Microsoft has announced a traditional game launch that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be available immediately on its Game Pass subscription service. This new option allows players to access the new release with a small monthly fee, rather than a hefty upfront fee.
The move marks a turning point for the gaming industry. In the past, Microsoft originally released games like Starfield on Game Pass, but Call of Duty, one of the best-selling games in history. The game represents a huge promise of 425 million units sold.
By adding Call of Duty to Game Pass, Microsoft aims to increase subscriber base. Even if that means potentially reducing direct sales. Game Pass, with 34 million subscribers in February 2024, is the same as Sony PlayStation Plus which had 47 million subscribers in March 2023. Subscribers will now have access to the new Call of Duty free of charge, making it a strategic gamble for Microsoft.
Adding such a special title to a subscription service is an important test of the model’s viability. This can lead to changes such as increased subscriptions or new revenue streams.
Additionally, it’s unclear whether the new Call of Duty will be available for streaming or if it will require a download, due to Microsoft’s agreement with Ubisoft which controls Activision’s rights to its games in the cloud . . . . This deal could also see games appear on rival platforms in the future.