The Long-Awaited Call of Duty on Xbox Game Pass: Get Ready for an Extended Wait!

Highlights

Call of Duty fans hoping for the franchise to land on Xbox Game Pass may need to be patient if Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard goes through.

Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, acknowledged that efforts are required to make Activision Blizzard games accessible on Game Pass. However, the process of incorporating them into the portfolio will not be immediate. Although it is mere speculation, Microsoft may encounter contractual obligations that restrict Call of Duty from appearing on Game Pass. Nevertheless, it is conceivable that older titles within the franchise could potentially be accessible on the platform.

Microsoft's ongoing attempt to acquire Activision Blizzard has been heavily influenced by Call of Duty. However, fans who are eagerly awaiting the inclusion of the world's most popular first-person shooter franchise on Xbox Game Pass may need to exercise a bit of patience. The acquisition of Bethesda allowed Microsoft to swiftly bring popular titles like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Doom to Game Pass. Additionally, they announced highly anticipated games like Starfield as day-one Game Pass releases. Nevertheless, it seems that incorporating Activision Blizzard presents a unique challenge.

Game Pass regularly adds a diverse range of new games to its library. Just recently, they added The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and the intriguing mystery adventure game Firewatch as day-one titles. While Call of Duty enthusiasts may have visions of future titles like the upcoming Modern Warfare 3 launching on Game Pass, Xbox head Phil Spencer advises fans to temper their expectations if the acquisition of Activision Blizzard is successful.

During an interview at Gamescom 2023 with IGN's Destin Lagarie, Spencer acknowledged the need for work and time to bring Activision Blizzard games to Game Pass. He also mentioned Microsoft's proposal to grant Ubisoft the streaming rights for all Activision Blizzard games for the next 15 years, in an effort to address concerns from the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regarding the acquisition.

Although Spencer did not explicitly mention Call of Duty, it is widely known that the franchise holds significant importance in Activision Blizzard's portfolio and plays a central role in the acquisition attempts. Closing the deal may require Microsoft to navigate various obstacles, potentially including an agreement prohibiting the inclusion of Call of Duty on Game Pass. Therefore, it appears that fans of Call of Duty will need to exercise some patience, as the situation is subject to speculation.

Gamers may not expect new installments of the franchise on Game Pass in the near future, but there is potential for classic Call of Duty titles to thrive on the platform, giving gamers the chance to revisit different campaigns and adventures. There is a sense of cautious optimism regarding this matter, as Microsoft is putting in efforts to navigate the situation and satisfy the relevant stakeholders, in order to proceed with its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.