New report claims Microsoft is considering changing Day One access to Call of Duty on Game Pass
Microsoft is reportedly considering removing Call of Duty from Game Pass Day One offerings, according to reporter Jez Corden of Windows Central. If the decision moves forward, it would reverse Microsoft’s strategy of the past two years, which has seen the franchise launch simultaneously on Game Pass with Black Ops 6 in 2024 and Black Ops 7 in 2025.
Corden suggests the potential shift stems from Game Pass’s disruptive impact on Call of Duty’s traditional business model. The subscription service inclusion has apparently cannibalized sales that would otherwise come from the franchise’s premium pricing structure. Additionally, the cost of featuring high-profile titles like Call of Duty may be partially responsible for recent Game Pass price increases across Xbox and PC.
While Corden indicates this is a possibility based on sources, the move remains unconfirmed by Microsoft or Activision Blizzard. The decision would represent a significant strategic pivot for Game Pass, which has positioned blockbuster Day One releases as a cornerstone of the subscription service’s value proposition. Whether Microsoft follows through would signal potential limitations to the Game Pass strategy and how publishers view the service’s impact on game profitability.