Game publisher Activision Blizzard Inc. and Chinese internet services provider Tencent Holdings Ltd. are teaming up to bring Call of Duty Online to Chinese video game players.
Financial terms were not disclosed. The multi-year deal gives Tencent the exclusive license to run Call of Duty Online in mainland China. The game is free for users to play, but items are sold in the game.
Activision Blizzard said that Call of Duty Online will allow Chinese gamers to personalize their weapons, characters and equipment. They can also enhance their weapons and gear by making purchases at a virtual store in the game.
“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,” Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick said in a statement.
Activision Blizzard is a subsidiary of France’s Vivendi SA. Activision Publishing Inc., an Activision Blizzard subsidiary, has had Call of Duty Online in development for about two years.
In May Activision Blizzard and the makers of “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” agreed to settle a fight over millions of dollars in royalties out of court. Terms were not disclosed.
Shares of Activision Blizzard rose 43 cents, or 3.6 percent, to $12.38 in midday trading. They have traded in a 52-week range of $10.40 to $14.40.