Microsoft announced its roster for Wave 2 of Xbox Game Pass in October 2024, much to the delight of many subscribers. The standout title in this update is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, set to release on October 25.
More importantly, this is a major achievement as it makes Vanguard the first game in the Call of Duty franchise that has ever been released on Game Pass on day one. The launch crashes on the shore of Microsoft’s $69 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard, which has brought hits such as Diablo 4 and Modern Warfare 3 to service. Also coming to Game Pass in November are Starcraft: Remastered and the StarCraft 2: Campaign Collection.
Microsoft Reveals New Games for Xbox Game Pass
For Microsoft itself, launching Black Ops 6 right on Game Pass would represent a high-risk gamble. The company is looking to leverage the franchise’s massive popularity in order to bolster subscriber numbers and revenue, especially following a recent Game Pass price increase and restructuring. However, this strategy poses the risk of reducing full-price game sales.
Xbox executives have said that having a game on Game Pass can drive overall sales but some publishers remain skeptical. Well, except perhaps for the fact that Bobby Kotick was formerly a very vocal opponent of putting Call of Duty games in subscription services. By contrast, Sony isn’t putting new exclusives on its subscription service right away.
Over the next few weeks, meanwhile, Game Pass will expand with South Park: The Fractured but Whole (on Cloud, Console, and PC) on 16th October followed by Donut County and MechWarrior 5: Clans on October 17.
The much-anticipated Black Ops 6 will debut on October 25 across Cloud, Console, and PC through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, along with Modern Warfare III and Warzone. The October lineup concludes with Ashen on October 29 and Dead Island 2 on October 31. Looking ahead, StarCraft: Remastered and StarCraft II: Campaign Collection is set to arrive on November 5.
FAQs
When will Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 be available on Xbox Game Pass?
Black Ops 6 will be available on Xbox Game Pass on October 25, 2024.
What other games are included in the October 2024 Wave 2 lineup?
Other titles include South Park: The Fractured but Whole (October 16), Donut County (October 17), MechWarrior 5: Clans (October 17), Ashen (October 29), and Dead Island 2 (October 31).
