Call of Duty maker Activision to be bought by Microsoft as UK regulator gives OK Signal. Microsoft's bid for Activision Blizzard has been given UK final approval, removing a last hurdle to the biggest-ever gaming deal. The UK's regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority, said that this will give the go-ahead after this deal substantially addressed its earlier concerns.
The video game industry is a vast and dynamic space, with a myriad of titles vying for the attention of gamers worldwide. Amidst this dense forest of digital adventures, one name stands out, consistently capturing the attention of millions: “Call of Duty” (CoD). Owned and published by Activision, this franchise has carved a niche for itself, becoming synonymous with high-quality, adrenaline-pumping action. In this article, we will explore the rise of “Call of Duty” under Activision's stewardship and its undeniable impact on the gaming landscape.
Call of Duty made its debut in 2003, aiming to offer gamers an immersive World War II combat experience. Its intense single-player campaign coupled with gripping multiplayer modes made it an instant hit. Activision, known for its keen sense of market dynamics, recognized the potential of the franchise and nurtured it to its current colossal stature. The genius of Activision lay not just in producing stellar games but in continually reinventing the CoD universe. Over the years, gamers have been treated to various sub-series within the franchise, from the Cold War intrigues of the “Black Ops” series to the futuristic combat scenarios of “Infinite Warfare.”
While the single-player campaigns of Call of Duty titles are undoubtedly riveting, it's the multiplayer mode that catapulted the franchise to legendary status. Activision introduced innovations in gameplay mechanics, match structures, and progression systems. The “killstreak” rewards, customizable load-outs, and dynamic maps became a hallmark of the CoD multiplayer experience. The competitive nature of “Call of Duty” multiplayer matches led to the rise of e-sports events centered around the game. Activision recognized this trend early on, fostering a community that would eventually see “Call of Duty” tournaments with massive prize pools and viewership numbers.
It was concerned the US giant would gain too much control of the new cloud gaming market, but changes have been made to the deal. After Activision was bought by Microsoft, the worry was that Microsoft would lock up competition in cloud gaming as the market took off, limiting competition & increasing prices for UK cloud gaming customers.