Baldur’s Gate 3 director reacts to Xbox Game Pass removing Call of Duty from day one access alongside price drop — “It is a good thing creatively”
Xbox Game Pass has undergone significant pricing changes as new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma moves to restructure the service after concerns it became too expensive for players. The most premium tier, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, has received a price reduction from its original $29.99 per month, reflecting efforts to improve accessibility.
Among the strategic changes accompanying this restructuring is the removal of Call of Duty from day one access on Xbox Game Pass. This represents a notable shift in the service’s content strategy, as Call of Duty titles have traditionally served as major attractions for subscribers seeking premium multiplayer experiences at launch.
The decision has drawn commentary from industry leaders, including Michael “Cromwelp” Douse, the director of Baldur’s Gate 3. Rather than criticizing the move, Douse expressed support, describing the removal of day one Game Pass access for Call of Duty as “a good thing creatively.” His remarks suggest industry figures view the restructuring as potentially beneficial for game development and the creative landscape more broadly, possibly because it reduces pressure on developers to meet Game Pass’s immediate availability requirements and encourages alternative monetisation approaches.
The changes reflect Xbox’s effort to balance affordability with sustainability, addressing player concerns about subscription costs while adjusting its content acquisition strategy. This shift may signal broader changes in how major platform holders and publishers approach service offerings.