How would you define the success of Activision's cross-platform play feature for Call of Duty titles?

Introduction

Defining the success of Activision's cross-platform play feature for Call of Duty titles requires a comprehensive approach that considers multiple stakeholders and metrics. To effectively evaluate this product success metric problem, I'll follow a structured framework covering core metrics, supporting indicators, and risk factors while considering all key stakeholders.

Step 1

Product Context

Activision's cross-platform play feature allows Call of Duty players on different gaming platforms (e.g., PlayStation, Xbox, PC) to play together in multiplayer modes. This feature aims to unify the player base, reduce matchmaking times, and increase overall engagement.

Key stakeholders include:

1. Players: Seeking a larger pool of opponents and the ability to play with friends on different platforms.
2. Activision: Aiming to increase player engagement, retention, and potential monetization.
3. Platform holders (Sony, Microsoft, etc.): Balancing the benefits of a larger player base against potential loss of platform exclusivity.

The user flow typically involves:

1. Player logs into their Call of Duty account
2. Selects a multiplayer game mode
3. Gets matched with players across various platforms
4. Plays the game with a mixed-platform lobby

This feature aligns with Activision's broader strategy of creating a unified Call of Duty ecosystem across multiple games and platforms. It also helps combat competition from other popular multiplayer games like Fortnite and Apex Legends, which have successfully implemented cross-platform play.

In terms of product lifecycle, cross-platform play is in the growth stage. It's been implemented in recent Call of Duty titles and continues to evolve with each new release.