It’s that time of year again folks. It’s that time of year where Activision does something so blindly anti-consumerist that we sit back and question why their product still outsells everybody else come November. Wait where are my manners. Sit down, and let me tell you what they did this year.
History Lesson
Activision is no stranger to controversy when it comes to what they do to monetize or mess with the community. Let’s play a game of “Anti-consumerism Baseball” with Activision up to bat, with each mistake they make counting as a strike.
Fans were sick of the futuristic movement after Black Ops 3. Realizing Infinite Warfare was going to be the most hated entry in the franchise’s lifetime, Activision committed a tragic war crime; they blocked access to Modern Warfare Remastered behind a paywall of the Legacy Edition or higher (which at the time of release was $80 or more). Activision also said the game was not going to be sold separately, but then later went back against their word. Strike one, Activision.
Okay, I actually forgot this next part actually happened. Remember that patent Activision filed back in 2015 in regards to micro transactions? That came out right around the time World War 2 was scheduled to release, also hinting at Black Ops 4. Any who, the patent was in a effort to get players to buy loot boxes by putting players in lobbies with other players who spent the money and got the newer weapons. It was a mess and all Activision basically responded with was “Wasn’t me bro”. Strike two, Activision.
For those of you at home keeping track, Activision is at an 0-2 count right now.
So as many of you may or may not know, Call of Duty is coming out with a new title this year, Black Ops 4 developed by our beloved Treyarch. Let’s forget that this game already has fans divided with the Overwatch/Rainbow Six Siege style of play. We’re looking at what really drives these games: the D-L-C.
Black Ops Pass
Every year, we go through the season pass phase of Call of Duty. Purchase the season pass, get all the future maps and whatever extra nonsense included for $50. In theory (I hate that saying by the way), it’s a good deal. C.O.D usually makes 3 DLC packs a year, with 3 maps and a zombies map, which if purchased separately, is around $15. Cool.
This year they’re doing things differently.
Enter the Black Ops Pass. With the said pass, you gain access to all the content, but instead of it being delivered in packs, you get access to said content throughout the year. I’m assuming it’s kind of like Fortnite, where instead of waiting 3 months for the next maps, it’ll come out in a shorter release window. Here’s the best part…
You have to purchase higher editions of the game in order to get the pass. Oh, and it’s not sold separately, and you can’t buy the DLC individually.
But wait, there’s more!
Head on over to GameStop (or click the link), and you will not be disappointed. Scroll down to the bottom and you will see this lovely paragraph
” *Black Ops Pass (BOP) content is not final, is subject to change, and may not include all downloadable content available for the game. BOP content may not be available in all countries, and pricing and release dates may vary by platform. BOP content should be downloaded from the in-game store only; do not purchase separately, or you will be charged again. BOP content may be sold separately.”
Strike three, Activision.
Activision Support
Listen I stopped buying DLC packs awhile ago. I think it’s been since Black Ops 2, and even then, I don’t think I did buy the map packs. However, this is ludicrous.
If you head over to the Activision support page, they give you all the information you need to know about this change. It’s rich. This is the best Q & A I saw..
“7. I’ve already pre-ordered the physical base version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. How can I upgrade to get the Black Ops Pass content?
If you pre-ordered the physical base version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, return to your retailer to upgrade your pre-order to an edition that includes Black Ops Pass.”
Thoughts
I’m speechless to say the least. We’ve finally seen developers like EA retrace their steps and remove paid DLC. Fortnite provides free updates and content (minus the Battle Pass, but it’s worth getting in my opinion and can be bought with V-Bucks which can be earned through PvE). Hell, even The Division 2 is getting free content post launch. Yet this concept is so damn hard for Activision to grasp. It’s astonishing. Not to mention there’s no dang campaign in this game, so essentially they’re cutting more content this year to sell you content. Are you kidding me?
The internet is ablaze with harsh criticism for this change, but I honestly don’t think it’ll change anything. Regardless of how many people boycott it, the big YouTubers and streamers will still support this, and those who don’t fall into said categories will buy it as well.
This is really a divisive situation. Like with any product, there are the people who will support it and those that won’t. charlieINTEL put a poll together regarding the pass.
This is what Activision does; divide the fanbase and reap in the rewards. This is unacceptable.
Call to Action
Listen peeps, I’m not telling you to burn Activision to the ground or kill anybody who works there. I’m just wondering how much more are you going to take?
I couldn’t support this even if somebody bought it for me. I think this gets more and more despicable because we’re not getting what we wanted from Call of Duty. We don’t want weapons in loot boxes or special abilities. We just want simple gameplay and no B.S.
I think the Call of Duty community has to take a page from Battlefront 2 and make some noise. It’s one thing to have a season pass, but it’s another to have content locked behind a massive paywall. Come on now.
There are mixed reports that say this pass will be sold separately, and that Treyarch intends to have free content accessible for all. I understand that this probably isn’t the final form of the Black Ops Pass, but if it was, then the majority of people would be pissed. I mean, Activision could even rework this season pass, but that won’t be enough. As it is right now, the fact that they came up with something like this is heinous.
Think about it folks. This year could honestly be the year where change can happen just like with Battlefront 2 last year. I’m not telling you to ostracize the people who support it because that’s irrational thinking. You need to put your money where your mouth is or else it’s gonna be a long holiday season for all of us.
I want to hear what you think about this. Are you going to buy it or are you skipping it? Are there changes to this system you’d make? Let me know in the comments below!
johnnysworld.blog 
If you play Battlefront 2 now it is a very different game. We have new modes we get updates every month (We did only get a patch in July thanks to people going on vacation). They game is very different and I agree that the COD community needs to start just keep on telling the Dev’s what the want.
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I’ve been keeping tabs on it. It looks different, and I’m glad the game is receiving continued support. It just sucks that it came out wonky. Unfortunately with Call of Duty, people will still buy it, and people who complain are just labeled whiners. It’s a tricky situation
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