2025 has been an incredible year forXbox Game Pass, with day-one releases of many GOTY contenders, includingBlue Prince,Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, andDOOM: The Dark Ages. However, it’s still missing the X factor:Call of Duty. This FPS staple is an over 30 billion dollar franchise, yet Microsoft has failed to capitalize on the series with its flagship gaming subscription service. TheCODfanbase is huge, and it’s evenSteven Spielberg’s favorite gaming series, so it’s puzzling why Microsoft hasn’t utilizedCODto its fullest.
Releasing more classicCODson Game Pass seems to be taking a ridiculously long time despite numerous hints. It’s vital for these classic titles to drop on the service, as it’llbring new life to these games that desperately need it. With the Xbox Games Showcase coming June 8, hopefully, Microsoft will finally give the fans what they want and release these all-time greatCODtitles on Game Pass.
Call Of Duty’s First Game Pass Red Flag
A Disappointing Showcase That Must Be Rectified
Around a year ago, there was the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase, followed by theCall of Duty: Black Ops 6Direct. This event garnered widespread praise, and it seemed like I was one ofthe rare few who were disappointed.Black Ops 6looked amazing, and it was coming to Game Pass on day one. However, I was waiting for a Game Pass announcement of priorCODgames. TheBlack Ops 6Direct heavily focused on the story, and I thought they would release the originalBlack Opstrilogy on Game Pass so that beginners could catch up.
That didn’t happen, and in fact, Microsoft didn’t even reveal thatModern Warfare 3 2023would come to Game Pass. That eventually got announced and released a month later, in July. While this minor delay may not sound like a big deal, showcases like this are wherethe most eyes will be on the product. Not having the big announcement ofMW3coming to Game Pass during the showcase was arguably a big mistake, and this event was the first significant red flag for theCODcommunity.
Black Ops 6had the biggest launch month inCODhistory, and Game Pass undoubtedly played a big part.
I’m among many who were excited in 2024 to play classicCall of Dutytitles on Game Pass, likeModern Warfare 2 2009orBlack Ops 2,only to end up disappointed. Even achievement guide channels pre-madeBlack Ops 2guides in 2024 to release when the game arrived on Game Pass, but that still hasn’t happened. That’s how you know Microsoft dropped the ball: when content creators are so confident that they pre-make achievement guides, only for the game not to be released on the service.
Black Ops 6 Did Great, But That’s Not Enough
A 2% Increase Says It All
While Game Pass only offeredMW3to hold people over,Black Ops 6came out in October and was a massive success, earning a spot as one of thebest FPS games of the year.Black Ops 6had the biggest launch month inCODhistory, and Game Pass undoubtedly played a big part in that accomplishment.Black Ops 6available on both console and PC through Xbox Game Pass, andthe PC subscription experienced exponential growth in the Fall 2024 Microsoft financial quarter, increasingby 30%, as shared in an investors call and reported byIGN.
However, it’s clear thatBlack Ops 6wasn’t as successful as Game Pass needed it to be. That same Fall 2024 financial quarter reported thatXbox content and services revenue increased by only 2%year-over-year. Xbox services include Game Pass, and a 2% increase is a relatively underwhelming statistic in light ofBlack Ops 6and other major titles contributing to the service. AsBlack Ops 6went on, I grew tired of the game, and its struggle to carry the torch for the entireCODfranchise is unnecessary.
Bringing back a classicCall of Dutyonto Game Pass would be a great way to get me back into the series, and in April 2025, Microsoft finally announced an olderCODto the service. However,it was the wrong one. We didn’t get the original2009 Modern Warfare 2, but the2022 Modern Warfare 2, which is one of the worst games in the series, if not the worst.Call of Dutycontinues to be the most disappointing and worst aspect of Game Pass, but hopefully,there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.
Xbox Games Showcase Is The Perfect Opportunity For COD
It’s Time For Xbox To Deliver
The annual June gaming showcase festivities are kicking off in about a week, with events like Summer Game Fest, the always lovable Devolver Direct, and, of course, the Xbox Games Showcase. Following the Xbox Showcase, there will be a Direct, not for the nextCall of Duty, but forThe Outer Worlds 2. It seems unlikely the2025 Call of Dutywill be announced that weekend, which makes the Showcase the perfect opportunity for Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, Xbox president Sarah Bond, or someone elseto finally announce some classicCODson Game Pass.
Xbox fans have been waiting for the entireCall of Dutycatalog to be released on the service, and it’s time for a payoff. Many of the classicCODs, minus a select few likeBlack Ops 2, have somewhat barren matchmaking on Xbox, with my personal favorite,Call of Duty: Black Ops 3,taking upwards of five minutes to get into a match. That’s just too long, and the influx of players from adding these titles to Game Pass would significantly improve the multiplayer experience. Getting a group together for those tough Zombies achievements would also be much easier.
There have already been signs that classicCall of Dutytitles might be nextto arrive on Game Pass. All of them were recently added for purchase on the Windows PC store, meaning they’ll likely be available on Game Pass for both Xbox and PC. The Windows PC versions ofWorld at WarandInfinite Warfarehad the “Included with Game Pass” label on the Windows Store search page at one point. It’s seemingly only a matter of time until moreCall of Dutyarrives on Game Pass, and the 2025 Xbox Games Showcase would be the perfect moment.
