In a significant shift for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, the service will start featuring older titles from the Call of Duty franchise, with plans to add them beginning in 2026. Asha Sharma, the new head of Xbox, announced these changes as part of her first major communication since taking over from Phil Spencer. The news comes at a time when Xbox is also implementing a price reduction for its Game Pass services, creating a mixed bag of responses among gamers.
As first reported by PC Gamer, a notable aspect of the new strategy involves delaying the release of new Call of Duty games on Game Pass. While subscribers previously enjoyed immediate access to the franchise’s latest titles, these will now be available a year after their launch. This change reflects Activision’s intent to reevaluate its distribution strategy, particularly as the company adjusts to the financial implications of making its flagship franchise more accessible.
Reports indicate that the wider availability of Call of Duty on Game Pass negatively impacted the profitability of recent releases, including Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7. This move has generated a variety of reactions among fans, with some expressing disappointment while others voiced a desire for a more comprehensive library of older titles. A fan on social media even suggested releasing all legacy Call of Duty games on Game Pass today.
Current offerings on the service are limited, including only the most recent entries, with the oldest being Call of Duty: WW2 from 2017. The addition of classic titles like Modern Warfare 2 and the original Black Ops could be a major attraction, especially since many of these games fetch prices of $30 to $60 on various platforms, with some never making the jump to PC.
Potential classics that could enhance the Game Pass library include:
- Call of Duty (2003)
- Call of Duty 2 (2005)
- Call of Duty 2: Big Red One (2005)
- Call of Duty 3 (2006)
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
- Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)
Sharma’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment for Xbox, which has faced considerable challenges over the past year. The decision to alter the availability of Call of Duty titles reflects a broader shift in strategy, as the company looks to balance profitability with subscriber satisfaction.
The potential addition of legacy Call of Duty titles to Game Pass not only enhances the service’s value but also positions Xbox to attract a new generation of players eager to experience these foundational entries in the franchise. As Xbox continues to evolve under Sharma’s leadership, the gaming landscape remains dynamic, with subscribers eagerly anticipating the full implications of these strategic changes.
Image credit: PC Gamer
This article was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.
