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[GI.biz] Black Ops 6 is make-or-break for the Game Pass strategy

XXL

Gold Member
Something else is happening, like the collapse of any market movement and total console consolidation. We can imagine that some other company could come along and compete at this level and show up MS, but the truth is that company will never exist in reality. This is the market.
I've said this before and I know people don't like hearing it...but I think its true.

The industry is going through consolidation.

- Steam won the PC market
- Playstation won the console market
- Nintendo won the handheld market

I just think they emerged as the winners of their spaces and aren't really that interested in competing with each other head to head anymore.

The good thing is we have the internet and it will be difficult for them to be tyrannical like you could have before pre internet.

As for Xbox I just think they (and some of their fanbase) made some crucial mistake along the way. Now, they're going to have to go through a reconfiguration to find a place to fit in......which is going to be an uphill battle when it's come to hardware.
 

DeepEnigma

Gold Member
100% agree! This sub culture is ridiculous and just seems to be getting worse!

I'm in Australia and retail chains are now asking if you'd like to subscribe for a year to get extra discounts! What the FUCK is going on??? They want me to spend MORE money to get money off? How about you just give me a fucking discount for being a customer?

In regards to subscriptions for tv/movies/music/gaming, it can ALL go in the trash. Problem is, it's convenient and as witnessed in here, so many people don't care to OWN anything anymore! They're just happy to rent what they want to watch/listen to/play and never own it! And all the while, these companies are just robbing us blindly for giving us access to rent this shit. Fuck that. All these sub services are a waste of money and Xbox can go and get stuffed for trying to make a sub service standard in gaming.
9a991e_548d1774762a40d99589302086be84a9~mv2.png
 

pudel

Member
Me as 38 year old , this sub culture is too much.
Every entertainment from movies, music , TV shows , and now even games are subs
In fact to watch just a few TV shows I like I have to sub 3 different services.
Then YouTube, google cloud ,gamepass this shit becomes just way too much.
I am with you. I have zero subs...nowhere, and I dont have the feeling that I am missing anything or need anything of this time limited stuff. 🤷‍♂️
 

Punished Miku

Human Rights Subscription Service
I've said this before and I know people don't like hearing it...but I think its true.

The industry is going through consolidation.

- Steam won the PC market
- Playstation won the console market
- Nintendo won the handheld market

I just think they emerged as the winners of their spaces and aren't really that interested in competing with each other head to head anymore.

The good thing is we have the internet and it will be difficult for them to be tyrannical like you could have before pre internet.

As for Xbox I just think they (and some of their fanbase) made some crucial mistake along the way. Now, they're going to have to go through a reconfiguration to find a place to fit in......which is going to be an uphill battle when it's come to hardware.
I mean, that was my whole argument during the Activision acquisition year long shitshow. So I agree there.
 
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Reactions: XXL

Matt_Fox

Member
- Steam won the PC market
- Playstation won the console market
- Nintendo won the handheld market

I've said this before and I know people don't like hearing it...but I think its true.

The industry is going through consolidation.

- Steam won the PC market
- Playstation won the console market
- Nintendo won the handheld market

I just think they emerged as the winners of their spaces and aren't really that interested in competing with each other head to head anymore.

The good thing is we have the internet and it will be difficult for them to be tyrannical like you could have before pre internet.

As for Xbox I just think they (and some of their fanbase) made some crucial mistake along the way. Now, they're going to have to go through a reconfiguration to find a place to fit in......which is going to be an uphill battle when it's come to hardware.

Microsoft want to win the cloud market.

There are a few wrinkles to be worked out but to be fair, I think if you can sell a gaming solution as simply a controller and an onscreen app, that's the future.
 

clarky

Gold Member
Minimum cost on PS, $70 + $80 PS+ = $150 annually.
GP at full price is $204 annually.

Difference of $54 per year to go from CoD only to GPU for a year for someone already purchasing CoD. That's $4.50 a month for an additional roughly 150+ games over the course of a year, many of them being $70 games like Fable and Doom, equaling thousands of dollars annually.

Gamers will likely still reject this, and they'll deserve everything coming their way in the future. Less than the price of renting 1 game a month in 1990 from Blockbuster and you get 150+ rentals annually. Idiots. I blame consumers.
I've been a sub since the start and i'll be letting mine lapse next year unless something drastic changes either for me or for GP.

It just doesn't suit my gaming habits anymore. I find it odd that you'd think anyone not subbing is an idiot. Everyone's needs are different.

I just bought BLOPS6 on Steam.
 

zeroluck

Member
Game pass is like Netflix without the streaming part, why is Xcloud stilll in beta and terrible after this many years. At this point they should partner with nVidia and let them power xcloud.
 

Punished Miku

Human Rights Subscription Service
I've been a sub since the start and i'll be letting mine lapse next year unless something drastic changes either for me or for GP.

It just doesn't suit my gaming habits anymore. I find it odd that you'd think anyone not subbing is an idiot. Everyone's needs are different.

I just bought BLOPS6 on Steam.
Well I wasn't really talking about PC. PC doesn't have a online fee at all, so the math is a lot more in favor of Steam there. Still a good deal for what's there, but less of a good deal. But then again, PC GP is much cheaper also. Do what you like I guess. I can't imagine finding $10 a month to play CoD, Stalker 2, Indiana Jones an unappealing deal. I literally can't imagine the thought process that finds that totally unappealing.
 
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I don’t think it will do much for MS and gamepass. They need to learn the hard way that putting exclusives on a sub service day one was a huge mistake and killed their brand. People stopped buying the games which lead to a huge loss of revenue. Playstation makes great games and they sell and recoup lots of needed revenue for sequels or other projects. If MS had made COD exclusive to Xbox or gave them several months of launch exclusivity it would have moved the needle a bit due to the power of COD as a brand. But in reality, MS have gotten so desperate and pitiful they spent all that money only to wind up putting games on their biggest competitors console. How sad is that? You wont see Sony doing that would you? They dug themselves in such a hole with Gamepass and other stupid decisions that even COD won’t be able to get them out of. Day one exclusives on a sub service is the dumbest idea ever but of course look at how dumb and desperate Phil has made Xbox. And yet they still keep yelling out DAY ONE ON GAMEPASS as it continues to devolve the brand even further…….morons.
 

clarky

Gold Member
Well I wasn't really talking about PC. PC doesn't have a online fee at all, so the math is a lot more in favor of Steam there. Still a good deal for what's there, but less of a good deal. But then again, PC GP is much cheaper also.
Oh yeah if you ONLY game on Xbox its a no brainer.

Which is why COD sales on XBOX will evaporate, i think the majority of xbox only customers are subs already. I don't think many will switch just for COD. Like wise not many will jump from Bnet or Steam. A few will, but how many for how long?
 
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I think you are right, the average player won't all of a sudden rent COD via Gamepass

GP will likely see a spike though as now people who only play the campaign can do so with one month of GP

I know several people who buy COD yearly on PC most through BNet and they aren't switch to the GP version

I think the only people this will really change for are those who had GP anyhow and always bought COD on mainly Xbox, those people wont buy it anymore imo
Yep and those people are already GPU members and won't impact their business at all.
 

Northeastmonk

Gold Member
The Call of Duty HQ app is a cluster of a GUI. I couldn’t even prompt the install from there. Had to go into my library to deselect multiple downloads for MW2 and MW3. Not to mention when you launch the app you’re sorting the games on a wheel. Prompted BO6 to install multiplayer and two separate downloads for the campaign.

Not to mention the campaign for MW2 and MW3 only earned you 1 trophy. It makes me miss OG MW2’s trophy list.

That whole experience screams GamePass or some sorta subscription service. It’s already an isolated app. You could sell a single CoD service if you ask me.
 

clarky

Gold Member
Yep and those people are already GPU members and won't impact their business at all.
How many existing subs don't already play COD though? Quite a few i'd guess. That has potential to grow the MTX spending by bringing in new/returning players.
 
They're not even advertising with Xbox and Game Pass. I think next year's game where they will probably be able to legally do that will be the make or break moment.
 
They're not even advertising with Xbox and Game Pass. I think next year's game where they will probably be able to legally do that will be the make or break moment.

What makes you think they aren't legally able to do it?

The Call of Duty HQ app is a cluster of a GUI. I couldn’t even prompt the install from there. Had to go into my library to deselect multiple downloads for MW2 and MW3. Not to mention when you launch the app you’re sorting the games on a wheel. Prompted BO6 to install multiplayer and two separate downloads for the campaign.

Not to mention the campaign for MW2 and MW3 only earned you 1 trophy. It makes me miss OG MW2’s trophy list.

That whole experience screams GamePass or some sorta subscription service. It’s already an isolated app. You could sell a single CoD service if you ask me.

When I want to play Warzone with my friends I couldn't figure out what to do. I must have downloaded a 5-6 different things before I was finally able to play with them. It's so fucked. At least make it so if I click on a game mode or something it installs everything I need to get in.
 
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clarky

Gold Member
They're not even advertising with Xbox and Game Pass. I think next year's game where they will probably be able to legally do that will be the make or break moment.
I don't think anything is stopping them now? There are adverts for BLOPS, showing GP at the end, they just don't seem to be pushing it very much.


It would be a first i think, your own product that you can't advertise.
 
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I don't think anything is stopping them now? There are adverts for BLOPS, showing GP at the end, they just don't seem to be pushing it very much.


It would be a first i think, your own product that you can't advertise.
I haven't seen it. Did they finally start it up?
 

clarky

Gold Member
When I want to play Warzone with my friends I couldn't figure out what to do. I must have downloaded a 5-6 different things before I was finally able to play with them. It's so fucked. At least make it so if I click on a game mode or something it installs everything I need to get in.
They are making all that much easier starting with this release i believe. It was a bit of a faff trying to install what you wanted before.
 
Yeah a saw a couple of adds on skysports on Sunday during the Football. UK obviously.

Ive been overseas last few weeks though so there might have been more.
On the Call of Duty YouTube channel, you wouldn't even know the game is coming to Game Pass.
 
Me as 38 year old , this sub culture is too much.
Every entertainment from movies, music , TV shows , and now even games are subs
In fact to watch just a few TV shows I like I have to sub 3 different services.
Then YouTube, google cloud ,gamepass this shit becomes just way too much.

Imho the options are confusing but the value for consumers has never been better. Cutting the cable and even subscribing to six or seven of these services saves a ton of money over what I used to spend on cable and a premium channel or two. And there are so many (legal) free options to watch stuff, too.

GamePass is starting to become confusing with the tiers and shit but the value is still insane to me, but to each their own. If I search for a 3 or 12 month code online I typically pay $3-5 a month and that’s for Ultimate, so it includes online play. I can play all kinds of games without worrying about buying them and if I enjoy them, I can buy them at a discount.

Again, great value for me, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I don’t agree with anyone claiming someone is dumb for subscribing or for not subscribing.
 

MacReady13

Member
I think if you can sell a gaming solution as simply a controller and an onscreen app, that's the future.
You know we have been hearing this for many years now. It's only the future if idiots MAKE it the future. Microsoft is trying their best to push it that way but most don't care for it.
 

SmokedMeat

Gamer™
I don’t see how CoD drives subscriptions at this point? Xbox might as well be dead at this point, given how poorly it’s selling.


Even if I owned both consoles why would I pay $20 per month for CoD access when I can just buy the game for just over three months worth of GP? CoD isn’t the type of game people play for a week a drop. It has long legs, and it will likely dominate the player’s time.
 

XXL

Gold Member
Microsoft want to win the cloud market.

There are a few wrinkles to be worked out but to be fair, I think if you can sell a gaming solution as simply a controller and an onscreen app, that's the future.
I agree this has potential in the future.

I think they have many paths to success, I'm just not sure hardware is one of them.
 

Punished Miku

Human Rights Subscription Service
Imho the options are confusing but the value for consumers has never been better. Cutting the cable and even subscribing to six or seven of these services saves a ton of money over what I used to spend on cable and a premium channel or two. And there are so many (legal) free options to watch stuff, too.
That's the truth. All I have to do to instantly not have any problem with movie / TV subs is just imagine buying cable again.
 

namenotfound

Neo Member
Me as 38 year old , this sub culture is too much.
Every entertainment from movies, music , TV shows , and now even games are subs
In fact to watch just a few TV shows I like I have to sub 3 different services.
Then YouTube, google cloud ,gamepass this shit becomes just way too much.
On the video side, I manage my subscriptions but for many others, it's overwhelming which is why I see the streaming bundles taking off. Particularly the ones through Amazon Prime. You view things through the Amazon Prime app including other streaming services you subscribe through Prime. That and everything else that Prime comes with. Amazon latching onto everything. Eventually if video games get so ridiculous, it'll probably end up like that too. The evil would be the return to required bundling and no individual streaming services like back to cable and paying for 300 channels you don't watch to get the 5 you do want
 
It’s always the next game…. For Gamepass

It’s always next yr will be the yr for Xbox

lol yall never learn . New yr same shit. it won’t change . Xbox does not have exclusive games that are appealing to the world of gaming

Yall can argue against it but that’s what matters

It needs bangers for games.
 

clarky

Gold Member
On the Call of Duty YouTube channel, you wouldn't even know the game is coming to Game Pass.
Maybe your right and they did a deal with Sony to cut short the COD deal in return for getting it on gamepass this year but only have limited marketing. Make sense i suppose.

Could have sworn it mentioned gamepass at the end of the ads i saw the other day though, i'd had a drink though so could be mistaken.
 

EN250

Member
Microsofts promotion of COD being on GP has been very half-hearted, they don't even show any platforms on any COD advertising I've seen irl, let alone talking it up on GP.
Maybe because they know there is too much money to lose when majority of cod players on Xbox will religiously pay for the game, regardless if it's being "giving away" on Gamepss 🤷‍♂️
 
There are a few wrinkles to be worked out but to be fair, I think if you can sell a gaming solution as simply a controller and an onscreen app, that's the future.

I just don't think most people want this and especially if they have to pay a $20 monthly sub for it.
 
Maybe your right and they did a deal with Sony to cut short the COD deal in return for getting it on gamepass this year but only have limited marketing. Make sense i suppose.

Could have sworn it mentioned gamepass at the end of the ads i saw the other day though, i'd had a drink though so could be mistaken.
It's not marketed on the Call of Duty X page either.
 

XXL

Gold Member
Maybe your right and they did a deal with Sony to cut short the COD deal in return for getting it on gamepass this year but only have limited marketing. Make sense i suppose.

Could have sworn it mentioned gamepass at the end of the ads i saw the other day though, i'd had a drink though so could be mistaken.

The contract ended in 2023.
 

Kvally

Member
I see Game Pass being pushed hard for this game for the past month at least.

Launch Trailer announces Game Pass for PC



Launch Trailer announces Game Pass for Xbox



Call of Duty Main page:

Fv90bJ8.jpeg


Main page on mobile app for Game Pass:

5SkUVZI.jpeg


Default at Xbox.com mentions Game Pass:

CZxFWKO.jpeg


Default at Game Pass main page mentions Game Pass:

9P8Pqwz.jpeg

Default at Activision's main page mentions Game Pass:

e6Bl2gj.jpeg


It's also showing on my Xbox dashboard as the first item coming soon. Also so commercials for it during the Packer game that mentioned day one on Game Pass.
 
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I see Game Pass being pushed hard for this game for the past month at least.

Launch Trailer announces Game Pass for PC



Launch Trailer announces Game Pass for Xbox



Main page on mobile app for Game Pass:

5SkUVZI.jpeg


Default at Xbox.com mentions Game Pass:

CZxFWKO.jpeg


Default at Game Pass main page mentions Game Pass:

9P8Pqwz.jpeg

Default at Activision's main page mentions Game Pass:

e6Bl2gj.jpeg


It's also showing on my Xbox dashboard as the first item coming soon. Also so commercials for it during the Packer game that mentioned day one on Game Pass.

All those trailers are on the Xbox YouTube. Good that Activision's website at least shows it, though.
 

//DEVIL//

Member
I dont think COD is the type of game that can help subscriptions and i doubt that COD playerbase is interested in playing many other games and even if they were its still a loss for them since the less playtime for COD the less opportunities on selling microtransactions.

I personally wouldnt touch BO6 if it wasnt on gamepass, but i doubt that same is true for the majority. The eventual fallout will be fun to pay attention to.
I am 100% don’t agree with you.

For many cod players, once the new one is out, the old one barely get any play.
Instead of paying 70$ every year ( PC release talking here ), you pay 60$ more ( per year ) and so a total of 130$ give or take ( assuming you couldn’t find something cheaper from websites) , you get to play that game all year plus whatever else MS has in store like Indiana Jones or whatever + try different games from the catalogue they have.

In theory it’s really appealing.

Too bad the console version is a rip off because they wanna charge u to play online lol
 
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I see Game Pass being pushed hard for this game for the past month at least.

Launch Trailer announces Game Pass for PC



Launch Trailer announces Game Pass for Xbox



Call of Duty Main page:

Fv90bJ8.jpeg


Main page on mobile app for Game Pass:

5SkUVZI.jpeg


Default at Xbox.com mentions Game Pass:

CZxFWKO.jpeg


Default at Game Pass main page mentions Game Pass:

9P8Pqwz.jpeg

Default at Activision's main page mentions Game Pass:

e6Bl2gj.jpeg


It's also showing on my Xbox dashboard as the first item coming soon. Also so commercials for it during the Packer game that mentioned day one on Game Pass.


I think one thing I saw some youtube guys talking about that made a long of sense is this sort of marketing is still garbage. Think about it. If you know nothing about Gamepass and you saw this ad and it said "Get it on Gamepass day 1". Would that even mean anything to you? My nephew is a PC gamer and has no idea what game pass even is. I really do think MS not only needs to advertise gamepass more but they need more just gamepass ads with an explanation of what it is.
 

Kvally

Member
I think one thing I saw some youtube guys talking about that made a long of sense is this sort of marketing is still garbage. Think about it. If you know nothing about Gamepass and you saw this ad and it said "Get it on Gamepass day 1". Would that even mean anything to you? My nephew is a PC gamer and has no idea what game pass even is. I really do think MS not only needs to advertise gamepass more but they need more just gamepass ads with an explanation of what it is.
Ok
 
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