Can Microsoft Save Call of Duty?! New Owners Could Change Everything!

Summary

The video discusses Microsoft's acquisition of Call of Duty and its potential impact on the franchise. It outlines how Xbox Game Pass could revive the series by offering more affordable access to both new and older titles. The video also touches on Microsoft's ability to provide better support for games, cross-platform play, and the risk of monopolization. Concerns are raised about future support for PlayStation users and how Microsoft's control could affect competition. Ultimately, the creator questions whether Microsoft's involvement will save or further diminish Call of Duty.

Takeaways

• 🎮 Microsoft now owns Call of Duty, raising the question of whether they can save the franchise.
• 💸 Xbox Game Pass will offer all Call of Duty titles at launch, allowing players to access multiple games for a monthly fee instead of paying $70 for each.
• 👍 Players can try new Call of Duty titles for $20 through Xbox Game Pass, reducing the financial risk if they don't enjoy the game.
• 📅 Microsoft plans to reintroduce older Call of Duty titles, especially based on which developer releases that year's game.
• 🔧 Microsoft can allocate resources to developers to fix older Call of Duty games and improve support for ongoing and upcoming titles.
• 🛠️ Older Call of Duty games could receive updates to reduce issues like hacking, which has plagued past titles.
• 🌍 Cross-platform and cross-generation play is crucial for keeping the Call of Duty player base engaged, allowing players on different consoles to game together.
• 🤝 Microsoft's acquisition could create a monopoly in the FPS gaming space, potentially reducing competition and the incentive to release high-quality games.
• ⚖️ Microsoft's 10-year agreement with Sony will keep Call of Duty available on PlayStation, but there is concern about the level of support PlayStation players will receive.
• 🔮 There's uncertainty about the future of Call of Duty under Microsoft's control, with some fearing the franchise could continue its decline or even collapse in a few years.

Q & A

What is Xbox Game Pass, and how does it relate to Call of Duty?

Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service where users pay a monthly fee, like $20, to access a catalog of games on both Xbox and Windows. Starting with Black Ops 6, Microsoft will include all future Call of Duty titles on Xbox Game Pass at launch, allowing users to access Call of Duty games without paying $70 for each title.

How does Xbox Game Pass benefit Call of Duty players?

It offers flexibility to players by allowing them to try new Call of Duty games for a lower cost, without committing to a full $70 purchase. This way, players can explore older Call of Duty titles and other games as part of their subscription.

What potential change does Microsoft bring to Call of Duty’s development and support?

Microsoft can assign dedicated teams to developers like Treyarch, Infinity Ward, and Sledgehammer to provide consistent support, such as patches and updates, for both older and newer Call of Duty games, ensuring better game quality and longevity.

Why does the video mention support for older Call of Duty titles under Microsoft’s ownership?

Previously, Activision shut down fan-made mods aimed at improving older games. Under Microsoft’s ownership, the video suggests that support for older Call of Duty titles could be revived, with improvements and anti-hacker measures.

What impact does cross-platform and cross-generation play have on Call of Duty’s player base?

Cross-platform play allows players on different consoles (like PlayStation and Xbox) to play together, while cross-generation play allows older consoles to interact with newer ones. This increases the player pool and prevents hardware differences from limiting multiplayer interactions.

How could Microsoft improve the experience for older Call of Duty games in terms of cross-platform play?

The video suggests that Microsoft could introduce cross-platform functionality to older Call of Duty titles, allowing players on different systems to play together even on games that originally didn’t have this feature.

What concerns does the video raise about Microsoft’s potential monopoly in the FPS genre?

With Microsoft owning both Call of Duty and Halo, there may be less competition to drive innovation and quality. The video worries that without competition from other major FPS titles, Microsoft might not feel compelled to produce high-quality games.

Why does the video mention competition between Call of Duty and Battlefield?

In previous years, Call of Duty and Battlefield were considered rivals, which pushed both franchises to innovate and release better-quality games. Now, without similar competition, the video suggests that Call of Duty could suffer from a lack of incentive to improve.

What is the video’s concern regarding PlayStation users after Microsoft’s acquisition of Call of Duty?

While Microsoft has a binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation for 10 years, the video raises concerns that Microsoft might not prioritize PlayStation users in terms of updates and support, focusing more on their own Xbox platform.

What is the video’s overall take on Microsoft’s acquisition of Call of Duty?

The video presents mixed opinions. On one hand, Microsoft could improve Call of Duty through better support, Game Pass integration, and cross-platform play. On the other hand, the potential for monopolistic control and a lack of competition could lead to lower-quality games in the future.