Call Of Duty: Elite Subscription-Based Service Revealed

Don't get too upset. It's cheap and it's not even essential for online multiplayer fun.

Today, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, Activision is preparing a "premium-tier subscription service," which will launch alongside Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 this fall. This new service based on monthly fees will feature extra maps and a "free Facebook-like social network." Dubbed "Call of Duty: Elite," it will be developed by a newly formed internal studio, Beachhead, and will offer a "premium layer of content" for those willing to pony up the cash every month. But there's good news:

For the record, this doesn't mean they'll be charging you to play online; that will remain free for MW3. They're just talking about extra content, and even some parts of Elite will be free as well. Furthermore, Activision apparently expects the cost for the service to be less than Netflix's lowest-level service, which is only $8 per month. Besides, the fans will receive all sorts of cool stuff for that small fee: more map packs, for instance, and even "analytical tools that will allow players to gauge their in-game performance according to kills by weapon type and other factors."

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said Elite is designed to supplement the CoD experience and also emphasized that the multiplayer aspect will remain free.

Related Game(s): Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Tags: cod, call of duty, call of duty elite, cod elite

5/31/2011 8:30:15 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (67 posts)

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Phoenix
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 8:48:02 AM
Reply

And so it begins...

30 up, 0 down

JMO_INDY
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 3:29:02 PM

Well think about 360 gamers.. it's happening again haha Twice the payment now. Activision is going to be raking in the money from the 360 gamers.

4 up, 2 down

Ultimadesires
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 8:49:06 AM
Reply

Having to pay extra to get an advantage is pathetic, I hope this game bombs.... sadly we all know it wont...

25 up, 3 down

Superman915
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 8:49:42 AM
Reply

well..uh.. at least that 'ELITE' logo is cool.

4 up, 0 down

Kangasfwa
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 2:14:10 PM

Really? I think it's ugly as sh**.

2 up, 1 down

maxpontiac
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 8:55:14 AM
Reply

Throw in the fact Xbox Live costs you per month as well, playing COD to its fullest on the 360 makes no sense.

16 up, 4 down

Miggy
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 8:58:02 AM
Reply

At least they'll make more profit off of this.

0 up, 0 down

RadioHeader
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 9:02:45 AM

cool

0 up, 0 down

parasitic
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 9:00:17 AM
Reply

I can see why they're doing it, it's a business for them, money is their highest priority.

I guess if normal COD online multiplayer isn't affected, I'm ok with that. I wouldn't pay a monthly fee for any game though.

5 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 2:27:29 PM

It will be affected in that it will be empty.

1 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 9:15:35 AM
Reply

Extra content likes maps is one thing. If it gives people an advantage over non-subscribers, then screw this game.

15 up, 1 down

Lotusflow3r
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 9:49:17 AM
Reply

ahahaha!

To emphasise a free multiplayer?!

Sugar coated sh**.

8 up, 1 down

jimmyhandsome
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 9:52:47 AM
Reply

I don't quite understand what you get other than free maps? The ability to track your stats? Halo: Reach (and Halo 3) have some of the best stat tracking available for online shooters and its FREE. Socom 4 also allows you to see how you did in recent matches.

Lame. If I get MW3 I def won't be getting this "service".

9 up, 0 down

PANICinc
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 11:54:53 AM

MAG and KillZone have some excellent stat tracking on their community sites. KillZone 2 gave you the ability to watch a replay of your matches!

5 up, 0 down

jimmyhandsome
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 12:50:43 PM

I didn't even know that about KZ2, but that IS awesome.

2 up, 0 down

Darwin1967
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 2:48:18 PM

Actually, Call of Duty World at War offered the same thing. It was quite popular, then Kotex saw an opportunity, and voila...ELITE!

2 up, 0 down

gangan19
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 9:56:08 AM
Reply

I feel like the free multipayer means 1 or two maps of the game, Become a member play all the maps that came with the game. What a rip off

4 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 10:07:17 AM

Yeah. I need to hear how many maps come with it. I kinda want to play the Single Player, so at this point, it's sounding like a rent.

I wonder if you need the membership to get all the trophies.......

4 up, 1 down

bigrailer19
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 10:55:17 AM

I think it's completely F'd, they don't release all the maps available with the purchase of the game. That's what is important for them as a company is sales. Nobody will have CoD elite without the game, so why make people pay for more maps a month, after buying your game? It's very greedy! If it was other content of some sort kind of how the PS plus works then ok, for instance early access to maps and such ( which I also wouldn't pay for, still a rip off). But to give a certain number of players access to more content, even though non subscribers still bought the game is very ridiculous.

6 up, 0 down

gangan19
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 5:07:32 PM

instead trying to make a new game, they go an extort money from us, I personally never liked activision

0 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 10:03:54 AM
Reply

I wouldn't pay a monthly fee for extra maps... I wouldn't pay a monthly fee for any game actually. That's why I havnt gotten into mmo's, it's why I didn't get DC universe. Although I really enjoyed the beta. But as of right now just for some maps and a few other commodities no way is a monthly fee worth it, and I love playing the games too... They are truly ruining the experience.

9 up, 0 down

SvenMD
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 10:29:55 AM

Yeah, I have a problem buying a game, and then continuing to buy the same game every single month, even if I don't play it.

I hate subscriptions in general....it really adds up after a while.

5 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 10:43:32 AM

Yea, it's not like they are not making enough money off the $60 we pay for the game. O well can't stop em' now!

3 up, 0 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Wednesday, June 01, 2011 @ 8:36:19 AM

Well MMO's are quite different, you're paying a small subscription for server maintenance, the size of the servers needed to hold all these players at once and more. But then again people who play MMO's generally do nothing but play MMO's so they don't have to worry about money going elsewhere, any mmo i play is F2P only though so go figure.

0 up, 0 down

Deathb4Dishonor
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 10:27:41 AM
Reply

Figures they would do something like this... I was planning to get the game but not this service... And if they give ppl with this service some sort of advantage over non subscriber, then forget this game and i won't be getting it

4 up, 0 down

tramp
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 10:30:47 AM
Reply

i actually kind of like this idea, and i think others should join in although on a bigger scale! okay for Activision to do this on such a big franchise, but i think if we had the Sony Elite pass, which would count every stat in a Sony game would be nice, i mean tells you your number of shoots across Killzones, Resistances, Socoms, how many mile u have drove in motorstrom or gt5, or them combined! all that type of stuff would be sweet! although the advantage for none subscribers should be toned down, a reasonable advantage i think would be telling the player hotspot in a level(like where u have died the most, what corners in a racing game u need to improve on) or just slight hint or tips, just so the player can improve on there skills not to just have an advantage which u didnt earn or work on to get better at.

3 up, 12 down

jimmyhandsome
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 11:00:38 AM

Alot of companies and game developers do provide stat tracking at no extra cost. Socom has stat tracking (although you currently can't access it because of the PSN outage) as do plenty of other shooting games. As far as these "analytical tools" I'm not entirely sold on that. Sounds like BS marketing jargon to me.

I understand it costs money to provide those services (which is why I'm greatful that companies like Bungie and Zipper do it at no extra cost) but ACTIVISION of all companies need to charge EXTRA for that? Come on, now.

6 up, 0 down

coverton341
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 11:27:04 AM

Like Jimmy said, there are a large amount of games and companies that already provide this type of data for FREE... Maybe not to the full extent that this goes, or at least sounds like it goes, but they still do it.

3 up, 0 down

Oxvial
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 10:44:50 AM
Reply

Hey hackers why for once don't you hack people that well, deserve it?

Activision should get hacked by hackers view of justice, but not gonna happen those people are a farce that sure gonna play and pay this subscription crap on their PC's or 360's.

Last edited by Oxvial on 5/31/2011 10:45:51 AM

6 up, 1 down

Culoslap
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 11:02:33 AM
Reply

Lol.

3 up, 0 down

Nas Is Like
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 11:02:41 AM
Reply

Do people that replied realize the overall multiplayer will STILL be free, or did they just skim through the article and assume you now have to pay to play online? Honestly, I'm baffled. This is smart on Activision's part because they know the game will be popular and sell quite well. So why not offer extra (aka OPTIONAL) content and have the gamers pay for it if they want it? Easy way to make money. I'm not saying I like the idea, but I don't hate it either. I see it from their perspective, and they are doing the smart thing.

Last edited by Nas Is Like on 5/31/2011 11:05:41 AM

5 up, 12 down

Oxvial
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 11:05:37 AM

Because is obvious they are testing waters, next step they gonna add all the cool things on the subscription package that should be on the main multiplayer.

4 up, 2 down

Nas Is Like
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 11:10:23 AM

Well this is basically like a form of DLC, and people don't have a big problem with that. So why do they have a problem with this one?

0 up, 9 down

bigrailer19
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 11:11:19 AM

They are doing the smart thing to make money, sure. But the problem lies with how greedy they are. When I purchase MW3, and I will, I will instantly feel ripped off knowing there are more maps available than what I paid $60 for, and that I'll probably never get to play because I won't pay monthly for that. It's one thing to release maps via DLC it's another to make someone pay monthly fee to get them. It's a ridiculous money scam and that's all it is. If you feel like you'll get your $60 worth, knowing full well to get the most out of MW3, a game you supported and love to play, you'll have to spend a monthly fee also, thats fine. But I won't be along side you advocating any such thing.

Last edited by bigrailer19 on 5/31/2011 11:12:50 AM

10 up, 0 down

jimmyhandsome
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 11:12:20 AM

First off, NaS-NaS-NaS is the illest.

Now that that's out of the way....

I don't think anyone who posted here thinks that multiplayer will no longer be free.

People have an issue with this because 1) its Activision and 2) many people believe that paying for DLC (the free maps) and a subscription fee (for "analytical tools to help players gauge their in game performance") is ridiculous. Obviously the best way to b*tch about this sort of thing is to not sign up for it.

But how much more money does Activision need to hemmorage out of its consumers? A subscription fee would be somewhat acceptable if it seemed to offer something substantial to playing online.

Last edited by jimmyhandsome on 5/31/2011 11:13:12 AM

5 up, 0 down

Nas Is Like
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 11:15:57 AM

@bigrailer19

Fair enough, and some good points too. Like I said though, I don't like the idea either but I don't hate it either.

2 up, 7 down

bigrailer19
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 11:27:09 AM

Its just too bad that to get more out of the game they require you to pay monthly, as if DLC, and yearly installments isn't enough, ya know!?!?

5 up, 0 down

FM23
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 11:57:36 AM

@Nas...I agree, they are doing the smart thing. At the end of the day...it's business and securing your wealth. Activision doesn't care about the consumer as far as money is concerned. And it's optional. I don't like it either, but I agree with their business practice though I don't agree with it as a consumer. Everything is about money and gaming is no different. So good to live in America...lol

0 up, 4 down

FM23
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 11:52:34 AM
Reply

GREEDY?...YES...BUSINESS SAVY?...YES....WISE PURCHASE?...NOPE

6 up, 3 down

Scarecrow
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 11:53:54 AM
Reply

lol...

0 up, 2 down

NiteKrawler
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 12:29:13 PM
Reply

I seriously wonder what CoD will be like in 10 years.

2 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 1:06:05 PM

Hopefully; gone.
or better.

4 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 7:25:54 PM

Tony Hawk and Guitar Hero say it'll be the former.

1 up, 0 down

Nynja
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 12:32:37 PM
Reply

Kiss My @$$.

Never.

2 up, 0 down

Vidius
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 12:34:18 PM
Reply

The only thing I pay online for is WOW. Nothing else. I'm not gonna dish out the 60 for MW3, when I know the game could have way more content than originally planned. Greedy Ccksuckers Antivisionated company. I fully support blizzard, but not their so called bast parent company.

1 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 1:05:50 PM
Reply

Im not the first to say it:
meh.

however... actually no, thers nothing about this to tempt me. unless it gives me free burgers (mmm) no. tbh, not even then.
I was gonna say though, the online could use updates to give it more guns, i get tired of using the same old ones. because i try the others, use em til im blue in the face and then go back to the good ones.

1 up, 0 down

Claire C
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 1:11:37 PM
Reply

Zero interest.

That's all I got.

=^.^=

7 up, 0 down

Clamedeus
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 1:17:54 PM
Reply

A subscription for extra maps? Not worth it in my opinion, I don't mind buying DLC, but this isn't worth it in my books.

2 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 1:23:12 PM
Reply

What concerns me yet more than this is Sony's support for the idea. Oh yes, Sony came out and said that it is likely that more companies will follow the Call of Duty: Elite route, but that it will only work for games with large fanbases. If they're right, who expects something like this for AC3, GT6 or Dead Space 3?

Also, it just seems silly. Other companies provide this content for free. Now, I could understand if it somehow improved the experience, but simply augmenting is should not be enough for people to pay for this rubbish.

Although I must say that I like the ambigram.
Peace.

3 up, 0 down

DjEezzy
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 1:31:01 PM
Reply

Pretty much like putting out $15 DLC every few months. Since i have a hard time buying those, I don't think I'd go for this either.

1 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 2:13:00 PM

The worst part is now you'll have that DLC to purchase on top of this monthly fee to get access to all the maps. Unless of course they plan on releasing the maps you get by subscribing, as DLC later. Then I ask what's the point in a monthly fee? Stupid, ad such a slap in the face for consumers.

Last edited by bigrailer19 on 5/31/2011 2:13:57 PM

2 up, 0 down

johnld
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 2:12:23 PM
Reply

so.... activision finally found out a way to charge more for their map packs. instead of paying the 15 bucks for a map pack, they "let" you pay for the map packs with a monthly fee that doesnt come out every month while all the other "perks" can be had for free. i believe most games already have websites that track stats and socialize with other players. Oh, they're for free.

1 up, 0 down

kevinater321
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 2:22:47 PM
Reply

The smart thing would do would be to have all these features in the game, then a month later release this service. So people who got the game first got to have a free moth of this and get a taste for it. Once you get a taste you want more... that would be the smart thing to do (money wise) but i think this will just increase the bf3 sales.

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 2:37:06 PM
Reply

Well Kotick did say he wants to ruin gaming. I don't understand this stuff where "It's still free, you just have to pay for it!"

It's the terrifying online return of shareware!

Haven't the CoD lovers suffered enough by loving these games and thinking they are the best of the best?

This is going to work, and work well, on peer pressure alone. Once one person gets it, all their friends will HAVE to get it so they can play those maps.

They should have just called it "L337" and been done with it.

5 up, 0 down

Geobaldi
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 3:16:18 PM
Reply

Uh...no. The game isn't even worth the initial $60 you pay for it much less monthly payments.

0 up, 0 down

Killa Tequilla
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 3:51:54 PM
Reply

You guys have it all wrong. You buy what you want. There will be x number of maps, guns, etc. You buy only what makes you feel happy inside. Small part of the game is free, then you buy what ever it is you want. I guess if you have money to blow, who cares? Like my buddy, he'll go all out on this.

Let the thumbs down begin!

0 up, 6 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 4:03:49 PM

but then you can't play the game with people who have the extras because the sh*t isn't on your console.

5 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 4:48:36 PM

And World just described the biggest problem of DLC.

5 up, 0 down

friction
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 4:05:35 PM
Reply

They're just giving bf3 the advantage.
Bf3 all players receive all content, not to mention they'll probably do a free map pack for people who buy new like they did like last time.
I just really hope take two doesn't sell it self to this greedy ass company.

4 up, 0 down

Mamills
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 4:40:13 PM
Reply

oh man, i actually feel sorry for 360 MW gamers now.
that's not 1 (Internet Bill), not 2 (XBOX Live Bill), but 3 (Modern Warfare bill) bills to pay.
i must say these game companies sure do know how to milk their audience.

and what do u get?
stat tracking?? extra maps? lol
what a joke.

ahh well im noticing more and more game companies trying to pull this crap too.

(Battlefield P(L)ay for free)
anyone seen the prices of the stuff in that game?
its like $15 for a gun.

lol, im in the right industry

4 up, 1 down

bluedarrk
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 5:58:02 PM
Reply

I wonder what kind of advantage they would have? Different weapons, perks, or kill streaks? I have a feeling that the game industry is going towards to more and more dlc to make more and more money. I know BF3 has said there is dlc for a game that's not out yet! Now I know if I reserve it at game stop I get it for free. But to be honest I hate game stop more than activision. So I'm pissed at EA for being greedy and forcing me to buy the game from game stop.

2 up, 0 down

Pandacastro
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 6:43:16 PM
Reply

I think uncharted 3 should have this but be free.

0 up, 1 down

Lairfan
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 @ 9:46:47 PM
Reply

Well, we all knew it was coming sooner or later. I expect this "supplementary service" to eventually become the actual CoD "experience" in a couple of years. Its the easiest way to phase out the single player that no CoD fanatic seems to care about anymore, plus you get to milk the series even more.

0 up, 0 down

gray_eagle
Wednesday, June 01, 2011 @ 1:47:46 AM
Reply

looks like they just had $$$ in their eyes and didn't stop to think.
if my freind signs up for the elite service, i wont be able to join him
unless i dish out money for the map pack he got for free....
they need to chage COD's name to, CCS (cash cow shooter)

0 up, 0 down

Godslim
Wednesday, June 01, 2011 @ 3:20:46 AM
Reply

i really dont get it.....its just a stat tracker :S

0 up, 0 down

___________
Wednesday, June 01, 2011 @ 4:55:40 AM
Reply

oh joy!
we get to pay for more COD crap!
and no, not that type of fish.............

0 up, 0 down

Kev85
Wednesday, June 01, 2011 @ 5:24:26 AM
Reply

Everyone knew stuff like this was coming. its only a matter of time before they charge for online multiplayer in general, there slowly easing it in. If they just charged right off the bat people wouldnt buy it. give it another 2 call of duty releases.

0 up, 0 down

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