Tencent taking Call of Duty to the masses
2012-07-03 22:29
San Francisco - Chinese internet company Tencent, South African media giant Naspers owns a 34% stake, is teaming up with the developers of blockbuster video game <em>Call of Duty</em> to offer a free version of the game to players in China.
The Chinese company made huge contributions to the media group's turnover and profit in the latest financial year.
Now, the internet company will be offering a free version of Call of Duty online to Chinese gamers through a deal with the game"s developers, Activision Blizzard, a unit of France's Vivendi.
The game, which allows players to take the role of a military shooter, will be free to play and monetised through the sales of in-game items, a statement from the two firms said.
"We are very excited about our relationship with Tencent and the opportunities for gaming in China," said Bobby Kotick, chief executive of Activision Blizzard.
Martin Lau, president of Tencent, said Call of Duty Online "will attract tens of millions of loyal fans in China".
In the gaming model designed specifically for the Chinese market, players can personalise their weapons, characters and equipment.
The Call of Duty franchise has several versions. The latest, Modern Warfare 3 raked in a record $775m worldwide in its first five days after being introduced last year.
*News24 is a Naspers publication.
