Xbox Game Pass is already a great deal, but it’s missing one big video game series that could make it essential for fans of shooters.
We’re talking about Call of Duty, the blockbuster military combat franchise that puts players in a tizzy with its heated multiplayer modes.
Given that Xbox parent Microsoft now owns Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard, you may wonder why its biggest-selling games aren’t on Game Pass yet. Well, the good news is the Call of Duty franchise is almost guaranteed to arrive on the game subscription service at some point — with one massive caveat.
When is Call of Duty coming to Game Pass?
Figuring out exactly when it will land is a bit more complicated — and has only been made murkier by the recent cuts in Microsoft’s gaming division.
Amid all the drama involving Microsoft’s shake-up at Bethesda last week which, if you missed it, saw three game studios shuttered, an interesting tidbit surfaced about Call of Duty’s passage to Game Pass.
Game Pass price increase
The Verge’s Tom Warren revealed that Microsoft was not only “debating” whether to put new releases of Call of Duty on the service, but also was considering raising its subscription price. Specifically, he mentioned a possible increase for the priciest Game Pass Ultimate tier, which lets you download and stream games for £13 per month.
What has Activision said?
That sounds much less concrete than the statement Activision released last autumn before its acquisition by Microsoft. Name-dropping Modern Warfare 3 and Diablo 4, the publisher said it would put its titles on Game Pass in 2024 once the deal closed. It partly made good on its promise by releasing Diablo 4 on the service in March, but Call of Duty is still absent.
What has Microsoft said?
Meanwhile, higher-ups at Microsoft are adamant that Activision’s games are headed to Game Pass. In March, Xbox chief Phil Spencer said its “intent” was to put its full portfolio of games, including from Activision and other studios, on the service on the day of their release. More recently, Xbox President Sarah Bond echoed those comments last week when she said the plan was to launch the company’s titles on Game Pass on day one.
What’s taking so long?
It seems Microsoft is facing a dilemma regarding its biggest hit. On the one hand, Call of Duty could give Game Pass a much-needed boost amid reports of stagnating subscriber numbers. Then again, by doing so it stands to lose out on the revenue generated by sales of the game, which costs £70 a pop.
According to analysts, Activision Blizzard is Microsoft’s biggest gaming cash cow. In the latest quarter, it pretty much generated all the bank for the firm’s gaming division while console sales plummeted.
Of course, Microsoft could also forego the upfront purchase fee to guarantee long-term Game Pass subscribers — safe in the knowledge that Call of Duty players spend big bucks on in-game purchases.
The Verge’s Tom Warren also mentioned that the vibe inside Microsoft has shifted because of its new strategy to put games on multiple platforms. It has a lot to mull over between now and the end of the year.
The elephant in the room here is that if you exclude Activision Blizzard from this quarter, Xbox Gaming revenue is down ~5% YoY with no software & services growth and sharp hardware revenue decline.
— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) April 26, 2024
In other words, you can see why Microsoft sees M&A as essential for growth. https://t.co/DdIIOsUM9g
When will we hear more?
Players keen to find out more may not have long to wait. Mark June 9 in your calendar as that’s when Microsoft holds its next big Xbox games showcase, followed by a special presentation devoted to the next Call of Duty. All the games in that virtual event will likely be destined for Game Pass — and maybe we’ll get an update on the Activision line-up to boot.
