Microsoft reportedly plans to launch its next “Call of Duty” as an Xbox Game Pass subscription service, a shift from its traditional approach of selling the title independently.
A source disclosed this change on Friday, who preferred to remain anonymous as the plans are confidential. The announcement is expected during Microsoft’s annual Xbox showcase, set for June 9.
Microsoft, which acquired “Call of Duty” Activision Blizzard in a $69 billion deal that concluded late last year, has not yet responded to inquiries for comment.
“Call of Duty,” a top-selling first-person shooter game, has generated over $30 billion in lifetime revenue. Traditionally, Activision has released new editions annually, with recent prices around $70 each.
This strategy update aligns with a statement from Xbox President Sarah Bond at a recent conference, where she mentioned plans to release all first-party Xbox games on Game Pass on their launch day.
Microsoft’s Game Pass service, offering access to a wide range of games for a monthly fee, is part of the company’s strategy to expand its Netflix-style game subscription offerings. This move challenges Sony’s dominance of PlayStation consoles.
As of February, Game Pass boasted 34 million subscribers, a significant increase from 25 million in 2022.
Industry analysts suggest including “Call of Duty” in Game Pass may attract more subscribers. However, it may impact conventional sales figures. “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III,” released in November 2023, is currently the year’s second-best-selling game, just behind Sony’s “Helldivers II,” as reported by Circana.
