A new report shows that Microsoft’s decision to put Call of Duty on Game Pass has cost it hundreds of millions of dollars.
Earlier this week, Xbox announced a price hike for Game Pass holders, bringing Ultimate up from $19.99 to $29.99. Other subscriptions also saw increased pricing, causing many fans to get furious. Unfortunately, its effects have spread to the closed beta for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, which is not too popular. With Microsoft in the headlines, a new report from Bloomberg may give some insight on the situation, and it’s not pretty.
Microsoft Putting Call of Duty on Game Pass Reportedly Resulted in $300 Million in Lost Revenue
In a report from Bloomberg, the outlet talked to current and former workers at Microsoft about the Activision deal and Game Pass hike. One interviewee, who has remained unnamed, said that last year, in total, Xbox gave up around $300 million in sales of Call of Duty on console and PCs. While reports on Black Ops 6’s sales being positive came out, Bloomberg brings up that IGN discovered that 86% of it was due to PlayStation players buying it. Furthermore, many of the interviewees Bloomberg talked to said how Game Pass is a detriment to Microsoft, costing it more than it should.
The loss of $300 million for Microsoft is a huge hit, especially since it seemed like a good deal. Activision’s multi-billion dollar franchise in Call of Duty likely seemed like the perfect acquisition for Xbox. Unfortunately, as we can see from the massive layoffs and, now Game Pass’ price increase, it’s cost the company more than it’d like. The situation only looks to worsen as many fans have already cancelled their subscriptions and put Xbox behind. Despite an impressive upcoming lineup with Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2, it may take some time before Microsoft gets back up, if ever.
What do you think about the loss from Call of Duty on Game Pass? Are you still going to get Black Ops 7? Let us know in the comments, forums, and the official Insider Gaming Discord!
For more on Microsoft/Xbox, check out our articles on the removal of DLC discounts and comments from the company of the price hike. Make sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter for more Insider Gaming!
On console gamepass is now a hard call.
On PC? Easy. $17 now, and we still get access to the full catalog (and on day one).
No idea why Msoft is taking it so easy on pcgamers, but I’ll keep loving it.
So Game Pass is a failure no matter what Phil and cronies say then. They’re lying. Why aren’t all of them fired? Not just Phil also Aaron Greenberg, Sarah Bond, Matt Booty, and so many others. Bethesda staff as well given their behavior towards political murder.