Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Reportedly Set to Launch Straight Into Xbox Game Pass

In a groundbreaking move, Microsoft is reportedly planning to release this year’s mainline Call of Duty game straight into its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal.

The announcement is expected to be made during Microsoft's Xbox showcase event in June. The Wall Street Journal states, "Microsoft plans a major shakeup of its video game sales strategy by releasing the coming instalment of Call of Duty to its subscription service instead of the longtime, lucrative approach of only selling it a la carte.” When contacted by the publication, Microsoft declined to comment.

This report aligns with recent comments from Xbox president Sarah Bond, who hinted that all Microsoft games, including those developed by the newly acquired Activision, will be available on Game Pass from day one.

Microsoft has been under scrutiny regarding the potential impact of Game Pass on game sales, especially for titles launching directly on the service. While Xbox executives argue that Game Pass can boost a game’s sales, some publishers remain sceptical. Notably, former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick opposed putting Call of Duty into subscription services. In contrast, Sony, Microsoft’s console rival, does not release its new exclusives into its subscription service at launch.

In an interview with IGN last year, Xbox head Phil Spencer was asked how he would handle the differing views between him and Kotick after Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Spencer humorously remarked, "Well, there's a different person making the decisions."

New Call of Duty games, priced at $70, typically sell around 25 million copies, generating substantial revenue. By offering this year’s Call of Duty on Game Pass from the outset, Microsoft risks impacting these sales. Nevertheless, the game will still be available for purchase across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC platforms.

With Game Pass subscriber growth stagnating, Microsoft is under pressure to attract new customers. Adding a mainline Call of Duty game at launch is expected to be a significant draw.

The Verge reports that Microsoft is contemplating another price increase for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Additionally, Activision is aiming for a late October 2024 release for this year’s Call of Duty, anticipated to be called Black Ops 6. Teasers discovered in Warzone, confirmed by developer Treyarch, have fueled these expectations. Rumours also suggest that Microsoft plans to release the Call of Duty back catalogue on Game Pass ahead of Black Ops 6’s launch.

In the midst of these strategic shifts, Microsoft is reducing its gaming workforce by 1,900 employees. Earlier this month, the company surprised the gaming community by announcing the closures of Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks and Redfall developer Arkane Austin, with fears of additional cuts looming.