Microsoft Bets on Latest 'Call of Duty' To Power Up Video Games Strategy

Microsoft is seeking to boost its video games business with the release of the latest instalment of the Call of Duty franchise on Friday, pushing to increase subscription revenues through the new game to offset falling Xbox console sales. Financial Times: Black Ops 6 is the first of the best-selling series to be launched on the tech giant's Game Pass subscription service. It represents the biggest test of the company's gaming strategy [non-paywalled link] since its $75bn deal to acquire Activision Blizzard -- makers of Call of Duty -- received sign-off from regulators last year. Microsoft hopes that the release will help achieve its target of reaching 110mn Game Pass subscribers by 2030, a substantial rise from 34mn in February this year.

The company has shifted its focus towards its subscription games service as hardware sales have slowed in recent years. Xbox hardware revenue fell 13 per cent year-on-year in Microsoft's fiscal 2024, which ended in June. For the first time this year, subscribers to Game Pass, who can already access a growing library of Xbox titles for as long as they keep paying a monthly fee, will be able to access the latest Call of Duty without having to pay a traditional price of $70 or more for the packaged game. Microsoft is still making the game available to buy on PlayStation, after concerns from regulators during the Activision merger probe that it might make the title exclusive to its own platform.

Do it again, only harder.

[ravenshrike]

Their continued attempt to hang their entire business model for Xbox on GaaS will never work.

Re:Do it again, only harder.

[Rinnon]

Right? Who would pay a subscription to access a library of content that might not even still contain what you want down the line when you could just pay to own? Seems silly.

Re: Do it again, only harder.

[Slashythenkilly]

Ms is doing subscriptions because marketing is going that way. Many people older and younger do not own physical media because its easier and neater to just stream it. I dont agree with that philosophy having had spotty internet over the years but I certainly understand.

Re:

[RamenMan]

I think Game Pass is awesome. I've got way too many (4) Xboxes in my house, all with Game Pass. Me and my 3 kids can all play the same games, play against each other, or not. My kids are never asking for more games because Game Pass always has something new on it. If I wanted to play something with my kids I would normally need to buy 3 copies of a game (my daughter only plays Sims and Fortnite) so we can play together. I don't want to spend $180 just to try out a new game. I was super excited about t

Who would want Spotify when you can buy CDs?

[Somervillain]

Their continued attempt to hang their entire business model for Xbox on GaaS will never work.

By your logic, Spotify would be a failure and Sam Goody and Tower Records would be thriving. Netflix would be a failure and Best Buy and every electronics dept would get the bulk of their revenue selling CDs and DVDs.

You like to buy...that's cool...nothing wrong with that...I think it's a nice option. I don't. I value my time and many games are worth playing once and very very few games are worth playing twice. Call of Duty is a great example. Given that I have a busy homelife and a lot of adult res

Re:

[UnknowingFool]

From what I read, the OP is not complaining that all GaaS will never work. His specific complaint is Microsoft's business model with Xbox will not work. Personally the main thing I problem I see is that GaaS especially from the likes of Activision Blizzard is the greed to make them shittier. Games are incomplete at launch unless you want to pay more money. You want the best sniper rifle on launch day, you should have purchased the deluxe LEET optional box because to get it in game is 80 hours of grinding. T

Call of your Credit Card

[xack]

Is the only duty Microsoft wants.

Re: Put a chick in it... Modern Games are DEI and

[Slashythenkilly]

theres the pot calling the kettle black....again