Xbox Pulls Call of Duty From Game Pass Launches, Cuts $30 Price After Subscriber Losses
Updated
Updated · Kotaku · Jun 12
Xbox Pulls Call of Duty From Game Pass Launches, Cuts $30 Price After Subscriber Losses
3 articles · Updated · Kotaku · Jun 12
Summary
Asha Sharma told staff Xbox is resetting Game Pass: new Call of Duty titles will no longer arrive on the service at launch, and the subscription price has been reduced from last year’s $30 level.
Millions of subscribers left after Xbox raised Game Pass prices to include day-one access to Black Ops 7, while Sharma said the cheaper plan has already improved customer acquisition and retention.
Call of Duty’s weaker sales helped drive the shift. Microsoft said Xbox software and services each fell 5% in consecutive quarters, and Black Ops 7 missed the U.S. top-10 best-seller list in April.
The pressure is heightened because Microsoft’s $70 billion Activision Blizzard deal had been expected to bolster the wider Xbox business, leaving smaller studios and exclusives vulnerable as management reassesses spending over the next 5 years.
Is the Call of Duty slump a temporary crisis, or has Microsoft's $70 billion gamble on Activision already failed?
With Xbox's 'reset' looming, which fan-favorite game studios will be the next to face the chopping block?
Microsoft Slashes Game Pass Price, Ends Day-One Call of Duty Access: Strategic Pivot and Industry Implications
Overview
In April 2026, Microsoft made a major change by reducing the price of Xbox Game Pass and updating its policy on Call of Duty games. While the lower price makes Game Pass more accessible, new Call of Duty titles are no longer included with a standard subscription at launch. This shift aims to attract new subscribers and balance affordability with changing expectations for game access. The move signals a broader strategic evolution for Game Pass, as Microsoft responds to financial pressures and seeks a more sustainable model for its gaming services.