Since the announcement of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, rumors about the fate of Call of Duty have diversified in ways that were previously unthinkable. The Xbox community began to formulate possible outcomes for what the new installments of this franchise would be, as well as its possible exclusivity with Xbox consoles and its possible arrival on Game Pass. Eventually, a sea of possibilities that remains a mystery today.
Over the past year, which has been the culmination of the conversation through Microsoft’s trials and negotiations with various regulators and companies around the world, we, as viewers, have discovered several things that have enlightened us about the future of Call of Duty. In all this world of information, We finally found out how exclusivity contracts with PlayStation workthe prohibitive clauses they signed and, of course, the old games and their possibility of accessing Game Pass in the future, perhaps not so distant.
Call of Duty on Game Pass, a coup for the industry in 2024
As we know, the latest Call of Duty games won’t come to Xbox Game Pass due to a clause that prevents it. This was revealed in documents presented during the trial with the European regulator FTC. Reports which, in addition to indicating how companies work to publish their games, clarify Microsoft’s position on the use of this content. And it’s no wonder, well A multi-million purchase must generate income or opportunity for the person buying, so at some point they will be part of an Xbox strategy.
According to a statement released by Activision Blizzard prior to final approval of the purchase, games like Diablo IV and Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 are not intended to reach Game Pass, but that does not rule out other versions of the studio. But there are games that will do it in 2024.
It’s amazing to see the anticipation surrounding the build to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. As we continue to work toward regulatory approval of the agreement with Microsoft, We are receiving questions about whether our upcoming and recently released games will be available through Game Pass..
Yes OK We have no plans to include Modern Warfare III or Diablo IV in Game Pass this yearOnce the deal is finalized, we hope to begin working with Xbox to bring our titles to more gamers around the world. And we predict that We would start adding games to Game Pass next year (2024).
Xbox’s plan to make a difference
From what all players expect, it is understood that Old Call of Duty will come to the service at some point as a coup in a year where big things are expected for the Xbox brand. But even if the acquisition has already been made official, We haven’t seen a big change from what we received as consumers.
Part of the coup is making sure Call of Duty gets special treatment on the Xbox service, something that is not available among competitors. The industry’s largest shooter franchise has one owner, which can determine the sales course and purchasing decision of many users. It seems that with the right timing, they want to make a surprising launch at the right time, and the perfect month is February.
Last year, the number of games released each month was impressive. A non-stop year, where every month we had something not to be missed. But this year it’s different, the pace is a little slower and the spaces between big releases are more pronounced, so the “dead months” will be felt. In this way, and looking at the panorama of the month of February, it is the ideal time for the old Call of Duty to access Xbox Game Pass.
How long will we have to wait?
Now that there aren’t many expectations for big cross-platform releases, and understanding that Game Pass could trigger a major drought, it’s time for Call of Duty to come to the service. This may seem random and “non-strategic”, but it also becomes a worrying expectation.
Although each company decides its timing, when a video game announces its release and then is delayed, it affects its reputation. Now the Activision Blizzard acquisition is something we’ve been waiting for for a long time, and the fact that nothing is coming to fruition is starting to affect the media boom of what was a giant purchase.
So, and after everything that has been mentioned, it seems obvious that this remains to be defined. After Activision’s first financial results within Microsoft, it seems that the mood is positive and the balance sheet may indicate that they are now willing to take risks and try new things. In this way, yes, February can be the month to receive all the old Call of Duty in Game Pass.
