Pixel P&L: Activision Abandons Alternating Call of Duty Release Strategy After Black Ops 7 Backlash

Welcome to another Pixel P&L edition. This issue takes 5 minutes to read. If you only have one, here are the 5 most important things:

• Activision abandons its annual Call of Duty pattern after Black Ops 7 underperforms.

• The global gaming market is projected to hit $350 billion by 2030, with cloud gaming revenue surging 1,207%.

• Krafton India became the official publisher of Real Cricket mobile game following Nautilus acquisition.

• UK Prime Minister investigates Rockstar's dismissal of 31 employees amid union-busting allegations.

• Saudi Arabia launches the Kingdom of Gaming conference for December 2026, expecting 20,000 attendees.

Let's get into it.

Activision Abandons Annual Call of Duty Pattern After Black Ops 7 Underperforms

Activision is ending its alternating Modern Warfare and Black Ops release strategy following disappointing reception of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. The publisher announced plans to "deliver, and overdeliver" on franchise expectations, offering a free trial next week while committing to enhanced seasonal support based on player feedback.

The shift aims to provide "absolutely unique experiences" annually, with developers promising "meaningful, not incremental" innovation, though specific plans remain undisclosed. The decision follows mounting criticism of Black Ops 7, which currently holds a Mostly Negative rating on Steam with 1,422 reviews.

U.S. congressman Ro Khanna recently condemned alleged AI-generated imagery in the game, calling for regulations preventing companies from using AI to "eliminate jobs to extract greater profits." Activision previously spent nearly $1.8 billion developing three Call of Duty titles, excluding marketing costs. Despite current challenges, the development team maintains the franchise's "best days are ahead."

Global Gaming Market to Reach $350 Billion by 2030, BCG Projects

The global gaming market will generate $350 billion by 2030, marking a 6% increase as the industry rebounds from its post-pandemic slump, according to Boston Consulting Group research.

Mobile in-app purchases will account for 37% of 2025's gaming revenue at $130 billion, boosted by alternative app stores following legal rulings against Apple and Android. One-third of adults and 40% of teenagers have purchased from developer-owned web stores, significantly improving publisher margins.

Cloud gaming revenue is forecast to surge 1,207% from $1.4 billion in 2025 to $18.3 billion by 2030, reaching over 50 million users. The shift reflects Gen Alpha's preference for subscription-based and live-service games across multiple screens.

BCG notes gaming development is becoming "increasingly democratized" through user-generated content and AI, with 20% of recent platform launches using AI tools and 50% of studios exploring the technology.

⚡️Quick Bytes

Krafton India Becomes Publisher of Real Cricket Mobile Game

Krafton India has formally assumed publishing duties for Real Cricket, one of India's largest homegrown mobile gaming franchises. The transition follows Krafton's March 2025 majority acquisition of Pune-based developer Nautilus Mobile. The latest update introduces the RC Pass progression system and Real Rewards T20 Series offering real-world prizes. Five IPL franchises including Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals are officially licensed, with more teams planned. Krafton aims to leverage its global publishing expertise alongside Nautilus' decade of cricket game development to expand the franchise across India and international markets.

Saudi Arabia Launches Kingdom of Gaming Conference for December 2026

Saudi Arabia will host the Kingdom of Gaming conference on December 1-3, 2026, in Riyadh, expecting over 20,000 attendees and 300 exhibitors. Organized by Tahaluf, a joint venture between GDC organizer Informa and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, the event anticipates 25 investment and publishing deals. The initiative aligns with Vision 2030 to position Saudi Arabia as a global gaming hub. The kingdom holds stakes in Nintendo, Take-Two, and Capcom through its Public Investment Fund, which recently led EA's $55 billion acquisition with a 93.4% stake.

UK Prime Minister to Investigate Rockstar's Dismissal of 31 Employees

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to investigate Rockstar's dismissal of 31 employees after Labour MP Chris Murray raised union-busting allegations during Prime Minister's Questions. Rockstar fired staff across UK and Canadian offices last month for alleged "gross misconduct" related to leaking company secrets. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain claims employees were terminated for organizing union activities on Discord. Over 200 Rockstar North employees petitioned for colleagues' reinstatement. Starmer called the case "deeply concerning," affirming workers' union rights while ministers review the matter.

⚔️Side Quest

🤣Laugh:

📺 Watch: Geoff Keighley reveals the year-long controlled chaos behind The Game Awards, explaining how he balances world premieres with honoring developers, curates surprises for maximum discoverability, and navigates industry complexities. 

🎮 Play: UNBEATABLE delivers a stylish rhythm game with an emotionally resonant story about self-expression and finding your path. With a soundtrack that stays with you, striking visual design, and intuitive gameplay, this labor of love from D-Cell Games offers both cathartic storytelling and pure rhythmic fun worth experiencing.

📚 Read: Midjiwan AB CEO Christian Lövstedt calls out the gaming industry for ignoring mobile games despite representing 55% of the global market. His open letter challenges award bodies and media for perpetuating a "shrinking definition" of legitimate gaming, arguing that credibility requires celebrating innovation across all platforms where players engage.

💡Did You Know

Despite Pac-Man's 1980 arcade debut, the first publicly witnessed and verified perfect score of 3,333,360 points wasn't achieved until July 3, 1999. Billy Mitchell accomplished this legendary feat at the Funspot Family Fun Center in New Hampshire, playing for six hours straight without losing a single life. Reaching a perfect score requires clearing all 256 levels, eating every dot, power pellet, ghost, and bonus fruit without dying once. The achievement demands not just exceptional skill but also encyclopedic knowledge of ghost patterns and optimal routing. Mitchell's accomplishment stood as gaming history for nearly two decades before perfect scores became more common among dedicated players.

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