920°

XBL $10 price hike was caused by ACTIVISION

Bobby Kotick CEO of Activision once said that “We’ve heard that 60 per cent of [Microsoft’s] subscribers are principally on Live because of Call Of Duty, we don’t really participate financially in that income stream." but to the recent XBL $10 price hike that was announced in August and implemented on November 1st, Kotick has totally changed mood now he is saying "Activision does enjoy a very modest amount of the subscription fees".

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T9X694902d ago

Considering COD is the biggest game on PS3 as well, I wonder if this jackass is going to try to start charging PS3 users to play COD online in the future. This guy is such a money hungry prick, I almost feel insulted buying Black Ops new even though I support Treyarch but despise Activision, mainly Kotick.

ajcastillo4902d ago

And now it even doesnt matter if you dont buy any CALL OF DUTY GAME, because if you pay the XBOX LIVE GOLD suscription you are giving them $5.

blumatt4902d ago (Edited 4902d ago )

The day Activision starts charging to play CoD online on the PS3, is the day I will STOP playing CoD games. Personally, I like Battlefield BC2 (PS3) better anyway. And like the guy above me said, if this article is true, it would mean that regardless of whether Xbox Live Gold people PLAY CoD, they're STILL giving Activision a little bit of money.
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Hell what if other devs. demand a little piece of the pie and want some of Live's subscription fees? I guess Live Gold will eventually be up to around $100 a year. Where does this greed stop?? MS needs to tell Activision to go to hell and not give them anymore money. Hell, they just made over half a billion dollars from Black Ops. Jeez

Godmars2904902d ago

More likely, since this puts them more in bed with MS, it probably means the 360 will get more Activision titles. If COD doesn't go exclusive, since it might also mean PS3-only owners might buy a 360 to play COD.

Biggest4902d ago (Edited 4902d ago )

He'll be greatly disappointed if something like that comes around. I doubt more than 10% of PS3 gamers would pay to play CoD online. One of the draws to PSN has always been the fact that it's free. Changing that would make people leave CoD and PSN. Sony wouldn't allow it.

Edit: One outcome I could see would be Activision and EA furthering their partnerships with Xbox and Playstation and every year we would have CoD vs. MoH.

OtherWhiteMeat4902d ago (Edited 4902d ago )

@Godmars290
Making COD or any other game an Xbox 360 exclusive wouldn't make any financial sense,both consoles combined are nearly 90 million so why cut your sales nearly in half. Timed DLC from Activision is how this battle will be fought.

T9X694902d ago

Money talks. MS paid $50 million dollars for timed exclusive DLC, not even a game, 50 mill for some fucking DLC. I wouldn't be surprised if MS offers them money to make COD exclusive to 360. If that doesn't happen, I bet your ass that pick Kotick will be telling Sony he wants to charge a separate online monthly fee for COD on PS3. Kotick wants more, more, more, if he can squeeze 50 cents out of COD on PS3 a month, that POS will do it.

IronAva4902d ago

@Biggest

So if Sony said you have to pay $20 a month to play GT5 online, there would be a ton of people on here saying that is not a bad deal. Games are like drugs, people will go where ever they have to to get their fix. Also why does it matter what a company does with the money you give them? I could care less if the guy that runs the carry-out near my house uses the money I gave him to fulfill his dirty habits. If you really knew what other companies did with their money, most of you on here would not buy a thing.

The Wood4902d ago

Whatever ms paid activision to make it exclusive wouldn't be enough. Activision loves money as you can see so why would they lose out on all those extra map packs on top of the ps3 version itself....not over koticks dead body

JUDALATION4902d ago (Edited 4902d ago )

LMAO NO WONDER XBOX has the better verson... Lucky for me Im in the Killzone 3 Beta and its a thousand times better than Black ops... alls they need to do is add more guns, fix the spawns and matchmaking to make this the greatest fps of all time... eat THAT kotass!

Oh... and by the way... MAG and socom 4 WHOOP call of dutys arse as well!

Biggest4902d ago

You can say whatever you want to make you feel better about whatever it is you need to feel better about, IronAva. The truth is that people don't have to pay for PSN and they won't have to pay for PSN. Call of Duty is all about the online experience these days. Gran Turismo 5 is not. People that care about Gran Turismo might like having online as a feature, but it isn't something they need to play the game. Since it won't happen, this is a pointless conversation (Good job trolling). Gran Turismo 5 would not be played online by very many people if they added a cost. Sorry, bro.

IronAva4902d ago

@Biggest

Again, what I said has nothing to do with making me feel better. Hey to make "YOU" feel better lets change GT5(even though it has an online option) to Killzone 3 is that better for you. If Sony or even Nintendo were to charge for one of their big titles to play online, people will pay. How am I a troll when I said nothing at all to attack you or this board. People are quick to judge if one does not agree with their opinion.

VenomProject4902d ago

@IronAva

Who would PAY to play a video game like an FPS?

MMOs, I can understand, it's almost like a second life and there's so much content. An FPS though? Yeah, not even Killzone 3 would make me PAY to play online.

Screw that.

Muffins12234902d ago Show
4902d ago
evrfighter4902d ago

i called it. i don't feel like browsing my history but ya

psman0124902d ago

T9X69, I think this is the first time I have ever seen a comment of yours that has more agrees than disagrees :P

DaTruth4902d ago

Can't believe none of you have figured it out yet!

Why do you think the game is advertised like a 360 exclusive?

+ Show (16) more repliesLast reply 4902d ago
dredgewalker4902d ago

I've already written off Activision games from my list. I would gladly miss out on some of their good games than to give them a piece of my hard earned money.

OtherWhiteMeat4902d ago

Or you could just buy them used.Activision doesn't make a dime on used game sales.

Sevir044902d ago

to activision! so buying it used doesn't matter if you ARE on XBL and a PAYING gold member!!! so 360 gamers and fanboys get screwed regardless!.. and i wouldn't doubt this seeing as MS is in bed with activision. they paid 3 years provisions of exclusive content for all things COD for the xbox platform! This little transaction was probably part of the deal to raise XBL prices since this was announced in June, THE SAME MONTH they announced the 3 year exclusive deal with activision at E3 for all things COD! so i believe this is true!!! MS raised prices of XBL so gamers on the 360 could be weaseled into paying activition a subscription to COD!!! LOL! its funny but i feel bad.

Years ago it was EA with the bad Name Now it's activision and its couldnt be more accurate. these bastards along with their head honcho Kotic and MS is screwing the gamers pocket in this recession!

Thank Goodness for the PSN and i'm glad i dont own a single activision title. Some how i'm suddenly turned off Bungie's next game as it bears the name activision as it's publisher! NONE OF my Money will go to activision! NONE! i'll just borrow my friends copy of Bungie's next game on PS3!

vhero4902d ago

Technically he does but not because ppl subscribe. It works like this. Suckers pay MS for playing games online (suckers as you can play for FREE on PS3 and PC) they don't give a percentage to companies, what they do is use money from Live to pay for exclusive content e.g. early map packs in activisions case.

princejb1344902d ago

so in the end xbl owners get fucked and psn owners dont
this game is not worth the extra 60 cents to play online
so many dam glitches

BillOreilly4902d ago

well the ps3 vesion is glitched and shit but the 360 version is acually good. Just saying. Damn those ms suckers getting good versions and exclusive maps/games/features. Baa Humbug!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

visualb4902d ago

and who gave this man so much power? WHO?

the gamers who bought this mans games =)

you are to blame above all...sorry to say ='(

like the saying "the people get the leader they deserve"

in this case

the gamers get the extortion they deserve...they did vote with their own money after all...sad =(

Eddie201014902d ago (Edited 4902d ago )

Activision and Kotick are the Mafia of the gaming industry, seems a bit like extortion except Microsoft won't take the hit and instead pass the extortion buck to the consumer and then add an extra fiver on for good measure for Microsoft. The shot that's gone down this generation of gaming consoles is unbelievable.

pixelsword4902d ago

Hey, I thought it was because of all of those "great" features that they hiked up the price?

Well xbl/non-net neutrality fans, you were all fine and dandy before you knew so don't complain now.

iamtehpwn4902d ago (Edited 4902d ago )

So, has anyone else noticed that Bobby's smile looks an awful lot like.. http://img829.imageshack.us...

CrIpPeN4902d ago

he got a face you just want to punch in the face.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4902d ago
thematrix12984902d ago

Vince and Jason left IW because Activision wanted to charge monthly fee for their next MW. Those guys were gamers once and understand how loyal fans would react. Bobby is a greedy d1ck. I hope to god that their monthly subscription COD fails so bad that stock holders all sell the stocks.

CrIpPeN4902d ago

yeah they probably put COD to see the ground as Tony Hawks and Guitar Hero.

Muffins12234902d ago

him and the president of valve

scar204902d ago

Wow dat sux big time for you 360 players.
I think his momma deserves this.

gypsygib4902d ago

That's why he doesn't care about PS3

rob60214902d ago

yea no wonder they put half the effort into the PS3 version - now it makes sense, they actually want people buying it on the 360 instead.

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270°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

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theverge.com
darthv721d 3h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle14h ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic188111h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio11h ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning776h ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga13h ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

shinoff218312h ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga11h ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan7h ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

S2Killinit15m ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus236h ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv726h ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

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purple10116h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos15h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-5h ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac15h ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad14h ago(Edited 14h ago)

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple10114h ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos14h ago(Edited 14h ago)

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic12h ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead5h ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

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300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

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insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 23h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 21h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1d 18h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1d 11h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo1d 13h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies1d 9h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger1d 21h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic1d 7h ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows901d 6h ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

blacktiger3h ago

You own nothing snd be happy. I'm sure you heard that

Profchaos1d 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto1d 22h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos1d 22h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long1d 19h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel1d 21h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos1d 20h ago (Edited 1d 20h ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator1d 21h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

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200°

Players claim Fortnite ruined Call of Duty by letting in more corporate greed

Do you remember what gaming was like before Fortnite entered the gaming space? One of the biggest arguments was about loot boxes. Now we have conversations about crossovers, battle passes, and community outreach.

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gamesandwich.com
GoodGuy099d ago (Edited 9d ago )

Idk. Loot boxes did disappear and battle passes and in game purchases are all cosmetic. We get free weapons and maps post launch, any gameplay affecting content. I could care less about all the cosmetics.
I absolutely hated the days where weapons were locked behind a less than 1% chance lootbox pull where it'd take 5+ hours to have enough tokens to do a single pull and lazy remastered/remake maps cost you $15 each wave or $50 for the season pass that you didn't know what you'd get and these maps were only available to those that bought it so you get a smaller pool of players match with.

Tacoboto8d ago

The "good ole days" are actually what drove me away from COD and Halo 3/Reach. Halo 4 becoming a COD-like drove me away from that only a week or so after it launched and I beat its campaign.

It sucked way back then, going a month or two without playing online-shooter-of-the-moment, and then needing to buy a $15 map pack to play with the majority of the population or your favorite playlist. The "community" rejecting Spartan Points in MCC killed that game's support, too. No revenue = no support, plain and simple.

Cacabunga7d ago

That headline could easily be something Spencer could have said 😅 I had to check if it was really an opinion piece

KyRo7d ago

As times gone on, the COD battle pass has got ALOT worse so they can push people to buy the more premium battle pass which itself is a huge rip off and nearly half the price of the base game.

The cosmetics can be fine but they've taken it to far to the point of no return. Why make a military themed game then have rabbits, dinosaurs, cats, rats & z list rappers as skins? You wouldn't add a Lamborghini to a fantasy RPG to replace a horse and you would never see Mario have limb dismemberment because they know what they are. COD is having identity crisis but kids and streamer but then all

franwex8d ago (Edited 8d ago )

Call of duty can simply not copy the bad aspects of Fortnite? Or is that too out of this world? Like COD, a realistic shooter-just HAD to have Nicki Minaj running around? Or super heroes?

Inverno8d ago (Edited 8d ago )

Exactly! Trends don't all need to be followed. Plus where Fortnite got somewhat better with it's monetization, Acti got worse. Or at least Fortnite has lended itself more to the wacky stuff, and has put more effort and quality into that stuff.

jjb19818d ago

I prefer the battle passes with free maps than the $50 season pass that divided the community. I definitely feel that Fortnite had some influence on CoD having loot boxes with Blackout being introduced in 2018 with Black Ops 4.

PRIMORDUS8d ago (Edited 8d ago )

Actually Fortnite bullshit ruined Unreal Tournament. Epic are sellouts and I will never have that shitty store on my PC, fuck them and that shit bag Tim Sweeney. At least the community keeps the games alive, I still play UT2004.

StoneTitan7d ago

I mean cant really blame them for supporting the game that made them the most money and the most people player...ever?

Psychonaut858d ago

Call of Duty ruined Call of Duty. They needed no outside assistance.

Ra30307d ago

100% correct! The makers of Call of Duty ran out of ideas long, long ago so they take ideas from other games like Ghost Recon, Fortnite and any other FPS game hat had success hell CoD remasters maps that they've remastered several times already then charge you again for it. Call of Duty is simply a cut, copy and paste and then put the $70 price on it every year. Activision and now Microsoft has been essentially remastering Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare every year since it was released in 2007 its to the point it's worse than the sports game like the Madden, NBA and others yearly sports franchises.
@Psychonaut85 is spot on "Call of Duty ruined Call of Duty. They needed no outside assistance"!

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