In a surprising move, Microsoft has scrapped its $1 trial offer for the Xbox Game Pass service just days ahead of the highly anticipated release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. With this move announced on the 8th of October, potential subscribers who wish to have access to the service before the game is launched on the 25th of October have no affordable option.
Xbox Game Pass Trial Axed Is Microsoft Betting Big on Call of Duty?
Since Microsoft is no longer offering the 14 day trial, gamers will have to invest their 30 days into Xbox Game Pass to enjoy Black Ops 6 campaign. It can be rather useful for players willing to play the next instalment of this legendary saga but unwilling to spend much money on paying for it.
Some industry watchers have questioned the timing of Microsoft’s move, saying it puts the company’s subscription service strategy into perspective. This way the company seems to be relying on the popularity of the game to get the full subscriptions, especially when competition is high during the holidays.
Hopefully Mr. geedeby will also force the next PAX cancellation from the gaming community into compliance. Some of the players complained that they have lost a chance to advance through the service while the others believed that the focused subscription by Microsoft could help them boost overall profits.
As the launch date approaches, the spotlight remains on how this decision will affect both Xbox Game Pass subscriptions and the success of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Only time will tell whether Microsoft’s decision will be to its benefit if two million fans that anxiously await the release of SkyKD is anything to go by.
Microsoft’s $1 Game Pass Trial Takes Another Hit Ahead of Call of Duty Launch
In a unprecedented move that the company has done before Microsoft has once again withdrawn the $1 Game Pass trial. The trial was then suspended in March, but resumed in August at half its original length, simply lasting for only two weeks. The latest cancellation, which precedes the launch of *Call of Duty: Large is the corporate’s choice to delay the trial similarly to how it did with Black Ops 6, while many awaited the release of Starfield in September.
It is not surprising that the trial has been discontinued, particularly when Microsoft continues to find ways of increasing the subscriptions to Game Pass. Having scheduled the release of *Black Ops 6* for October 25, the company seems set on recasting occasional gamers to subscribing clients, thus ratcheting up the moneymaking engines that are the favored brand.
In particular, this pattern of cancellation generate questions regarding the sustainability of Microsoft’s subscription model. As we see, by eradicating all the low-cost entry points, the company appears to be eager to apply blockbuster titles as the means towards achieving more solid members increase.
Unfortunately, gamers will now have to decide on subscribing for a full month of Xbox Game Pass just to play Call of Duty, which could have an impact on the number of people who do this. While there are those who may fume, there are others who see it as likely Microsoft is relying on the game and its prowess to drum up the action.
While the gaming community prepares for Black Ops 6, much will be expected of this cancellation especially on the side of subscriber strength as well as the overall offering of Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft decided to make a risk, which could change the position of a subscription service within the company as it struggles in the sphere of gaming.
Microsoft’s Call of Duty Strategy Balancing Game Pass and Sales Revenue
Current publications revealing that Microsoft has been working on the extension of the license for new Call of Duty launches as a part of the Game Pass service. There are internal issues that some people in the company have concerns that this particular offer may actually affect the normal sale of franchises. Taking Call of Duty that is selling over 20 million copies at around $70 each it is clear that such decision will have huge effect.
While the $1 trial can affect both, sales and the subscription lists, it could also turn out to be a downside for Game Pass. In some ways, by making COD available for a low price, Microsoft effectively shifts attention away from full-game purchases, which has been a big portion of Activision’s revenue stream. A balance of subscription and sales revenue is important in this respect as the firm plans for its over future business model.
In a notable development, Microsoft plans to launch Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Modern Warfare III, and Warzone on Xbox Cloud Gaming later this month A post shared by Call of Duty (@callofduty) on May 6, 2021 at 6:00am PDT. It will be a historic event since some of the titles will be instantly available for cloud streaming through Microsoft’s new acquisition, Activision Blizzard.
It not only makes Call of Duty games more available but also shows how Microsoft incorporates prominent titles into the Game Pass offering more value to the client. The launch there could attract new subscription base who would want to play the latest games without having to own an Xbox console.
Microsoft’s strategic management in the gaming subscription and the traditional revenue streams will be keenly observed especially considering the decision of adding Call of Duty titles to the Game Pass. The results of these strategies might reshape distribution and consumption of large gaming franchises in the emerging market.