The Epstein files link external advisors to the push for microtransactions in Call of Duty

Internal emails reveal conversations about monetization and minors in the early years of the model.

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A new revelation from the so-called Epstein Files has sparked a heated controversy in the video game industry. Recently published documents include emails in which advisors linked to Jeffrey Epstein participated in conversations related to the introduction and expansion of microtransactions in Call of Duty, with messages that have caused a stir due to their tone and focus.

The exchanges, dated May 2013, involve Epstein, futurist Pablos Holman, and then-CEO of Activision, Bobby Kotick. They debated the idea of “introducing kids to an economy” through rewards and digital objects within games.

Emails dated after the release of Black Ops 2

The conversations took place just a few months after the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, the first game in the series to feature microtransactions. Activision began experimenting with customization packs, additional spaces, and paid player cards, with the first content of this type released in April 2013.

In one of the emails, Kotick discussed real-world rewards linked to in-game achievements, mentioning everything from phone minutes to iPhone credits and virtual objects. Another message attributed value to the idea of “real-world events“, although the example cited again revolved around digital items within video games, something that has been heavily criticized for its context and language.

• Over the years, the model expanded significantly. Call of Duty: Ghosts, released the same year, expanded the offering with paid special characters, voices, skins, camouflage, and even weapons, marking a turning point in the series’ monetization.

More references to Kotick in the files

These emails are not the only relevant mention. In the documents published by the US Department of Justice, Bobby Kotick’s name appears over 300 times, putting the spotlight back on the relationship between high-ranking industry executives and Epstein during that period. The files even indicate that Kotick was invited to Epstein’s private island in 2012, a year before these conversations.

Although there is no confirmation that these ideas directly translated into concrete design decisions, the revelations have reopened the debate about the origins of the microtransaction model, its rapid expansion in AAA shooters, and the impact it has had on young audiences. The now-public information adds a new and controversial chapter to the recent history of one of the most influential franchises in the industry.