The gaming world is heating up with the likes of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) preparing to release upgrades of their old games. Activision is set to launch the expansion of its blockbuster World of Warcraft as it seeks to solidify its dominance in the space. During an interview on CNBC, DFC Intelligence Senior Analyst, Jeremey Miller reiterated that Activision remains in pole position with a clear opportunity of taking the gaming industry by storm.
“Early word right now is Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) is definitely in a great provision to do some mopping up. Obviously for the kids you have got the Skylanders, which is still very hot and their big titles like Call of Duty,” said Mr. Miller.
Call of Duty has not had the best of runs since enjoying peaks after release according to Miller but remains a key gaming play for Activision Blizzard.
Miller expects a move by Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) to refresh Call of duty this year to have a massive impact in terms of subscriptions and should ease concerns over the decline of the brand. World of Warcraft’s which remains the company’s best-performing subscription based game is to be released this week and expected to give Activision more traction of the gaming space.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is also pushing for share in the competitive gaming space with its Xbox gaming console that has not lived to expectations in terms of sales. The company is especially banking on the success of its blockbuster game Halo 4 heading into the New Year.
As more games continue to be played online, a number of companies are already incorporating a provision that allows their games to be played offline mostly via CD’s, just as Japan’s Nintendo does. The fact that people will continue to demand single player kind of games according to Miller will always force companies to develop games that can be played offline and mostly via CD
“The offline components of all these games are critical and it is not just say the multi-player of the game like Call of Duty or the Multi-Player in World of Warcraft, which is everything Multi-Player. It is also the digital delivery of the product itself. The digital downloads of these big games is getting larger and larger and yes that does pose a challenge for retailers but it is a boom for publishers and first parties, “said Mr. Miller
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Sony still remain key players of the online gaming landscape a position Miller does not expect Nintendo to threaten anytime soon.
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