The Wall Street Journal is running with a story this morning that claims the Call of Duty series of hugely popular first person shooters will see a monthly subscription rate – dubbed “Call of Duty Elite” – starting with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
The publisher, according to the website, plans to launch the online service to run alongside all of the series from this point in. The monthly subscription fee for the service will “provide extra content that isn’t offered on game discs sold in stores” it says, “including downloadable map packs that give players new levels to play.”
Although there’s no price set yet, some expect the service to cost less $7.99, although there will be some free features, such as the ability to “meet for online gun battles with others who share various affiliations and interests.” To clarify: the actual online gaming will still be included in the price of the game – there is no monthly fee to just play.
The WSJ reports that the Elite fee will focus on extras, such as tools to analyse player performance.
“Call of Duty is in a unique position to seek a monthly fee from customers,” says the site. “The game’s previous installment, set during the Cold War and called Call of Duty: Black Ops, was the best-selling game last year, with global retail sales of more than $1 billion during its first six weeks on shelves.”
More details are expected today, including what the Elite subscription will get you, and hopefully confirmation on pricing.
Update: MCV has detailed the service (from ShopToNews):
Career: Detailed player stats (kill to death ratio, time spent, favourite weapons, loadouts, level, saved screenshots and videos, personal bests, etc). Players can view results from recent matches, via timeline and map showing every kill and death (including location of killer/victim). Can compare directly with other players by searching for their gamertag.
Connect: Join groups based on interest. For example, search for ‘photography’ and you are automatically entered into a group with other players have the same interest. If the group doesn’t exist, Elite automatically creates it. You can then access Career stats for group members. Can also browse theatre mode and videos. Looking through most liked, most viewed, staff picks, most recent or any videos you are tagged in. MW3 will introduce clan support.
Compete: Regular events and competitions set up by developers, e.g. highest kill streak, screenshot or video competitions, etc. Prizes range from special emblems for your profile to COD merchandise, an iPad 2 and a Jeep Cherokee. MW3 will introduce group vs group competitions, clan vs clan, intra-clan competition and leagues.
Improve: Detailed information on every weapon, perk and map in the game, including tips, stats and video guides from pros. Maps show objective locations for different types of multiplayer mode. Shows more player stats (e.g. how many times people have used each kill streak bonus). After MW3, Elite will call on entire Call of Duty community to provide expertise and guidance.
Update 2: MCV has removed their post.
Update 3: A video has appeared (from ShopToNews):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ceq_RKaFZU
MaD-Hand
I was sitting on the fence regarding purchasing this game, but after this news, I think I’ll probably give it a miss. I definitly won’t be paying a monthly sub, and object to the “Improve” element….If you pay, we’ll help you to kick everyone else’s @$$? I get slaughtered enough by the truly hardcore COD players, I don’t need more….
quinkill
Haha. I think a small minority will pay for this, and if in any way this gives elite players an advantage then they will start to loose their fans. Is this the beginning of the end for COD and it’s dominance?
hazelam
well, the video was pretty entertaining.
that’s about all the interest i have in this.
Reality Check
So does this mean a Xbox 360 owner has to pay even more to play games on line? LoL [well this game anyway & i am sure more companies will follow if it still sells well COD:MW3, which it will]
Klart
This won’t be for me.
Charmed_Fanatic
I think you can get all of this free on Halo ;)
3shirts
What worries me slightly is that most of the stats they mention are available already which suggests this is going to be taking features away from non-elite players.
I have really gone off Activision to the point that I probably won’t bother with MW3.
nemesisND1derboy
It looks quite interesting.
What I won’t subscribe unless I get to try it first, though.
They should give away a code for 30 days free with all new Call of Duty games. That way people can try it out and they can drum up some interest around it.
That would be the smart thing to do.
nemesisND1derboy
Why did I say “what”? That was supposed to be “But”!
Head is fired this morning…
nemesisND1derboy
*fried…
*sigh*
BrendanCalls
I’d give up and go home if i were you…see you tomorrow LOL! ;-)
KeRaSh
“Connect: Join groups based on interest. For example, search for ‘photography’ and you are automatically entered into a group with other players have the same interest.”
Seriously? This must be the most useless feature of a paid service, ever…
They already have clan support, why bother with something like this. I dont’s see how this could be relevant to a FPS game.
Smallville2106
I def will not be getting this game now. The problem is, is that this will be a success and I worry that other companies will follow suit with their games.
3shirts
I dunno. The game will be a success, sure, but I think this elite thing is pushing too far for most.
I can’t see it being successful enough for others to think it’s a good idea