Xbox confirms Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 will not be on Game Pass

Microsoft’s Xbox division is advertising that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, releasing on October 23, will not be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch. The promotional material on Facebook, Instagram and Threads prominently displays a “NOT ON XBOX GAME PASS THIS YEAR” notice, marking a reversal from the previous year when the franchise appeared on the subscription service on day one.

The change follows Xbox CEO Asha Sharma’s recent cost‑cutting moves, including lower Game Pass pricing and the removal of new Call of Duty titles from the service. Analysts say the shift aims to protect full‑price sales after a reported $300 million revenue loss on the prior title, Black Ops 6, when many players opted for the subscription instead of buying the game. The decision also appears to have put third‑party Game Pass negotiations on pause, potentially affecting indie developers that relied on the platform for exposure and funding.

Modern Warfare 4 will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2, with standard retail pricing of about $70 and no day‑one subscription option.