks like modern warfare is going to end up like kotor....
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 15th 2009 12:53PM
Wat? KotOR had two games, which they're following up with an MMO. That was a timespan of seven years (by the time TOR comes out).
Call of Duty has had six games, in six years. This isn't saying 'We're making a CoDMMO, this is saying that they're charging for it like an MMO.
BioWare>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Infinity Ward.
Shadowfax (PSN: u2fan4894) @ Nov 15th 2009 11:33AM
NOOO!!!!!!!!!!
*calms down
Well Call of Duty, we've had a good run...
XGM @ Nov 15th 2009 12:14PM
I guess its time to move on... I hear Bad Company 2 is doing pretty crazy stuff like dedicated servers and mod support.
RKN (Steam ID: nerdydesi) @ Nov 15th 2009 1:14PM
Gasp........UNTHINKABLE!!!
t_m @ Nov 16th 2009 3:21AM
But does it have Mouse and Keyboard support, or Graphics Options? Huh? huh?
HitNRun @ Nov 15th 2009 11:39AM
No big loss.
Call of Duty's a fun franchise and everything - usually - but it isn't some revolutionary, Blizzard-esque piece of fan-obsession. Support for the titles is a mile wide, but an inch thick.
In fact, the series would be pretty much dead by now if IW didn't insist to Activision that they be allowed to depart from World War 2. That breathed major life into the brand.
They'll do it, because they're Activision and he's Bobby Kotick. And we won't pay for it, because it's not an MMO and there are two dozen multiplayer shooters that come out every year. Modern Warfare just happens to be the most enjoyable one, but it would lose that distinction with this board-room nonsense.
Beatz @ Nov 15th 2009 11:59AM
You deserve four hearts, sir.
That Burning Sensation @ Nov 15th 2009 12:33PM
I wouldn't pay for it if it WAS an MMO, in fact that is why I like FPSs... because they are not MMOs. Make Call of Duty a grinding chore fest that I have to PAY for? No thanks.
clanboru15 @ Nov 15th 2009 1:26PM
I seriously hope this. People will pay for it regardless, but hopefully the masses will realize that they are getting ripped off.
AltairDusk @ Nov 15th 2009 4:58PM
@HitNRun:
Well said. I wish we could upvote that right to the top of the comment section.
Mortifiedocalot @ Nov 15th 2009 9:39PM
"Modern Warfare just happens to be the most enjoyable one"
Well that will very from one person to another, but I doubt it's good enough to support itself with a monthly fee while "Semi realistic shooter number 2" over there will be free to play with all the little goodies people like with PC gaming. Hell, I was afraid MW2 would kill the MW on community, but those fears have been dashed for me.
harusame @ Nov 16th 2009 7:57AM
I'm sure there are millions of idiots who will happily pay Activision $10 a month just to play their favorite game ever Modern Warfare 3. Just because you are smart and sane doesn't mean everyone is.
WINterfang ( Now with the power to piss you off ) @ Nov 15th 2009 11:40AM
This can work, but in a Call of Duty spin-off the game will be free to download but it will have a monthly fee and it will be pretty big and expansive, last gen graphics but huge in scale.
Markez @ Nov 15th 2009 11:40AM
*spits coffee
WHY IS THERE COFFEE IN MY IRISH COFFEE!? BLECH
I mean I think map packs are an example of monetization of online games like this, but I wonder specific what other directions they'd take it. Certain game modes, guns, just flat out pay to play?
Mr Mobius - the wandering artist @ Nov 15th 2009 5:46PM
You have to pay 10 Microsoft points for every 1000 bullets you want to use in Modern Warfare 3?
exvash2 @ Nov 15th 2009 11:43AM
The best part of the CoD MMO is the peer-to-peer game servers. No hackers or cheaters on the big servers like WoW runs.
NintendoJunkie @ Nov 15th 2009 11:52AM
I could see it now...bullet farming.
jackal @ Nov 15th 2009 11:54AM
exvash2,
"The best part of the CoD MMO is the peer-to-peer game servers. No hackers or cheaters on the big servers like WoW runs." I sincerely doubt that. Within 6 hours after launch of the PC port, VAC was already bypassed; within 12 hours, aimbots and wallhacks were already in use by cheaters. By the time IWnet filters out the current riff raff, people will have already come up with new hacks and cheats the system will not detect. If there was a COD MMO that used the same or a similar system, it'll be a never ending cycle and the cheaters/hackers will ALWAYS come out ahead. Do not think for a moment a P2P online multiplayer model is more secure than playing through someone's server.
Big_Lozbowski [Planeteer | Power of Shomer Shabbos] @ Nov 15th 2009 11:47AM
excuse my typos - Hung over.
brian @ Nov 15th 2009 11:47AM
you people think this is an mmo, no, this is just them talking about the bullshit that WoW has now, like paying 10 dollars for a pet, or like 5 dollars for a new costume or some complete bullshit that should already be achievable in the game.
Anyone who is for something like that (consumer) is just an idiot.
it's like cheering for down-loadable content 2 years before a game is released.
Special Agent Steve @ Nov 15th 2009 11:51AM
370 million on the first day wasn't big enough for you Activision? Yeah, GTFO.
C.A. @ Nov 15th 2009 11:54AM
Ah, there's nothing quite like paying for something more than once, especially when it used to be free to play online.
I wonder where these core gamers that want to "pay up" for this are? What exactly are people paying up for?
Bleh.
Trey @ Nov 15th 2009 11:56AM
Kotick must be sick of all the room his physical money is taking up.
brian @ Nov 15th 2009 11:59AM
so he make more money to make a room to put his money in.
WINterfang ( Now with the power to piss you off ) @ Nov 15th 2009 12:40PM
I think Kotick may actually die from money poisoning.
Young_Nastyman @ Nov 15th 2009 1:07PM
I made a few phone calls, heres the result
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/896/myonnoticeboard.jpg
That Guy @ Nov 15th 2009 8:21PM
guy needs to build a bigger treasure room
Mosi13 @ Nov 15th 2009 12:02PM
Is anyone surprised by this?
As soon as I read that you'd have to have the most current patch in order to play MW2 online it was obvious they were going to start trickling out map packs which you had to purchase in order to continue to play online...enter the monetization of their current product while they work on their World of Call of Duty - maybe they'll bump the server maps up to 10v10 then!
Menchi @ Nov 15th 2009 12:11PM
No but they will increase the level cap and implement a highly sought after new gun that only drops randomly off a players corpse.
This gun will be painted orange so that all will know you found it and you can be more awesome for having it.
They might have also added some less rare blue and purple painted gun models as well.
CynicalStrike @ Nov 15th 2009 1:08PM
You require the latest patch to play online as it's a peer-to-peer system on all platforms. Also, dozens of map packs have been released for games before without excluding people from online play; DLC maps either appear in a separate playlist or simply don't show up in rotation. This is a non-issue for console players, and the sad fact is the PC version is just a console port.
As far a monetization goes, the likely move I see is a subscription fee above a cetain level/prestige. Map packs are a reality of modern gaming, but further monetization (particularly when your money isn't even funding dedicated servers) is bullshit. I don't think any sane person would be willing to pay a subscription fee for an FPS.