With Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard finalized in October 2023, anticipation was sky-high for the Call of Duty series to be included in the Xbox Game Pass subscription service posthaste. Nevertheless, fans were met with the news that the incorporation of the esteemed franchise might not happen until 2024 or later, as per the Head of Xbox, Phil Spencer’s statement at the time.
However, a recent update to this narrative has arrived. In a new discussion with Game File, Phil Spencer has asserted, “Our intent is the full portfolio of games from ZeniMax, Activision Blizzard, and XGS —Xbox Game Studios —will be on Game Pass, day one.” This confirmation suggests that the addition of Call of Duty games to Xbox Game Pass is still in Microsoft’s plans. While a definitive timeline has not been provided, it’s reasonable to expect that this may take place within the year, considering Spencer’s past comments.
Furthermore, in the interview, Spencer addressed another consumer concern by assuring that Microsoft has no intentions of discontinuing physical game discs. In addition, the significant traction gained by Xbox Cloud Gaming was highlighted, with the service now accounting for over 10% of the total game hours played on Xbox.
There’s more exciting news for Xbox enthusiasts, as revealed in the recent Xbox Official Podcast. Microsoft disclosed that details about the upcoming generation of Xbox will be shared this fall. Moreover, they announced plans to bring four Xbox-exclusive titles to PlayStation and Nintendo platforms.
For gamers and industry watchers alike, these developments underscore Microsoft’s commitment to expanding its gaming services and maintaining robust cross-platform relationships within the gaming community. With the inclusion of Call of Duty in the Xbox Game Pass, the service’s value is poised for a significant surge, promising even more thrilling gaming experiences to subscribers.
