Microsoft Reminds Xbox Game Pass Members to Buy Call of Duty: Modern

Microsoft is sending notifications out to Xbox Game Pass members reminding them that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 won’t be in the subscription service this year, so if they want to play the game at launch, they’ll have to buy it.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is set to launch globally on Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 5, PC via Battle.net, Xbox on PC, and Steam, as well as Nintendo Switch 2 on Friday, October 23, 2026. Microsoft has decided to keep the standard edition price at $70 this year, with the Vault Edition priced at $100.

Activision is making significant changes with Modern Warfare 4, including a version for the Nintendo Switch 2, moving away from older consoles, and not offering a day one launch on Game Pass as in previous years.

Microsoft's decision to remove new Call of Duty titles from Game Pass day one releases was part of a strategy shift by new Xbox boss Asha Sharma, aiming to rebuild the brand and appeal to hardcore fans. While this move may disappoint casual subscribers, Microsoft is focusing on maximizing revenue and reaching as many Call of Duty fans as possible at launch.

The exclusion of Call of Duty from Game Pass day one launches contrasts with other first-party Xbox games like Gears of War: E-Day, Clockwork Revolution, and Fable, highlighting the significance of the franchise's sales revenue. This change sparks discussions on the impact of day one Game Pass releases on game sales, with Microsoft's future Game Pass strategy under scrutiny amidst industry shifts and uncertainties.