In the footage, the developers explain how Elite will work for players. They see it as a way to elevate your online experience by buying into a package of features - and we mean buy in the physical sense because it will cost you $49.99 per year for the privilege at the premium membership. However, this will include all downloadable content for the game, which, if you look at COD: Black Ops, represented about $60 worth. Therefore, this deal could be saving you money if you're a hardcore COD fan.
However, you can join Elite for free but with diminished features, you can't play to win a host of prizes they have on offer, and you'll have to pay for the DLC at the full rate.
Elite allows you to connect with your friends or join groups with similar interests. It then gives you various challenges to complete but also gives you stats, heat maps, keep track of friends, upload videos, form clans, access from mobile devices, etc.
To be honest, most of these features are already available on Black Ops through the online menu, so we're a little unsure about why they want to lock you in to this additional feature, other than most people will probably end up purchasing all the DLC, rather than pick and choose as currently happens. It also allows player to compete in leagues, tournaments and custom events while playing for real prizes.
This is being touted as the new pay-as-you-go option for video games, where you currently pay for the game, the online service, the downloadable content and now membership to a social network. Fortunately, membership isn't essential to your enjoyment of the game, but it does mean you're not unlocking the full potential of that game without it.
This new service has definitely split gamers, with some embracing the new possibilities, particularly to choose the groups you can join online. While others see it as a greedy grab for more of your cash.
Only time will tell if COD Elite is successful. With so many video games available, other shooters to choose from and endless options for entertainment, it may fall flat. However, the COD franchise is so huge, and delivers with such great action, that many players may find themselves making the purchase, albeit reluctantly. That will open the door for other games and developers to try similar schemes. But if Elite fails to revolutionize the game industry and its revenue streams, it may be the last we see of it...