ByteDance Unveils New AI Voice Assistant for ZTE Smartphones 
Firelight Launches as First XRP Staking Platform on Flare, Introduces DeFi Cover Feature 
Apple Leads Singles’ Day Smartphone Sales as iPhone 17 Demand Surges 
Microchip Technology Boosts Q3 Outlook on Strong Bookings Momentum 
Hikvision Challenges FCC Rule Tightening Restrictions on Chinese Telecom Equipment 
Coupang Apologizes After Massive Data Breach Affecting 33.7 Million Users 
Baidu Cuts Jobs as AI Competition and Ad Revenue Slump Intensify 
Apple Alerts EU Regulators That Apple Ads and Maps Meet DMA Gatekeeper Thresholds 
Morgan Stanley Boosts Nvidia and Broadcom Targets as AI Demand Surges 
YouTube Agrees to Follow Australia’s New Under-16 Social Media Ban 
Trump Administration to Secure Equity Stake in Pat Gelsinger’s XLight Startup 
Australia Releases New National AI Plan, Opts for Existing Laws to Manage Risks 
EU Prepares Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s AI Integration on WhatsApp 
OpenAI Moves to Acquire Neptune as It Expands AI Training Capabilities 
Sam Altman Reportedly Explored Funding for Rocket Venture in Potential Challenge to SpaceX 
Amazon and Google Launch New Multicloud Networking Service to Boost High-Speed Cloud Connectivity 
Video game fans who are still on the fence on whether or not they should buy “Call of Duty: Vanguard” are getting a chance to try its full multiplayer content later this week. The announcement follows reports that the game has seen underwhelming sales.
The developers announced the free trial for “Call of Duty: Vanguard” on Tuesday, which will run from Thursday, Nov. 18 to Monday, Nov. 22. Players will be able to access all features that were launched for the multiplayer mode, including “over three dozen weapons,” all Operators, and game playlists. The trial also includes access to 17 core maps of the game, including the new Champion Hill and the upcoming remake of Shipment.
Note, however, that the trial only includes the “Call of Duty: Vanguard” multiplayer. Players will have to purchase the game if they want to access its single-player campaign and the Zombies mode. Those who bought the game will be given 24-hour exclusive access to the new map Caldera before it comes to “Call of Duty: Warzone – Pacific” on Thursday, Dec. 2.
While this is not the first time Activision offers a free trial post-launch, the free access is announced shortly after the game was released. VGC notes that its timing is “uncharacteristic,” considering that the trial will be offered just two weeks after “Call of Duty: Vanguard” was launched.
It is also worth noting that the free “Call of Duty: Vanguard” trial comes after the game’s year-over-year sales are reportedly down by 40 percent in the United Kingdom. The latest “Call of Duty” iteration still grabbed first place in the region’s top-ten chart on its opening weekend, dethroning “FIFA 22.” Reports from Game Sales Data (via GamesIndustry.biz) reveal that the game’s physical sales were down by 26 percent, while digital sales dropped 44 percent.
There might be another reason for the unusual timing of the free trial offer, though. The announcement post heavily implies that the addition of the Shipment map is one of the highlights that players should try during the trial period. And the free “Call of Duty: Vanguard” multiplayer access will kick off just a day after Shipment’s addition to the game.
