Microsoft CEO Hails Black Ops 6 Launch as Biggest Call of Duty Release Ever
Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, recently praised the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 as the “biggest Call of Duty release ever.” According to Nadella, the game’s arrival set a record for the number of Game Pass subscriber additions on launch day.
Financial Success for Microsoft in Q1 FY2025
This news comes in the midst of Microsoft’s Q1 FY2025 financial earnings report, which showed a significant increase in gaming revenue, up by 43 percent year-over-year. Xbox content and services revenue also saw a notable rise of 61 percent year-on-year, largely attributed to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion. However, Xbox hardware revenue experienced a decline of 29 percent year-over-year.
Positive Impact of Activision Blizzard Acquisition
The acquisition of Activision Blizzard has not only boosted Microsoft’s financial performance but has also delighted investors, especially with the recent success of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Despite a slight decrease in physical sales in the UK compared to previous titles, the game’s launch on Game Pass received high praise from Satya Nadella during an earnings call.
Nadella highlighted the achievement of Black Ops 6 in attracting record-setting day one players and Game Pass subscriber additions. While specific figures were not disclosed, the CEO emphasized the game’s significance in testing Microsoft’s subscription service strategy post-Activision Blizzard acquisition.
Furthermore, the opening weekend of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 witnessed a surge in PC players, with unit sales on PlayStation and Steam increasing by 60 percent year-over-year. Developer Treyarch echoed Nadella’s sentiments, stating that the game had set several records in terms of total players, hours played, and matches during its opening weekend.
Critical Acclaim and Review
Chris Tapsell from Eurogamer provided insight into the campaign of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, describing it as “nonsensical, but surprisingly intimate.” Tapsell praised the game for its return to form, combining real-world elements with engaging action, horror twists, and cheeky charm. The verdict on the multiplayer component is yet to be delivered.