There was a lot of speculation within the last year as to whether the next Call of Duty game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, was going to be a pay-to-play video game. It created an uproar in the community – most games, aside from massive multiplayer online role-playing games (also known as “MMORPGs”), were never pay-to-play, especially on X-Box Live where there is already an initial subscription fee (which was increased in November 2010).
Then came the announcement of Call of Duty Elite – an addition to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. While Call of Duty Elite does have a subscription-based system (or renewal fee), it is not totally necessary to play the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, which is set to released November 8th, 2011. There is a free version, which has some content, but not all; and there is the paid version, which is $49.99 for the year (if you got the Hardened edition of Modern Warfare 3, then it’s included).
For the most part, the paid version, logically, includes everything that the free version includes, so let us start with what the free version of Elite contains:
-Stat Tracking – Career Stats, Recent Games and stat summaries, trophies and achievements, custom leaderboards, Facebook friend import, etc.
-Elite Access via Other Platforms – This includes viewing profile stats on other platforms such as Android smartphones, web browers, tablet applications and more.
-Performance Improving – Heat maps, official guides for weapons, perks and more, etc.
-Friend Stat Tracking – Players can see how they compare to their friends
-Group leaderboards and messaging
-Theater – Like in Black Ops, players can upload small video clips and watch other clips in Theater Mode
-Clan Support
-Free Events
The paid version, which, as stated before, is $49.99, contains all the aforementioned content, plus:
-“Free” Downloadable Content – This included all maps that are released, plus Spec Ops missions and more.
-Events and Competitions – Prizes can be won and there are specific leagues.
-Exclusive Clan Benefits – Players can level up their clan and gain other content and benefits.
-Guides and Strategies – Players can come up with strategies and share them, or view other people’s to gain insight to other styles and dynamics of game play.
-First Serve – Paying members will be the first to access new Call of Duty Elite features.
-Theater – Players with the paid version get an enhanced version of the Theater Mode.
-Elite TV
-Elite Founders also get additional perks
While dishing out an additional $50 may seem too much to some people, it’s actually a worthy investment if players plan on buying the additional downloadable content in the future (Remember: the last DLC packages have been $15 a pop, and that was JUST for some maps [and a Zombie map in Black Ops]).
To top it off, efficient clan support is something the Call of Duty community has been pushing for for some time now. Players will finally be able to efficiently and collaboratively band together for the greater good of team-based gaming!
Conclusively, Call of Duty Elite is a program everyone should use to increase their skill (and fun) level in-game. Serious gamers would seriously benefit from all the additional content in the premium (paid) version – making it a worthy investment that will save money over time. Plus, who wants to be caught without that cool new map or Spec Ops mission?
Ending Note: All information was found on the official Call of Duty website.