Microsoft has officially announced that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III will be joining the Xbox Game Pass library starting July 24.
This addition comes as part of a surprise release strategy. Modern Warfare III is the first title from the popular franchise to join Game Pass following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Modern Warfare III will be accessible on both console and PC through Game Pass, allowing subscribers to explore its campaign, use multiplayer, and zombie modes.
This addition to Game Pass comes just ahead of the upcoming release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in October. Industry analysts believe this strategic move by Microsoft will act as a bridge for Call of Duty fans, allowing them to revisit Modern Warfare III while they await Black Ops 6. The decision could also attract new players to the Game Pass subscription service, considering the current strength of the summer games lineup.
Xbox Game Pass Price Controversy
Earlier this month, Microsoft announced price hikes for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, raising the stakes for user retention. By adding high-profile titles like Modern Warfare III, Microsoft aims to offset the impact of these increases and maintain subscriber interest.
However, the announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between Microsoft and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Recent changes to Xbox Game Pass have drawn scrutiny, particularly regarding the introduction of a new tier that limits day-one access to first-party titles.
Despite the excitement surrounding Modern Warfare III’s arrival, we are yet to ascertain whether or not the title will come with Xbox Cloud Gaming support. This potential limitation could be a result of Microsoft’s acquisition agreements with UK regulators, which restrict cloud gaming rights for Activision-Blizzard titles.