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Call of Duty on Xbox Game Pass: Tiers, Pricing, Day-One Access

Last Updated: October 31, 2025

Call of Duty Black Ops 6 logo on Xbox Game Pass

The landscape of console gaming was permanently altered by Microsoft's landmark acquisition of Activision Blizzard. For months, the biggest question on every player's mind was how the colossal Call of Duty franchise would be integrated into Xbox Game Pass.

The answer is now clear: Call of Duty is a cornerstone of the service, but accessing new titles on day one requires a subscription to its premium tiers.

The Modern Game Pass Tiers: Not All Passes Are Created Equal

Microsoft has refined its Game Pass offerings into a multi-tiered system, each designed for a different type of player. Following price adjustments that reflected the service's expanding library, understanding the differences between these tiers is crucial, especially for Call of Duty fans.

  • Game Pass Core: The entry-level tier, replacing the old Xbox Live Gold. It provides online multiplayer access and a curated library of over 25 high-quality console games. Crucially, Game Pass Core does not include day-one access to new releases like Call of Duty.
  • Game Pass for Console: This tier grants access to the full Game Pass console library, which includes hundreds of games and day-one access to all Xbox Game Studios titles. However, it does not include PC games, cloud gaming, or an EA Play membership. Like Core, it will not grant you day-one access to new Call of Duty titles.
  • PC Game Pass: As the name implies, this is the PC equivalent of the console pass. It includes the full PC library, day-one access to Xbox Game Studios titles, and an EA Play membership. This tier does include day-one access to new Call of Duty releases for PC players.
  • Game Pass Ultimate: The all-inclusive, premium offering. Ultimate bundles everything: the full console and PC libraries, online multiplayer, day-one access to all first-party titles (including from Activision Blizzard), an EA Play membership at no extra cost, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. This is the required tier for console players to play new Call of Duty titles on day one.

The Call of Duty Strategy: Driving Value for the Ultimate Tier

Microsoft's strategy for its biggest franchise is now firmly established. New installments, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, launch directly into Game Pass on day one, but only for subscribers of Game Pass Ultimate (on console and cloud) and PC Game Pass (on PC).

This move strategically positions the annual Call of Duty release as the primary driver for players to adopt or upgrade to the most comprehensive—and most expensive—subscription. For players on the lower-cost Core or Console tiers, their options are to either upgrade their subscription plan for the month of release and beyond, or purchase the game separately at its full retail price.

By making the world's most popular shooter a premium perk, Microsoft has cemented the franchise as a key pillar of its high-end value proposition, ensuring its most dedicated players are also its most invested subscribers.

Justifying the Cost: The Full Value of Game Pass Ultimate

While Call of Duty may be the headliner, Microsoft justifies the cost of the Ultimate tier with an extensive suite of benefits designed to create an all-in-one gaming ecosystem.

The most significant addition has been the vast Activision Blizzard back catalog. Iconic franchises from Diablo and Overwatch to Crash Bandicoot and Spyro have steadily populated the Game Pass library, representing a massive expansion of the service's content.

Furthermore, Game Pass Ultimate members receive a host of other perks that enhance its value:

  • EA Play Membership: Access to a vault of top Electronic Arts titles, trials of new games, and member-exclusive discounts.
  • Xbox Cloud Gaming: The ability to stream hundreds of games to consoles, PCs, and mobile devices, allowing you to play on the go without lengthy downloads.
  • Exclusive Perks: Regular drops of in-game content for various titles, DLC discounts, and sometimes even exclusive beta or early access opportunities for upcoming games, such as the pre-order bonuses offered for Black Ops 6.

For Xbox players, the value equation for Game Pass has evolved. The service offers an unparalleled library of games, but unlocking its full potential—headlined by guaranteed day-one access to every new Call of Duty—now comes at a premium.