'Overwatch,' 'Call of Duty' May Follow in Fortnite's Free-to-Play Footsteps: Analyst
*By Zane Bhansali*
Following Epic Games' incredible $3 billion profit gain in 2018, many game developers are eager to emulate its success. Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter predicts that Activision Blizzard will follow in Epic's footsteps by changing two of its biggest titles to a free-to-play model.
According to Pachter, Overwatch and Call of Duty may soon switch to the free-to-play model in order to meet investors' expectations.
"The real reason I think this is going to happen," says Pachter, "is that Bobby Kotick, who's the CEO of Activision, has convinced 18 members of the billionaire boys' club to buy franchises in the Overwatch League."
According to Pachter, Activision Blizzard's ($ATVI) only viable route to making back the $18 million to $24 million purchasing fees for each team slot is through advertising ー a model better suited by having more eyes on the game. To Pachter, that means more players who can understand Overwatch's frenetic pace.
"Overwatch, if you play, you get it," says Pachter. "If you don't play, it's incomprehensible. The only way you're going to ever drive more eyeballs is to make it free. The only way these 18 billionaires are going to get their investment back is if the audience expands dramatically."
Blizzard's Overwatch League has faced concerns about viewership numbers after a strong start. According to a [report from The Esports Observer](https://esportsobserver.com/10most-watched-twitch2018/), the Overwatch League Twitch channel ranked fourth in hours watched in 2018 with 74.6 million hours watched. Rival developer Riot Games logged 99.31 million hours on its own channel, while breakout Fortnite streamer Tyler "Ninja" Blevins eclipsed both, with 226.85 million hours.
Carlo and Baker cover the latest developments after a devastating tornado outbreak over the weekend, plus an eye on Omicron and inflation, and not even Spielberg can save the box office.
Carlo's joined by a quarantining Baker to discuss the headlines from the weekend as Omicron spreads like wildfire, Manchin kills Biden's signature bill and Spider-Man throws a lifeline to the box office.
Cheddar has been covering the biggest news of the week with some of the biggest names in the biz. In case you missed it, we've pulled together some of the highlights that will keep you informed as we get ready for the week ahead.
Chalkboard is the first platform for sports bettors fueled by real betting data with a unique social platform that provides seamless real-time bet tracking, score updates, and social interaction between sports fans. Ted Mauze, co-founder & CEO of Chalkboard, and Saniyah Lawson, NBA sports betting influencer & Chalkboard NBA community manager, join Cheddar News.
Sports streaming giants, such as Disney Plus and ESPN, have expressed interest and intent in adding sports betting features to their platform. As sports betting has increasingly become more mainstream, it's no surprise that businesses want to get in on the benefits these betting features have to offer. Alan Wolk, the co-founder of TVREV, joins Cheddar News.
Cheddar senior reporter Michelle Castillo dives into the aftermath of what the NCAA's changing stance on student-athletes profiting off of their name, image, and likeness.
Major League Baseball plunged into its first work stoppage in a quarter-century when the sport’s collective bargaining agreement expired and owners immediately locked out players in a move that threatens spring training and opening day.
