Xbox Shocker: Call of Duty to Launch Day One on Game Pass, Microsoft Confirms

In a major shakeup for the gaming industry, Microsoft has officially confirmed that the next installment of Call of Duty will launch day one on Xbox Game Pass. The announcement, made during a surprise Xbox Wire update early this morning, sends clear signals about the tech giant’s growing ambitions to use its subscription service as a centerpiece in its long-term content strategy—especially as it integrates high-profile titles from its recent Activision Blizzard acquisition.

The Call of Duty franchise, one of the best-selling video game series of all time, has traditionally relied on premium full-price sales. This move marks a seismic shift not only for Microsoft, but for the entire AAA ecosystem. Opting to make Call of Duty immediately accessible to Game Pass subscribers represents a bold gamble, prioritizing player engagement and subscription growth over traditional software revenue.

“We’re excited to bring Call of Duty to Game Pass on day one,” Sarah Bond, President of Xbox, stated in today’s announcement. “It’s part of our commitment to making more games more available to more people on day one, and we believe it’s a great opportunity for the community.”

While Microsoft did not specify which Call of Duty title will be the first to follow this new model, industry insiders widely expect it to be the next mainline entry, rumored to be developed by Treyarch and set in the Gulf War era. The move could significantly shift player migration toward Xbox ecosystems and will unquestionably increase content value for existing Game Pass subscribers.

Unsurprisingly, the news has ignited fierce reactions across the internet. Fan forums are abuzz with both excitement and concerns. Longtime franchise veterans are wondering how the Game Pass model might affect microtransactions and long-term player support, while others hail the announcement as a massive win for accessibility and convenience.

With Xbox’s growing portfolio of first-party content and Game Pass’s expanding reach, Microsoft is betting big on subscriptions. Bringing Call of Duty into the fold in this way could very well redefine how high-value franchises are monetized—and experienced—in the next generation of gaming.