Analyst predicts 'Black Ops' subscription

Call Of Duty: Black Ops may offer a premium subscription, according to an analyst.

Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter said that Activision may have delayed announcing the idea so as not to hurt the launch sales of the game.

"It's likely that around 60-70% of the people who buy Black Ops do so to play online multiplayer, and a greater number of the first week purchasers," he told Industry Gamers.

"Even if Activision retained fully free online multiplayer, the mere mention of a 'premium' subscription service will tick off some consumers, and there might have been a backlash at the precise time that they needed to set records. They decided not to take that risk."

Pachter predicts that Activision could introduce virtual items for $1 each as well as an optional monthly subscription that would provide complete access to premium goods and map packs.

It was also added that Activision could introduce a subscription across all Call Of Duty releases, and even all Activision and Blizzard games.

Although it was noted that he had no insider information about the firm's plans, CEO Bobby Kotick has previously expressed interest in subscriptions for the Call Of Duty series.