Rumor: Xbox Game Pass May Have Bad News for Call of Duty Fans

New rumors suggest that Microsoft could be planning a change to Xbox Game Pass that might upset Call of Duty fans. Xbox Game Pass is seen as one of the gaming world’s most solid deals, as it offers a vast library of games for a monthly fee. Itgained even more momentum following Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition, as Call of Duty games began appearing in the Xbox Game Pass catalog, including newer entries launching day one on the service.

While players welcomed these releases, Microsoft reportedly didn’t manage to make the profits it had hoped for. Back in October 2025, reports claimed that Xbox lost more than $300 million in console and PC sales for the game as players chose to play Call of Duty through Xbox Game Pass rather than purchase it outright. At the time, this was believed to be a major reason why Microsoft decided to raise the prices for the subscription service across all tiers. Now, it seems like the company might have more plans for the Call of Duty franchise on Xbox Game Pass, which could leave fans unhappy.

History of Xbox Game Pass Price Hikes Explained

To the chagrin of subscribers, Xbox Game Pass is increasing its cost once again, and it’s far from the first time the service has seen a price hike.

Xbox Game Pass Might Have a Disappointing Change for Call of Duty Fans

In a post on Twitter, CODWarfareForum stated that they’ve heard rumors suggesting that Microsoft may soon remove Call of Duty as a day-one launch on the Xbox Game Pass service. This is reportedly due to new restructuring plans following the recent Xbox leadership changes. The change also stems from the massive financial losses that the franchise has faced since Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard. They add that these may not be the only changes underway, and Xbox could be planning other things behind the scenes.

Xbox is also said to be working on broader plans for the Call of Duty franchise after the recent shakeups. Reports have suggested that the delayed launch of the next-gen Xbox console has also hurt Call of Duty‘s marketing plans, which were tied to the system’s reported 2026 release window. Various insiders have claimed that the next game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, was meant to launch alongside the new Xbox console, but this may no longer be happening. The Call of Duty franchise is clearly very important to Microsoft, as it’s one of the most profitable ones in the gaming world. The company is trying to align its Xbox Game Pass and console strategy to get the most out of it.

call of duty warzone black ops cold war (3) — Image via Activision

However, if Microsoft decides to drop Call of Duty as a day-one release from Xbox Game Pass, it could disappoint many fans. Not only would it frustrate players who are subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate just to play a new Call of Duty game when it launches, but it would likely weaken the overall value of the subscription service as well. Back in October 2025, Microsoft decided to increase the price of the Xbox Game Pass, which upset many in the community since they felt that the service was no longer worth the cost. If the price remains the same, and one of the biggest perks, day one Call of Duty access, is removed, it could push away fans from the service even more.

However, it’s crucial to take these rumors with a grain of salt. Microsoft still has not officially confirmed anything about removing Call of Duty as a day-one launch on Xbox Game Pass. Still, there could be some substance to the speculation, as reports also claim that Microsoft is planning to bundle subscription-based games like World of Warcraft into Xbox Game Pass. Some players believe it could be an attempt to maintain the value of the service if Call of Duty is eventually removed. Only time will tell what Microsoft has planned for the future of Xbox Game Pass and the Call of Duty franchise.