Microsoft could be rethinking one of its biggest Game Pass plays, and it involves none other than Call of Duty.
According to a new report from Jez Corden via his YouTube channel, Microsoft is considering pulling Call of Duty from its Day One Game Pass lineup as early as this year. This raises questions about the long-term sustainability of the subscription model for blockbuster titles.
The reasoning comes down to money, and scale. Call of Duty is so big that including it in Xbox Game Pass may actually be hurting both sides. On one hand, it attracts subscribers. On the other, it potentially eats into direct game sales, which have traditionally been a huge revenue driver for the franchise.
Corden suggests this balancing act could be exposing “cracks” in Game Pass’ strategy. A title as massive as Call of Duty doesn’t just sit alongside smaller games. Instead, it dominates attention and revenue share. Therefore, it makes it harder for Microsoft to justify the current model long term.
One possible solution? More tiers. Microsoft could reportedly explore a higher-priced “premium” tier that includes major service games like Call of Duty. Meanwhile, the base subscription would remain more affordable. That would mirror how other entertainment platforms segment their biggest content.
Nothing is confirmed yet, and Microsoft hasn’t publicly commented on the report. But if the company does step back from offering Call of Duty Day One, it would mark a significant shift. This is especially true after positioning Game Pass as the go-to place for first-party releases.
It also comes during a period of broader changes for Xbox. These include updates to its Achievements system with new customisation options and profile tweaks.
For now, Call of Duty remains part of the Game Pass conversation, but maybe not for much longer.
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