Xbox Game Pass Subscribers Surge After Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Release
Microsoft has seen a surge in new subscribers to Xbox Game Pass following the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. The game's record-breaking launch and availability on the service have driven this growth, despite some players expressing concerns about the increased cost of Xbox Game Pass.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, released in October 2024, had an unprecedented number of active players at launch. Its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass contributed significantly to this success. However, this integration has led to a decrease in revenue from console and PC sales for Activision, earning approximately $300 million less in 2024 compared to 2023.
Microsoft has increased the price of Xbox Game Pass to at least €14.99 per month starting October 1, 2025, which has sparked some players to consider alternatives like PS Plus. Despite the record increase driven by Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the average growth of Xbox Game Pass subscriptions has been significantly lower since 2020.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is set to join Xbox Game Pass on November 14, 2025, and its financial performance is expected to be influenced by its marketing and gameplay features, similar to previous titles in the series. The impact of including such high-profile games in Game Pass on Microsoft's earnings remains to be seen, with the company having previously reported losses of over $300 million from the strategy.
