According to a new report, Microsoft will put this year’s new Call of Duty on Game Pass, though there continue to be numerous unanswered questions about all of this.
The Wall Street Journal reported this, though the story had no information about whether or not there may any additional fees, or if the price of Game Pass will go up. The Verge previously reported that Microsoft was thinking about raising the price of Game Pass Ultimate once again.
The site also reported that the new Call of Duty game, which could take place during the Gulf War, is expected to launch in late October. It’s expected to be available for separate purchase across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
Video game analyst Daniel Ahmad said on social media, “This is the right move for Microsoft because it’s a multiplatform title that is being sold for $70 outside of the subscription and because it’s a live service title with in-game purchases.” Ahmad added, “That model can also work for other first-party games.”
This is the right move for Microsoft because it’s a multi-platform title that is being sold for $70 outside of the subscription and because it’s a live service title with in game purchases.
That model can also work for other Xbox first party games. https://t.co/860Xgq1SUf
— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) May 17, 2024
Microsoft paid more than $74.5 billion to acquire Activision Blizzard and the Call of Duty franchise. This was by far Microsoft’s biggest acquisition ever.
Ever since Microsoft’s deal to buy Activision Blizzard was announced in January 2022, many have wondered if new or catalog Call of Duty games would arrive on Game Pass. That still hasn’t happened, though. The Call of Duty franchise is a sales juggernaut, with its games regularly ranking as among the best-selling games of the year. Putting new Call of Duty games on Game Pass could interrupt this in some way, many have theorized, and Microsoft itself was said to be debating what to do.
The new Call of Duty game for 2024 has not yet been announced, but a reveal could happen anytime now, if historical trends follow. 2023’s Modern Warfare III, for example, was announced in August 2023, though many believe this year’s game will be announced sooner. In fact, the mystery event following the Xbox Games Showcase in June could be for the next Call of Duty.
Call of Duty 2024, expected to be Black Ops 6, is reportedly set to launch in late October – presumably October 25, 2024, per multiple reports.
The game is expected to be available for separate purchase on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, along with Day 1 on Game Pass for Xbox & PC pic.twitter.com/u0Ktz4E3W8— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) May 17, 2024
For more, check out GameSpot’s rundown of everything we know about the next Call of Duty. Whatever the game turns out to be, it will join Call of Duty: Warzone, Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, and Call of Duty: Mobile on the market at the same time.