COD online to be subscription-based?

Activision may be considering a subscription-based multiplayer option for the Call of Duty series.

The service would be "in addition" to features the series offers today, according to a mysterious survey drudged up by Destructoid. In other words: you wouldn't lose, only gain.

The paid-for service "may" offer early access to content like map packs and betas; increase character customisation options; add enhanced statistic-tracking and community features; include exclusive in-game modes and challenges; and open a suite of team-management services for competitive play.

Examples given are persistent attributes that carry over from game to game, War Rooms to meet and plan in and exclusive tournaments and leagues.

These will be paid for monthly, quarterly or yearly, or included with Special Edition versions of the game at retail. The survey asks, "How likely are you to purchase or subscribe to this online service when the next Call of Duty game comes out?"

Activision told Eurogamer it does not comment on rumour and speculation.

But it's not the first time Activision has mulled over the idea of a more ambitious online approach for Call of Duty - a series that has an already popular and robust multiplayer segment.

"When you think about other properties that we own and control like Call of Duty, and what would be the natural evolution of a property like Call of Duty into a massively multiplayer environment, and how do you monetise that, the same rules apply," said Kotick in March 2008, leaking learning from talks with Blizzard while the pair discussed mergers.

Modern Warfare 2, the sixth Call of Duty game, is developed by Infinity Ward and due out 10th November for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. We stuffed the gamepages below with tons of E3 content. Go check. Now, soldier!