Update: Expect to learn a lot more tomorrow with an NDA lifting, but one detail that’s been clarified by Infinity Ward’s Robert Bowling is that Elite is a free service, and that certain, undetermined aspects of it will cost money.
Original Story:This year’s Call of Duty title, Modern Warfare 3, will bring with it an optional, monthly subscription service that the franchise will carry into future titles. Such a thing was rumored after a survey inquired about the possibility in 2009. Activision denied that Modern Warfare 2 or Black Ops would see a subscription, but CEO Bobby Kotick did admit last year he’d like to see CoD as an “an online subscription service.” Sure enough, he’s getting his wish with Call of Duty Elite.
The Wall Street Journal brings word of Elite, which will provide content beyond what you’d expect to be on the game disc, including more of the map packs that have been so successful. Elite will also offer functionality similar to that of stock-trading websites that allow players to track in-depth statistics. Another feature mentioned was a social networking service of sorts that allows players to find similar players to join up with, which will be free for everyone to use. A “digital platform” was announced earlier this year as coming from Activision’s Beachhead studio which Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter theorized could be a subscription service.
