They will become more niche one way or another.
Just like people on mobile don’t expect to pay for their games.
Having COD and King was a golden and unexpected opportunity that MS couldn’t miss (even if the contractual obligations are a pain short-term). It’s a long-term acquisition.
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Not many are “slow and steady wins the race” kind.
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MS are in this for the long haul, they didn’t buy Activision and CoD in order to win the next few years
They are thinking 10/20 years into the future where the inevitable subscription wars will be in full force, MS will abide by the contracts in place just as they did with Bethesda
Reminder that we’re basing this on the assumption that the contracts involve not releasing on Game Pass whatsoever. Please let’s delay this conversation because it’s pointless now.
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Yeah. Imagine having COD exclusively on your subscription service and bunch of other IPs too. ATVI was a unique opportunity.
When the market changes - exclusive IP on your subscription platform will matter more than retail. Just like retail started to matter less in front of MTX and recurring revenue.
It cannot be said enough. It was an opportunity that does not come around often and Microsoft thought it was too good to pass. The contract situation around CoD is not ideal but in the grand scheme of things, it is a minor bumb in the road.
What’s your prediction for the big(s) title(s) from XGS or Bethesda for the Holidays 2023 (or what studio instead of the game) ? With a big casual appeal ? Since Activision may not release the annual COD (unsure when Warzone 2 is supposed to launch. Maybe Overwatch 2 and Diablo IV from ABK too but multiplat in any case).
- 2020: nothing
- 2021: Halo Infinite / Forza Horizon 5
- 2022: Starfield
Nothing comes to my mind instantly.
Sony may have Spider-Man 2 but I would tend to think it will slip into 2024 (planned for 2023). Nintendo no idea.
Basically, this is a long term plan and not right away. Unless they do something else but for now, that’s the idea.
Not an unreasonable assumption, especially after the court leaks of the marketing contracts for Resident Evil.
I personally have no ideas or expectations. We are not at that stage yet to think about it - as we literally don’t know even the years of when the games are released, we don’t have stable cadence of releases, we don’t have a lot of games announced either.
I hope Xbox showcase will have a lot of exclusive first party games and less third party games.
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I think we can safely assume that each and every Sony’s deal include a clause not to release on Game Pass. As Sony can’t (or just don’t want) prevent the games from being released on Xbox (we are not in Xbox One era anymore), they will opt to fight Game Pass.
Maybe, Microsoft can get the marketing deal for FIFA or GTA back. Would probably do wonders for the sales numbers, especially in combination with the COD marketing.
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Look, you all way overestimate Sony’s hand here. The real position here is that Xbox CAN put future COD games on Playstation which amounts to around 500 million in revenue for Playstation per year, even more when you lump in microtransactions. Xbox COULD also say nah you’ll get Warzone 2 and that content and since you’re unwilling to work with us on the marketing contract you will receive nothing else in the future. Say buh-bye to that revenue Sony.
Just stop and think about who has the upper hand here.
Hope we will see some Starfield trailer this week.
The thing is that everything is a long term play there. I mean they are unable to play this hand until 2024-2025 so at least for the next 2-3 years. Microsoft long play is to have a subscription service that has a lot of exclusive IP. Sooner or later COD will dissappear from Playstation platform.
Microsoft projects that the deal will be closed by Spring of 2023. They can play their hand when it closes.
With the delay of COD release? It will move to 2024 at least.
Not necessarily. Warzone 2 releasing in 2023 could satisfy the contract if its based on a yearly release. The contract was negotiated before Activision had Warzone so its unlikely it was treated differently in the contract, especially considering that Sony receives benefits on that title as they do any others.
Microsoft is going to honour the contract no matter what’s in it.
There probably isn’t going to be any kind of renegotiation about the marketing contract.
They are letting the contract run out and every party involved knows there isn’t going to be another PlayStation marketing deal.
Additionally, the 500 million you speak about? That number looks small in comparison to what Microsoft would miss.