Microsoft Said to Plan Release of Next Call of Duty Game on Xbox Game Pass Subscription Service

Microsoft's next Call of Duty title could be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch, unlike previous releases that were sold independently.

By Reuters | Updated: 18 May 2024 14:12 IST

Microsoft Said to Plan Release of Next Call of Duty Game on Xbox Game Pass Subscription Service

Photo Credit: Reuters

Activision previously released new editions of Call of Duty annually priced at around $70 each

Highlights

Microsoft's next Call of Duty title could arrive on Game Pass at launch
The decision could be announced at Microsoft's annual Xbox showcase
Microsoft acquired Call of Duty through its buyout of Activision Blizzard

Microsoft plans to release the coming installment of the "Call of Duty" videogame to its subscription service, in a departure from its longtime practice of only selling the title independently, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.

The move is expected to be announced at the company's annual Xbox showcase, scheduled for June 9, the person said on the condition of anonymity as the plans are private.

Microsoft did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news on Friday.

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Microsoft acquired "Call of Duty" through its buyout of Activision Blizzard in a $69 billion deal, which closed late last year.

The first-person shooter video-game is among the most successful entertainment properties and has generated more than $30 billion in lifetime revenue.

Activision has long released new editions of the game annually priced at around $70 each in recent years.

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The development comes just days after Xbox President Sarah Bond said in a conference the company plans to release all first-party Xbox games on Game Pass on the day of their launch.

Microsoft manages a subscription service called Game Pass, which offers access to games from Xbox and other developers for a fee.

The Redmond, Washington-based company has tried to build out the Netflix-style game subscription services aggressively in recent years as part of its efforts to break the dominance of PlayStation consoles made by Japanese rival Sony Corp.

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Microsoft said in February Game Pass had 34 million subscribers, up from the 25 million it reported in 2022.

Analysts said the launch of "Call of Duty" — a franchise with a large and loyal fan base — would help draw more people to Game Pass but could affect the overall sales generated by the title.

"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III", released in November 2023, is the second-best selling game so far this year. It trails Sony's "Helldivers II", according to industry tracker Circana.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Good
Tight, responsive gunplay
Excellent visuals
Flawless performance

Bad
Warzone-style Open Combat missions
Lack of bombastic set pieces
Bland missions and story
Unsatisfying ending
Cluttered, confusing menu design

Read detailed Activision Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023) review

Genre Shooter

Platform PlayStation 4 (PS4), PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PC: Windows

Modes Single-player, Multiplayer

Series Call of Duty

PEGI Rating 16+

More Activision Games

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