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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Call of Duty Online to be released in China | Call of Duty Online to be released in China |
| (2 days later) | |
| Activision has announced a new title in the blockbusting Call of Duty franchise, aimed exclusively at the Chinese market. Call of Duty Online is being released in partnership with internet service provider Tencent; it will be free to download and play, although gamers will be able to purchase items such as weapons equipment and perks, through an in-game store. | Activision has announced a new title in the blockbusting Call of Duty franchise, aimed exclusively at the Chinese market. Call of Duty Online is being released in partnership with internet service provider Tencent; it will be free to download and play, although gamers will be able to purchase items such as weapons equipment and perks, through an in-game store. |
| The game will feature standard modes and multiplayer options from the Call of Duty series, but will have its own campaign story, based around a series of "Spec Ops" missions. | The game will feature standard modes and multiplayer options from the Call of Duty series, but will have its own campaign story, based around a series of "Spec Ops" missions. |
| The publisher has long had plans to expand its multibillion dollar brand into China, which has a vast audience of keen gamers. According to figures released by China's ministry of culture last year, more than 160 million of the population regularly play online. However, as in South Korea, the most popular titles tend to be free-to-play multiplayer games, which can be accessed via a web browser and which offer micro-transactions to more committed participants. Call of Duty Online fits more comfortably into this market than the console-based iterations of the series. | The publisher has long had plans to expand its multibillion dollar brand into China, which has a vast audience of keen gamers. According to figures released by China's ministry of culture last year, more than 160 million of the population regularly play online. However, as in South Korea, the most popular titles tend to be free-to-play multiplayer games, which can be accessed via a web browser and which offer micro-transactions to more committed participants. Call of Duty Online fits more comfortably into this market than the console-based iterations of the series. |
| "We think China is one of the most exciting places in the world for us to grow our business and to develop innovative new games," said Activision chief executive Bobby Kotick. "Tencent is an ideal partner for Activision to bring Call of Duty Online to China. Tencent has a terrific track record of customer-focused innovation and deep market knowledge that will be invaluable to Activision as we build great games for China. We have worked closely with Tencent to create a game with broad appeal for the Chinese market. We look forward to laying the foundation for a long-standing relationship with Tencent and to launching a new and unique experience for fans." | "We think China is one of the most exciting places in the world for us to grow our business and to develop innovative new games," said Activision chief executive Bobby Kotick. "Tencent is an ideal partner for Activision to bring Call of Duty Online to China. Tencent has a terrific track record of customer-focused innovation and deep market knowledge that will be invaluable to Activision as we build great games for China. We have worked closely with Tencent to create a game with broad appeal for the Chinese market. We look forward to laying the foundation for a long-standing relationship with Tencent and to launching a new and unique experience for fans." |
| This news comes at an interesting time for Activision Blizzard. There are reports that media and telecommunications giant Vivendi is looking to sell its 61% share in the games publisher, due to pressure from investors to stabilise the company and boost its share price. Video games are seen as a volatile business with some pundits predicting a crash for the industry, due to an over-reliance on "safe" familiar tropes. | This news comes at an interesting time for Activision Blizzard. There are reports that media and telecommunications giant Vivendi is looking to sell its 61% share in the games publisher, due to pressure from investors to stabilise the company and boost its share price. Video games are seen as a volatile business with some pundits predicting a crash for the industry, due to an over-reliance on "safe" familiar tropes. |
| With a value of about $10bn however, well-known industry analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities argues a buyer is unlikely to be found and Activision Blizzard would instead be spun off into a separate company. For now, though, Activision is focusing its commentary on the lucrative Call of Duty Online announcement. | With a value of about $10bn however, well-known industry analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities argues a buyer is unlikely to be found and Activision Blizzard would instead be spun off into a separate company. For now, though, Activision is focusing its commentary on the lucrative Call of Duty Online announcement. |
| Far Cry 3 interview: morality and realism in shooting games | Far Cry 3 interview: morality and realism in shooting games |
| 15 Aug 2011 | 15 Aug 2011 |
| Keith Stuart: Ubisoft Montreal creative director Jason VandenBerghe on Far Cry 3 and where first-person shooters are heading after a decade dominated by Call of Duty | Keith Stuart: Ubisoft Montreal creative director Jason VandenBerghe on Far Cry 3 and where first-person shooters are heading after a decade dominated by Call of Duty |
| 4 Nov 2011 | 4 Nov 2011 |
| Modern Warfare 3: what does it take to work on the world's biggest game? | Modern Warfare 3: what does it take to work on the world's biggest game? |
| 11 Nov 2011 | |
| Modern Warfare 3 smashes entertainment launch records | |
| 2 Sep 2011 | 2 Sep 2011 |
| Call of Duty: Elite – pricing and content details announced | Call of Duty: Elite – pricing and content details announced |
| 2 Sep 2011 | 2 Sep 2011 |
| Modern Warfare 3: new perks and modes revealed. Everything you need to know | Modern Warfare 3: new perks and modes revealed. Everything you need to know |
| Call of Duty Elite 'social service' revealed by Activision | Call of Duty Elite 'social service' revealed by Activision |
| 31 May 2011 | 31 May 2011 |
| Keith Stuart: Activision announces multiplayer subscription service for its Call of Duty franchise, but will gamers be willing to pay to fight their friends online? | Keith Stuart: Activision announces multiplayer subscription service for its Call of Duty franchise, but will gamers be willing to pay to fight their friends online? |
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| Activision is launching a free-to-play version of its hit first-person shooter franchise for the Chinese market | Activision is launching a free-to-play version of its hit first-person shooter franchise for the Chinese market |
| Activision has announced a new title in the blockbusting Call of Duty franchise, aimed exclusively at the Chinese market. Call of Duty Online is being released in partnership with internet service provider Tencent; it will be free to download and play, although gamers will be able to purchase items such as weapons equipment and perks, through an in-game store. | Activision has announced a new title in the blockbusting Call of Duty franchise, aimed exclusively at the Chinese market. Call of Duty Online is being released in partnership with internet service provider Tencent; it will be free to download and play, although gamers will be able to purchase items such as weapons equipment and perks, through an in-game store. |
| The game will feature standard modes and multiplayer options from the Call of Duty series, but will have its own campaign story, based around a series of "Spec Ops" missions. | The game will feature standard modes and multiplayer options from the Call of Duty series, but will have its own campaign story, based around a series of "Spec Ops" missions. |
| The publisher has long had plans to expand its multibillion dollar brand into China, which has a vast audience of keen gamers. According to figures released by China's ministry of culture last year, more than 160 million of the population regularly play online. However, as in South Korea, the most popular titles tend to be free-to-play multiplayer games, which can be accessed via a web browser and which offer micro-transactions to more committed participants. Call of Duty Online fits more comfortably into this market than the console-based iterations of the series. | The publisher has long had plans to expand its multibillion dollar brand into China, which has a vast audience of keen gamers. According to figures released by China's ministry of culture last year, more than 160 million of the population regularly play online. However, as in South Korea, the most popular titles tend to be free-to-play multiplayer games, which can be accessed via a web browser and which offer micro-transactions to more committed participants. Call of Duty Online fits more comfortably into this market than the console-based iterations of the series. |
| "We think China is one of the most exciting places in the world for us to grow our business and to develop innovative new games," said Activision chief executive Bobby Kotick. "Tencent is an ideal partner for Activision to bring Call of Duty Online to China. Tencent has a terrific track record of customer-focused innovation and deep market knowledge that will be invaluable to Activision as we build great games for China. We have worked closely with Tencent to create a game with broad appeal for the Chinese market. We look forward to laying the foundation for a long-standing relationship with Tencent and to launching a new and unique experience for fans." | "We think China is one of the most exciting places in the world for us to grow our business and to develop innovative new games," said Activision chief executive Bobby Kotick. "Tencent is an ideal partner for Activision to bring Call of Duty Online to China. Tencent has a terrific track record of customer-focused innovation and deep market knowledge that will be invaluable to Activision as we build great games for China. We have worked closely with Tencent to create a game with broad appeal for the Chinese market. We look forward to laying the foundation for a long-standing relationship with Tencent and to launching a new and unique experience for fans." |
| This news comes at an interesting time for Activision Blizzard. There are reports that media and telecommunications giant Vivendi is looking to sell its 61% share in the games publisher, due to pressure from investors to stabilise the company and boost its share price. Video games are seen as a volatile business with some pundits predicting a crash for the industry, due to an over-reliance on "safe" familiar tropes. | This news comes at an interesting time for Activision Blizzard. There are reports that media and telecommunications giant Vivendi is looking to sell its 61% share in the games publisher, due to pressure from investors to stabilise the company and boost its share price. Video games are seen as a volatile business with some pundits predicting a crash for the industry, due to an over-reliance on "safe" familiar tropes. |
| With a value of about $10bn however, well-known industry analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities argues a buyer is unlikely to be found and Activision Blizzard would instead be spun off into a separate company. For now, though, Activision is focusing its commentary on the lucrative Call of Duty Online announcement. | With a value of about $10bn however, well-known industry analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities argues a buyer is unlikely to be found and Activision Blizzard would instead be spun off into a separate company. For now, though, Activision is focusing its commentary on the lucrative Call of Duty Online announcement. |