Today Activision announced that Call of Duty is going free to play, well in China anyway.  The new game Call of Duty Online for China will capitalize on the multiplayer that the Call of Duty franchise is already really well known for, with a lot of COD heads like myself playing not much else but this.

It will introduce a new gaming model designed specifically for the Chinese market.  This new model will allow players the ability to personalize their weapons, characters and equipment far more than they have not been able to do in previous COD titles.  Using an in-game store, players can enhance their weapons, gear, and perks built specifically for the Chinese market.  So of course Activision will still be making their money as people purchase new weapons to ensure that they keep up with the Jones’s through the store.

The new game will also bring a variety of game modes and maps and features an original story told through a series of Special Operations missions based on theCall of Duty: Modern Warfare® universe.

The game has been in development for around 2 years by Activision Publishing.  Under the multi-year agreement with Activision Publishing, Tencent has the exclusive license to operate Call of Duty Online in mainland China.

“We are very excited about our relationship with Tencent and the opportunities for gaming in China,” said Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard.  “We think China is one of the most exciting places in the world for us to grow our business and to develop innovative new games.”

Check out the trailer and see what you think for yourself.