Microsoft is reportedly considering removing Call of Duty titles from Xbox Game Pass Day One access, a move that would end one of the subscription’s most prominent benefits for the franchise.
The report, published by Eurogamer, suggests the company is evaluating whether flagship Call of Duty releases should continue to land on Game Pass on the same day as retail launch — a commitment Microsoft made publicly when it acquired Activision Blizzard.
What the Eurogamer Report Says
The Core Claim
The report does not cite an official Microsoft announcement or internal document — it is sourced through industry reporting. No specific Call of Duty title or timeline for any change has been confirmed. Microsoft has not responded publicly to the claim as of writing.
Day One access means Game Pass subscribers can play a game at launch without paying separately, the same day retail copies go on sale. For Call of Duty — which typically launches at a standard retail price — Day One access on Game Pass has been one of the subscription’s clearest value propositions since the Activision Blizzard acquisition closed in 2024.
Why Microsoft Might Consider This
Call of Duty is the world’s largest console gaming franchise by annual revenue. Including new entries in a flat subscription fee has a direct financial cost to Activision Blizzard’s direct sales. Microsoft made the Day One commitment partly to reassure regulators concerned about competition during the merger approval process — but those commitments were not legally binding in perpetuity.
If Microsoft shifts future Call of Duty titles to a delayed Game Pass window — say, 30 to 90 days after launch — subscribers who want to play at launch would need to purchase separately.
What This Means for Game Pass Subscribers in SEA
Game Pass has significant penetration in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, where the monthly price is lower than in Western markets. In Malaysia, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is priced at RM24.90 per month. Regional pricing varies by storefront. At that price point, Day One access to a new Call of Duty title — which would retail at roughly RM249 on Xbox — is the single clearest financial argument for maintaining the subscription.
Losing Day One access would not remove Call of Duty from Game Pass entirely. It would delay when subscribers can play without a separate purchase. But for the SEA market, where the subscription’s low price point drives most of its appeal, that change would meaningfully alter the value calculation.
What CoD Subscribers Should Do Right Now
Nothing has been confirmed. Microsoft has not announced any change to the current arrangement. Subscribers in SEA who are currently on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate primarily for Call of Duty access should monitor for official confirmation before making any subscription decisions.
What to Watch For
Microsoft has not denied or confirmed the Eurogamer report. The next Call of Duty title has not had its Game Pass status publicly updated. Any formal announcement would come through official Xbox channels or Activision Blizzard investor communications.
If Day One access does change, it would be a significant recalibration of how Xbox positions Game Pass against PlayStation Plus. Sony’s equivalent service does not offer first-party titles Day One for most PlayStation Studios releases — meaning Microsoft’s Day One access has been a genuine competitive differentiator that the company may now be reconsidering.
Source: Eurogamer — Microsoft reportedly considering changing CoD Day One Game Pass access
