Microsoft plans to release the next installment of the video game “Call of Duty” on its subscription service, in a departure from its longtime practice of selling only the title independently, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday .
The move is expected to be announced at the company's annual Xbox showcase, scheduled for June 9, the person said on condition of anonymity because the plans are private.
Microsoft did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news on Friday.
Microsoft acquired “Call of Duty” by buying Activision Blizzard in a $69 billion deal, which closed late last year.
The first-person shooter video game is among the most successful entertainment properties and has generated more than $30 billion in lifetime revenue.
For the past several years, Activision has released new editions of the game annually priced at around $70 each.
The development comes just days after Xbox president Sarah Bond said at a conference call that the company plans to release all first-party Xbox games on Game Pass on launch day.
Microsoft runs a subscription service called Game Pass, which offers access to games from Xbox and other developers for a fee.
The Redmond, Wash.-based company has been aggressively trying to build Netflix-style game subscription services in recent years as part of its efforts to break the dominance of Japanese rival Sony's PlayStation consoles. body
Microsoft said in February that Game Pass had 34 million subscribers, up from the 25 million it reported in 2022.
Analysts said the launch of “Call of Duty,” a franchise with a large loyal fan base, would help draw more people to Game Pass but could hurt overall sales generated by the title.
“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III,” released in November 2023, is the second best-selling game so far this year. It's chasing Sony's “Helldivers II,” according to industry tracker Circana.
© Thomson Reuters 2024
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