Tag: Call of Duty: Mobile

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft’s Xbox mobile gaming store could release as soon as 2024

Microsoft envisions a future where Apple will be forced to open up its App Store to third-party storefronts and hopes to take advantage of this changing tide with its own Xbox mobile marketplace.

In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer said that Microsoft wants “to be in a position to offer Xbox content from both us and our third-party partners across any screen where somebody would want to play.”

“Today, we can’t do that on mobile devices but we want to build towards a world that we think will be coming where those devices are opened up,” said Spencer.

This isn’t the first we’ve heard of Xbox’s mobile gaming ambitions. Back in October, Microsoft detailed plans to build its own mobile apps store in a filing to the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority tied to its pending purchase of Activision Blizzard.

The Xbox mobile store will likely feature notable Activision Blizzard-owned mobile games like Candy Crush Saga, Call of Duty Mobile, Diablo Immortal and more.

While Microsoft could easily launch an Xbox storefront on Android right now, it needs regulators to push Apple to allow alternative stores on the iPhone and iPad. Through the EU’s Digital Markets Act, this could become a reality in the coming months.

“The Digital Markets Act that’s coming — those are the kinds of things that we are planning for,” said Spencer. “I think it’s a huge opportunity.” Microsoft has a small presence in mobile gaming right now, and the Xbox maker admitted that in a filing with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) last year: “Microsoft currently has no meaningful presence in mobile gaming and the [Activision Blizzard] transaction will bring much needed expertise in mobile game development, marketing and advertising,” said Spencer during the interview.

Microsoft’s Xbox App Store will also likely be tied to its Xbox Cloud Gaming platform that allows players to stream dozens of titles, which is available through a native app on Android and via a browser on iPhone. With this in mind, it likely wouldn’t be difficult for Microsoft to adapt this app into a more unified app store on Android, and then port it over to iOS.

Source: Financial Times Via: Polygon

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Mobile Syrup

Activision says it’s ‘committed’ to Call of Duty: Mobile, despite Microsoft’s earlier comments

Activision and supporting developers have quickly come forward to confirm they are “committed” to Call of Duty: Mobile as “part of the entire Call of Duty franchise.” This statement comes days after Microsoft said the contrary to regulators.

On Twitter, the official page for Call of Duty: Mobile posted a statement regarding the longevity and support of the title. In an effort to quell the worries of fans, the statement says that the team intends “to continue supporting the game with a robust roadmap of fresh new CODM content, activities, and updates for the long haul.”

This ordeal comes as part of the ongoing saga of Microsoft’s planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Last week, Microsoft informed U.K. regulators that Call of Duty: Mobile “is expected to be phased out over time with the launch of Warzone Mobile.” Of course, with that statement, Microsoft did not divulge how long it would take for Call of Duty: Mobile to be phased out. However, the statement alone was enough to send fans into a panic.

Call of Duty: Mobile is one of Activision’s most popular mobile titles. In 2022, the game crossed the 650 million downloads threshold. However, Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile is projected to become another tentpole mobile title for the publisher. The battle royale has already seen a lot of popularity across consoles and PC.

It remains to be seen whether Microsoft’s comments were misrepresented or ill-informed while speaking to the U.K. regulators. However, as of now, it appears as though Call of Duty: Mobile will continue for the foreseeable future.

Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile is slated to launch sometime this year. Pre-registration is already available on iOS and Android.

Microsoft is continuing its pursuit to acquire Activision Blizzard. The company recently signed a 10-year “binding” agreement with Nintendo and Nvidia to avoid anti-trust concerns. However, the acquisition continues to face pushback from the likes of PlayStation and the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). However, the CMA is due to deliver its final ruling on April 26th.

Image credit: Activision

Source: @PlayCODMobile

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Mobile Syrup

Call of Duty: Mobile expected to be ‘phased out’ once Warzone Mobile launches

Call of Duty: Mobile will likely be “phased out” after Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile releases.

The news comes from none other than Microsoft as part of a larger piece for U.K. regulators in regard to its pending acquisition of Call of Duty owner Activision Blizzard. According to Microsoft, Call of Duty: Mobile “is expected to be phased out over time with the launch of Warzone Mobile” everywhere except China.

Call of Duty: Mobile is one of the biggest mobile games on the market, having topped 650 million downloads last year. However, the free-to-play Warzone brand has also been popular on consoles and PC, so it makes sense that Activision wants to tap into it on mobile.

Warzone Mobile is set to release sometime later this year. Of course, “phased out over time” doesn’t mean that Call of Duty: Mobile will immediately go away later this year, but regardless, it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re an active player.

Microsoft, meanwhile, has been working hard to get its Activision Blizzard acquisition approved in the U.K. As part of its efforts to squash anti-competition concerns, the company has signed long-term deals with the likes of Nintendo and Nvidia on Activision Blizzard games like Call of Duty. While Sony has been trying to block the deal, Reuters reported last week that it’s expected to get approved in the U.K. thanks to these agreements.

Image credit: Activision Blizzard

Source: Microsoft

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Mobile Syrup

Call of Duty Mobile tops 650 million downloads worldwide

Activision Blizzard has announced that its Call of Duty Mobile game has surpassed 650 million downloads around the world.

The free-to-play first-person shooter first launched in November 2019 and reached 500 million downloads in May 2021. Contributing to the 150 million additional downloads since was the game’s launch in China last year.

On top of that, Activision Blizzard said Call of Duty Mobile brought in “well above” $1 billion USD (about $1.3 billion CAD), making 2021 a record year for the game.

Beyond Call of Duty Mobile, Activision Blizzard is developing a mobile version of Call of Duty: Warzone, which Quebec City-based Beenox is working on. The company also recently unveiled Warcraft Arclight Rumble, a mobile spin on its popular World of Warcraft game.

Outside of these upcoming releases, the publisher is facing a lawsuit from New York officials over its planned sale to Microsoft. The plaintiffs argue that Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick was “unfit” to negotiate this deal amid widespread allegations of a “frat boy” culture at the company. Kotick himself has been accused of actively trying to cover up some of these incidents, including by threatening to kill an assistant.

As it stands, the Microsoft takeover is undergoing regulatory approval in multiple countries, including the U.S. and China. Activision Blizzard shareholders have voted to approve the deal, but Wall Street has expressed skepticism that it will go through.

Image credit: Activision Blizzard

Via: VideoGamesChronicle