Microsoft plans to launch this year’s Call of Duty via Xbox Game Pass for the first time, in a first for the franchise.
That’s according to The Wall St Journal, which today reported that Microsoft had now made the decision ahead of the game’s formal unveiling next month.
While Xbox has always brought new first-party games to Xbox Game Pass on day one, and Activision Blizzard is now a Microsoft first-party publisher following the completion of its $68.7bn takeover, there had still been a question mark over whether Call of Duty would be included.
Alongside FIFA, now EA Sports FC, Call of Duty remains one of the most reliable franchises to still sell millions each year – and every year. Including it in Microsoft’s subscription service will make a dent in that sales revenue – but it will also undoubtedly help drive sign-ups to the subscription service.
Key questions now are whether Xbox Game Pass remains at its current price point, or whether Call of Duty might only be included in a pricier tier.
“This is the right move for Microsoft because it’s a multi-platform title that is being sold for $70 outside of the subscription and because it’s a live service title with in game purchases,” games industry analyst Daniel Ahmad wrote. “That model can also work for other Xbox first party games.”