Activision Makes Significant Changes to Call of Duty DLC Delivery in Black Ops II

Activision/Blizzard is making some significant changes to the way it delivers CoD DLC when Call of Duty: Black Ops II arrives next month. Also getting a free offering is its 'Elite' service.

Basically, "Call of Duty: Black Ops II DLC will be sold separately via the discounted Season Pass Bundle or a la carte as Individual Map Packs" so we're told.

In terms of the Elite service additions are being made to it that include:

· Player HQ – Track Call of Duty: Black Ops II performance with rich game statistics, including enhanced match information such as heat maps and recent match data; track challenges and extensively modify your classes like never before using Treyarch’s new Pick 10 Create-a-Class system.

· Clan HQ – Join an existing clan or start your own, invite friends and then take part in Call of Duty: Black Ops II clan competitions with cool digital prizing.

· Zombies Support – For the millions of Zombies fans out there, now you can track your Zombies personal statistics and compare it to other players’ around the world.

· Call of Duty Elite TV – Launching with tablet support with Call of Duty: Black Ops II, the new Call of Duty Elite TV will deliver a renewed community focus featuring developer tips and strategy programming, custom class overviews and more.

Basically, Activision has realised that during a time of economic hardship, making the Elite "service" - which is basically a way to tie to FPS audience to CoD rather than - for example - Medal of Honor (sic) or Battlefield from rival EA - only available to people prepared to pay a premium is a bad idea.

Therefore making it free to all and sundry will encourage micro-transactional spends - which are less painful in the short term.

Source: Activision