Activision opts for a new content policy with Call of Duty Black Ops 4. After the launch, DLCs will provide the game with additional content. However, all of these are tied to the Season Pass. Individually, these contents will not be available for purchase. For customers, this means: all or nothing.
Strategy shift at Call of Duty: Activision is pursuing a different strategy for future DLCs for its upcoming title Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 than it has in previous years.
So far: In recent years, Activision has offered a Season Pass for each installment of the Call of Duty series, which included several post-launch DLCs – usually four spread over a year. With the Season Pass, it was possible to obtain these DLCs as a bundle at a lower price. However, all DLC packs were also available individually if one had no interest in specific contents.
Post-launch content for Black Ops 4 only with Season Pass
With Black Ops 4, it will be different: This time, Activision and Treyarch are offering a Black Ops Pass. With this Black Ops Pass – that is, the Season Pass for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 – buyers are supposed to be supplied with new content faster and more frequently during the first year-long live season, instead of receiving new DLCs only four times a year.
Although more details are expected soon, only the following contents are known so far:
- “Classified” a bonus zombie experience that will be available at launch
- New zombie experiences: IX, Voyage of Despair, and Blood of the Dead
- Twelve multiplayer maps
- Four exclusive blackout characters
In addition, further fresh post-release content is set to find its way into the game.
But beware: The contents of the Season Pass are not set in stone and may change until launch. Furthermore, there is no concrete timetable for when to expect which contents.
The biggest problem: Activision will not offer the post-launch content for Black Ops 4 individually, but only as a bundle in the form of the Black Ops Pass (Season Pass). For players, this means in reverse: Either buy everything or completely forego the additional content.
“The contents included in Black Ops Pass may only be purchased as a bundle,” says the publisher in the FAQ.
In principle, Activision is forcing fans to choose between two unattractive options: Either spend 40€ or more for a year-long content delivery in the form of DLCs – even if one does not know what kind of content will come and whether one is interested in individual components at all – or forgo purchasing the Season Pass and thus any post-launch content for Black Ops 4.
Originally, more was planned: Until recently, the Black Ops Pass was only planned within the framework of the three special editions of the game – the cheapest of which costs 99.99€. A stand-alone sale – that is, as a separate offer – was not intended. The original official FAQ stated that the Season Pass would not be available outside of the special editions. If players later decide on the Black Ops Pass, they will have the option to upgrade the regular version of the game to an edition that includes the Season Pass.
But after the first corresponding press reports appeared, there was an update to the FAQ. Now it states that the Season Pass will also be available separately at a later date.
Sven thinks – a risky decision: This “all or nothing” strategy carries a risk for Activision. Because some publishers and direct competitors, such as EA with Battlefield 5, are taking a different route and distancing themselves from the season pass system. Given this fact, such a step understandably receives little favor. Players in initial reactions are already showing anything but enthusiasm. It will be interesting to see whether this strategy will work for Activision and Black Ops 4, or whether the publisher may reconsider its approach.
What do you think of this content policy from Activision? Do you believe the publisher will succeed with it?
