Following Microsoft‘s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the integration of the publisher’s titles into Game Pass was expected to take some time. While only Diablo IV has been added to the subscription service thus far, Microsoft has now announced another notable addition. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be available on Game Pass on its release day later this year.
Microsoft is betting that the launch of a new Call of Duty title on its subscription service will result in a significant increase in Game Pass membership. This move carries some risk, considering that the latest Call of Duty releases have consistently been the best-selling games in recent years. While direct sales of Black Ops 6 on Xbox and PC may decline, Microsoft will still generate revenue from Game Pass, the PlayStation version, and potentially even a Nintendo Switch release, as well as through microtransactions.
In the meantime, Microsoft has unveiled a live-action trailer for Black Ops 6 featuring depictions of notable figures such as Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, George H. W. Bush, and Saddam Hussein. This lends credibility to rumors suggesting that the game will be set during the Gulf War. More information about Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be revealed during a showcase immediately following a broader Xbox event on June 9.