Rumor: New Call of Duty May Not Launch on Game Pass

Key Takeaways

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Microsoft may potentially withhold Call of Duty 2026 from Game Pass at launch to boost direct sales, signaling a shift in their revenue strategy for the popular franchise.
The current Game Pass strategy, which includes offering new Call of Duty games on the service, is being questioned due to lower-than-expected sales and controversial price increases.
Microsoft Gaming is reportedly considering withholding the 2026 release from Game Pass as a test to assess the franchises true impact on both revenue and the subscription service, but no final decision has been made yet.
The next Call of Duty installment is anticipated to be Modern Warfare 4, with an official announcement expected at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7th.

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Under CEO Asha Sharma, Microsoft is reportedly re-evaluating its video game strategy, including the future of the Call of Duty franchise on Game Pass. Since Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard, the availability of new Call of Duty games on Game Pass has been a major draw for subscribers. However, Windows Central’s Jez Corden suggests this could change as early as 2026. In a recent Xbox Two episode, Corden reported that Microsoft Gaming is in discussions about potentially withholding Call of Duty 2026 from Game Pass at launch to boost direct sales. This topic begins at 17 minutes and 14 seconds into the video. [Disclaimer: This Text Does Not Necessarily Reflect the Opinion of Portal Uai.]

Potential Call of Duty 2026 Exclusion from Game Pass Tests Microsoft’s Revenue Strategy

Corden argues that the current Game Pass strategy may be unsustainable. He links the recent decline in company revenue to lower-than-expected sales of the latest Call of Duty, and he contends that the franchise’s inclusion in Game Pass led to the controversial price increase. Corden’s sources within Microsoft indicate that withholding the 2026 release from Game Pass is being considered as a test to assess the franchise’s true impact on both revenue and the subscription service. However, he stresses that these discussions are preliminary, and no decision has been finalized. Looking ahead, the next Call of Duty installment has yet to be revealed, though speculation points to Modern Warfare 4. The official announcement is anticipated at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7th.

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In other exciting gaming news, Ahmed Hassan has been busy diving into the latest happenings for Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation fans alike. Firstly, in his April 12th post titled “Xbox Game Pass Already Confirms 4 Games for May”, Ahmed gives us a sneak peek at four upcoming direct releases set to arrive next month for Ultimate level subscribers, including the anticipated arcade racing thrills of Forza Horizon 6 and the musical narrative adventure of Mixtape Xbox Game Pass Already Confirms 4 Games for May. Meanwhile, Ahmed also reveals on PlayersForLife that PlayStation is launching ‘Playerbase’, an initiative that puts fans at the heart of their biggest hits by allowing players worldwide to register using their PSN ID and potentially become in-game characters for a limited time. This global project kicks off with Gran Turismo 7, so don’t miss out on your chance to be part of PlayStation history – check out Hassan’s article PlayStation Announces Playerbase, Global Initiative Bringing Fans Inside PlayStation Studios’ Biggest Hits for more details and registration information. But midway through this discussion on industry shifts, it’s crucial to pause and examine a recent bombshell in the gaming world: Carlos Mendoza’s latest piece titled “Bethesda is No Longer Genuine”: Pete Hines’ Devastating Attack on Microsoft’s Leadership at Xbox’. Published on April 11th, this insightful read sees former Bethesda VP Pete Hines pull no punches as he criticizes Microsoft’s management and culture post-acquisition, revealing a powerless environment that couldn’t safeguard its long-time team members. As we navigate turbulent times for Xbox, this is a must-check-out article: Bethesda is No Longer Genuine”: Pete Hines’ Devastating Attack on Microsoft’s Leadership at Xbox.