Xbox Game Pass Faces Big Shake-Up Rumors as Call of Duty Sparks Pricing Debate

Over the past 24 hours, you’ve probably seen a wave of Xbox rumors spreading fast online, and most of them trace back to Jez Corden. The biggest talking point centers on Xbox Game Pass and whether Call of Duty will continue to be part of the service in the way you’ve been used to. One of the key claims floating around is that Microsoft might not launch this year’s Call of Duty on Game Pass at all. There’s also a more dramatic version of the rumor suggesting the game could be removed entirely from the service this year. It’s not confirmed, but it’s being treated as a real possibility based on what’s been said.

According to the discussion, this move could highlight weaknesses in Xbox’s current Game Pass strategy. The idea is that Call of Duty is expensive to include, and pulling it out might reveal how much pressure the subscription model is actually under when it comes to big-budget releases.

Jez Corden also ran a poll asking whether you would accept removing Call of Duty and Fortnite Crew from Game Pass Ultimate if it meant lowering the subscription price. The result reportedly leaned heavily in favor of that idea, with 74.3% voting yes. That response has fueled even more debate around whether you actually need Call of Duty inside Game Pass in the first place. 

There’s a strong argument being made that you don’t, especially since Warzone is already free-to-play and the franchise still offers plenty of content outside the subscription.

From that perspective, you’re still getting access to the core Call of Duty ecosystem without needing the full annual release included in Game Pass. Some even suggest a delay model, where Call of Duty could arrive in the service later, maybe a year after launch, instead of day one.

The pricing conversation quickly follows from there. If Call of Duty pushes Game Pass Ultimate to around the $30 mark, you’re looking at a tier that not everyone feels comfortable paying for. That’s where the idea of restructuring starts coming in. One suggestion being discussed is splitting Game Pass into multiple tiers. In that setup, a higher “super tier” could include major live-service games like Call of Duty, while lower tiers keep the price more manageable and focus on a broader library.

Another version of this idea goes even further. 

You’d have a $20 tier without Call of Duty, a premium $30 tier that includes it along with extras like Fortnite-related content, and even a lower $10 tier focused on older games or delayed releases. That structure would give you more flexibility depending on how you actually use the service.

There’s also talk about expanding subscriptions beyond just Xbox games. Things like WoW or Diablo-related services could be bundled in, making the higher tiers more attractive if you’re already invested in Blizzard ecosystems. Not everyone is against change either. Some players, including voices shared in the discussion, have said they’d be fine with Call of Duty being removed if it helps bring the price of Game Pass Ultimate back down. 

The argument is simple: don’t price people out; price them back in.

There’s even personal sentiment in the mix, where you see users saying they’ve already canceled Game Pass after recent price increases. For them, the value dropped once the cost went up and certain reward system changes were removed or adjusted. It’s led to frustration that still lingers in parts of the community.

At the same time, there’s a broader point being made that Game Pass still works well when it focuses on everything else. Titles like Forza Horizon, Fable, and other first-party Xbox games are seen as strong enough to carry the service even without Call of Duty as a day-one staple.

You also see suggestions that if Xbox is going to restructure things, it should rethink how tiers are presented entirely. Even the current pricing graphics have been criticized for being confusing, with some arguing the layout makes the differences between plans harder to understand than they should be.

On the financial side, Bloomberg reporting has added more weight to the discussion. Microsoft is said to have given up around $300 million in Call of Duty sales by placing the game on Game Pass. That raises a bigger question: whether the service actually gained enough subscribers to balance that loss. And that’s where skepticism shows up again. There’s a growing belief among some that people aren’t actually subscribing to Game Pass just for Call of Duty. 

Instead, it’s seen more as a bonus rather than the main reason to join.

Beyond the subscription debate, there are a few other Xbox rumors in circulation. Jez Corden has teased that Xbox may be preparing a smaller showcase next week. It’s expected to be something fans might want to keep an eye on, possibly tied to ID@Xbox, as also suggested by Tom Warren.

At the same time, there’s another development involving Blizzard Entertainment. Drew Murray, formerly of The Initiative and known for work on Sunset Overdrive, has reportedly joined Blizzard as an associate director. The expectation is that he may be working on a new StarCraft shooter project.

Meanwhile, Jeff Grubb has mentioned hearing that Fable has been internally pushed. It still seems to be targeting a release within the current window, but there are concerns about timing, especially with GTA 6 looming in the background and potentially affecting release plans.

If Fable slips past that window, there’s speculation it could end up delayed further, possibly even into 2027. 

That creates a tricky situation for Xbox, especially when timing matters so much around major global releases. You also see discussions about how Xbox might handle its lineup this year. Games like Gears of War, Fable, and Forza Horizon 6 are expected to be key releases. Among them, Forza Horizon 6 in particular is getting strong early attention, with preview impressions described as very positive and generating a lot of excitement heading into its May showcase.

Release timing strategy becomes a big part of the conversation too. The idea being floated is that Xbox should aim to launch its biggest titles before Call of Duty hits in November. Historically, Call of Duty tends to land in late October or early November, which creates a crowded release window.

The suggestion is that Xbox should avoid December entirely, especially with GTA 6 expected to dominate attention. Instead, games like Fable could land in September or October, while Gears of War and other titles are positioned earlier or later to avoid overlap.

By the end of it all, the picture you’re left with is a busy and uncertain period for Xbox. Between Game Pass pricing debates, Call of Duty strategy shifts, and a packed release calendar, Microsoft looks like it may be heading toward some major adjustments in how it structures both its subscription service and its game launches going forward.