Italy Investigates Microsoft Over Microsoft 365 AI Subscription Price Hike 
Samsung and SK Hynix Shares Jump After Micron Earnings Boost AI Chip Optimism 
Australia Plans Higher Fines for Social Media Firms Failing to Block Underage Users 
Cerebras Revenue Forecast Tops Expectations, but Margin Concerns Weigh on Stock 
Firmus Partners With Nvidia to Deliver 170,000 AI GPUs in $30 Billion Cloud Infrastructure Deal 
OpenAI May Delay IPO to 2027 Amid $1 Trillion Valuation Goal 
US Seizes Nearly 400 Illegal World Cup Streaming Domains in Global Anti-Piracy Crackdown 
SK Hynix Moves Closer to New York ADR Listing Amid AI Chip Boom 
Apple Supplier Stocks Slide as Samsung, SK Hynix Lead Selloff After Apple Price Hikes 
Doncasters Raises $919 Million in NYSE IPO as Aerospace Growth Accelerates 
Samsung, SK Hynix to Unveil Record AI and Semiconductor Investment Plans Worth Over $646 Billion 
Baidu Shares Rally as Kunlunxin Eyes $50 Billion Hong Kong IPO 
Republican Lawmaker Introduces AI Incident Reporting Bill to Strengthen U.S. AI Safety 
Morgan Stanley Raises Tesla Q2 Delivery Forecast on Strong Europe and China Demand 
The government is ‘doubling down’ on its social media ban. But bigger penalties for platforms aren’t enough 
Lenovo Shares Slide as AI-Driven Memory Demand Signals Higher DRAM and NAND Prices 
UBS Raises TSMC Price Target to T$3,400 on Strong AI Chip Demand Outlook 
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.
