Microsoft is weighing the removal of Call of Duty titles from day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass. Windows Central journalist Jez Corden stated that Xbox executives see cracks in the current strategy due to the blockbuster franchise's impact on subscription revenue. The potential change comes amid recent price hikes for the service.
Jez Corden of Windows Central revealed in a recent video that Xbox is contemplating pulling Call of Duty from Game Pass this year. He attributed the consideration to financial pressures, noting that the franchise disrupts both Game Pass sustainability and its own sales model. Corden explained that including such a major title draws significant revenue away from ongoing content acquisition while offering players a cheaper alternative to outright purchases hurts direct sales of the game itself. He said, 'Game Pass has disrupted Call of Duty's business model in a pretty negative way.' Corden speculated on possible solutions like introducing premium tiers for big releases, though he emphasized uncertainty. 'If they take Call of Duty out of Game Pass this year, which is a possibility from what I've heard, I think it'll kind of reveal some of the cracks in the strategy,' he added. Microsoft recently raised Game Pass prices, with Corden linking it partly to Call of Duty's dominance. He observed that overall revenue dipped because Call of Duty sales declined, as the game remains non-exclusive.
