Microsoft is planning to offer the next entry in the Call of Duty series day one on Xbox Game Pass, as per the latest report.
The Wall Street Journal has reported that Microsoft plans a major shakeup of its video game sales strategy by releasing the next entry in the Call of Duty series to Xbox Game Pass at launch instead of Activision’s prior approach of having the popular first-person shooter series only being available for purchase.
As per The Wall Street Journal’s sources, Microsoft is set to announce this shift in strategy at the coming Xbox showcase event next month. It is also mentioned that, prior to the the Microsoft deal last year, Activision was reluctant to fully embrace the subscription-based model for a game that readily sells at a premium price.
Microsoft undoubtedly aims to bring a substantial increase in the Xbox Game Pass subscriber count with this new plan. While this will likely result in less sales, the company is looking to earn more in the long run by increasing the number of Xbox Game Pass subscribers.
During a recent interview with Bloomberg, Xbox president Sara Bond recently doubled down on Microsoft’s commitment to bring all of its titles day one to Xbox Game Pass. She said that the company is aware that its core users enjoy game pass, as it brings a whole portfolio of games. She clarified that players will get every single one of the games the company makes day one on Game Pass.
Digital media and entertainment software analyst Michael Pachter believes that the Call of Duty franchise is a major catalyst in the potential growth of Xbox Game Pass. According to him, PlayStation owners would want to play the first-person shooter series on Microsoft’s premium subscription service in addition to the other games available there. He believes Call of Duty being on Xbox Game Pass along with other Activision titles will push it past 50 million subscribers.
