The next Call of Duty game is set to make a significant change by launching on Xbox Game Pass on day one, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. This move marks a departure from the traditional standalone, full-priced sales model that the popular military shooter series has followed in the past.
According to the report, Xbox will make the game available on Game Pass while also offering it for individual purchase. As part of Microsoft’s 10-year deal with Sony, the upcoming Call of Duty title will also be released on PlayStation, where Game Pass is not available.
While Microsoft has expressed its interest in adding Activision Blizzard’s catalog to Game Pass, the idea of premiering new Call of Duty games directly on the service has not been explicitly confirmed until now. The Wall Street Journal suggests that Xbox will make an official announcement regarding the next Call of Duty at its Xbox Games Showcase on June 9th, aligning with previous rumors.
There seems to be some internal debate within Xbox about bringing new Call of Duty titles to Game Pass, given the significant sales figures the franchise typically generates with each annual release. However, Microsoft is likely banking on the allure of having the game on Game Pass to attract and retain subscribers.
Rumors surrounding this year’s Call of Duty game suggest it will be titled Black Ops 6, following the successful Black Ops: Cold War. The game is rumored to be set during the ’90s Gulf War and is reportedly aiming for an October release.
The Xbox Games Showcase on June 9th is expected to provide more details about the upcoming Call of Duty game, along with other announcements such as the next Gears of War installment and release dates for titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Avowed, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. It’s an exciting time for gamers, and Xbox users can look forward to some major developments in the gaming landscape.
