Xbox Game Passlets players play their favorite games on both Xbox consoles and PC. It has a large game library with access to hundreds of games, even including access to new releases on day one. Xbox Game Pass also features online multiplayer,cloud gaming, and a bonus EA Play membership. However, there is an area where Xbox Game pass is missing out: olderCall of Dutygames.

Call of Dutyhas been a successful FPS franchise, with players praising the games for their consistency and gameplay mechanics. Some of the most popularCall of Dutyfeaturesinclude various multiplayer modes, captivating campaigns, and memorable maps. TheBlack Opssubseries is one of the most successfulCall of Dutylines, withBlack Ops 6having just been released this year. However, as popular and highly anticipated asBlack Ops 6is,Xbox Game Pass is missing out on capitalizing on the nostalgia of long-time fansby including classicCall of Dutytitles to revisit.

Hannya from Ghostwire: Tokyo next to Master Chief from Halo and Joseph Seed from Far Cry 5 with the Xbox logo behind them.

Xbox Game Pass Needs Older Call Of Duty Games

There Are Plenty Of Classic Call Of Duty Games To Consider

Currently,Xbox Game Pass has twoCall of Dutygames:Modern Warfare 3andBlack Ops 6. While these twoCall of Dutygames have been highly acclaimed, they aren’t the onlyCODgames that could add a lot of value to the service.Call of Dutywas first released in 2003 and has addedmany games to its collection over the years. In fact,theCall of Dutyfranchise has 23 main titlesand several more spinoffs and DLC experiences.

10 Best FPS Games On Xbox Game Pass Right Now

There are so many incredible first-person shooters on Xbox Game Pass, from iconic Xbox masterpieces to open-world RPGs oozing with atmosphere.

Xbox Game Pass is certainly missing out on failing to add some of thebest-sellingCall of Dutygames. Aside from the rest of theModern WarfareandBlack Opslines, there’s alsoVanguard, Ghosts, Advanced Warfare, and even the originalCall of Dutytrilogy missing from the Game Pass catalog.Call of Dutyhas one of the most dedicated and die-hard fan bases out there, so by keeping olderCall of Dutygames under lock and key, Xbox is missing an opportunity to expand its library and cater to the loyal fanbase.

The Xbox Game Pass logo on a green background.

WhileBlack Ops 6is undoubtedly the current go-toCall of Dutygame, including older titles would provide a well-rounded experience. Adding in olderCall of Dutygameswould honor the franchise’s rich history, allow seasoned players to revisit their favorite games, andgive new players a chance to explore where it all started.

The Xbox Game Pass Schedule Is Complicated

Xbox Prioritizes Its Game Pass Schedule, Resulting In Delays

Despite fans eager to see olderCall of Dutytitles added to the Game Pass library, unfortunately,the Game Pass schedule is unpredictable and complicated. Xbox constantly adds and removes titles. New games are added monthly — often with the latest releases available to play from day one — while older games are rotated out. It can be difficult to keep up with in terms of what’s available and when. Although Xbox Game Pass is available on both console and PC, some titles are still exclusive to one or the other, adding to the already complicated service.

Currently, the most basic level of Xbox Game Pass is $9.99 monthly for console players, while an $11.99 PC subscription offers more features. Those prices go up to $14.99 for the Standard console plan and $19.99 for the Ultimate subscription that covers both platforms.

Call of Duty Black Ops 6 operator wielding weapon near other operators outside of a store surrounded by burning cars.

Adding to that,Xbox also has regional variations due to licensing agreements. Many modern-day games come with downloadable content and expansion packs, many of which come with their own release schedules. This creates even further complications in managing the Game Pass library.

With the convoluted Xbox Game Pass schedule, even some other games have endured the consequences.Avowedis one game that has beendelayed into 2025due to scheduling conflicts with other Game Pass releases, so balancing that timeline is obviously a top priority. This means that theolderCall of Dutygames may not be added to Game Pass until Microsoft feels it is the right time to bolster its stream of releases. Since Microsoft owns both theCall of Dutycatalog and Xbox, it is up to the company to decide when the time is right.

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Call Of Duty Classics Should Be Widely Accessible

Access To Classic COD Could Mean More Subscribers

Even beforeMicrosoft acquired Activision Blizzard,Activision was also reluctant to give players access to theCall of Dutyback catalog. This is likely due to a monetization strategy, since olderCall of Dutygames are still accessible elsewhere, including on Steam. However, now that Microsoft has acquired the rights toCall of Dutyand its backlog,adding them to Game Pass and making them widely accessible would make more sense.

Xbox Game Pass Without Consoles Would Be A Win For Everyone

Xbox Game Pass without consoles would give everyone a way to play games from Microsoft and others without spending a lot of money on a console.

Xbox has a chance to capitalize onCall of Duty’slasting popularity, and all it has to do is add some of the older titles to the Game Pass catalog. Whileit’s unlikely to happen during the focus onBlack Ops 6, especially with Xbox prioritizing its Game Pass schedule, doing so would attract new players, improve its library, and strengthen the connection with fans who have supported the franchise for years. Xbox wouldn’t have to add the entire collection at once. It could simply start by adding fan-favorite classics, likeModern Warfare 2,Black Ops, andWorld at War, which would tap into nostalgia and create buzz among the community.

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