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