Xbox Game Pass Gets Major Boost with Call of Duty Day-One Launch

Microsoft just took a bold step forward in reshaping the future of subscription-based gaming by announcing that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will launch on Xbox Game Pass day one. This marks the first time a mainline Call of Duty title, one of the most lucrative franchises in gaming history, will be available at no additional cost to Game Pass subscribers upon release.

The landmark move was confirmed in a new statement from Microsoft and Activision, as well as a teaser trailer showing off glimpses of the highly anticipated installment set during the Gulf War era. With Black Ops 6 scheduled for a global release later this year, players across Xbox consoles and PC will be able to download and play the game as part of their existing Game Pass subscription—no $70 price tag required.

This announcement signals a monumental shift in strategy for both Microsoft and Activision following the tech giant’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023. By bringing a blockbuster franchise like Call of Duty directly to its subscription platform, Microsoft is doubling down on its Game Pass vision: offering high-value, day-one access to premium titles as a core driver of the service.

Industry analysts are calling this a “Netflix moment” for gaming, comparing it to the likes of big-budget film releases landing on streaming platforms. With Call of Duty often topping annual sales charts, this inclusion could significantly spike Game Pass subscriptions heading into the holiday season.

However, the decision hasn’t come without backlash. Some fans and retail partners have voiced concerns that a day-one Game Pass release could cannibalize traditional sales and hurt brick-and-mortar game stores. Others worry that tying such a massive franchise to Game Pass will pressure gamers into subscribing rather than owning.

Regardless of the controversy, one thing is clear: Microsoft is betting on Game Pass as the future of gaming, and placing Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 front and center raises the stakes for everyone else in the industry.

The game will be fully unveiled during Xbox’s upcoming showcase on June 9, where more details—possibly including multiplayer footage and story mode—are expected. Stay tuned to TheGamerScene.co for all updates from the event.