Call of Duty
News, coverage and analysis tracking Call of Duty across the outlets.
Xbox lost 'millions' of Game Pass subscribers after last year's massive price hikeXbox experienced a loss of millions of Game Pass subscribers following a significant price increase in October 2025. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma acknowledged the prices were too high, leading to a subsequent reduction. While Call of Duty games will now be delayed in their addition to Game Pass, the price cut has reportedly improved subscriber acquisition and retention.
Xbox Game Lost “Millions” Of Subscribers When It Increased The Price Last fallXbox confirmed that a significant price increase for Xbox Game Pass last fall led to a loss of millions of subscribers. Following the price hike, the service experienced an eight-month decline, but growth has since resumed after subsequent price reductions. The article also mentions the upcoming exclusivity of Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution for Xbox, while Fable and Halo: Campaign Evolved are slated for PlayStation 5.
Xbox Game Pass Lost “Millions” Of Subscribers After Massive Price Hike In 2025Xbox's chief strategy officer Matthew Ball confirmed that Xbox Game Pass lost millions of subscribers following a price increase to $30 per month in 2025. Microsoft later reduced the price of Game Pass Ultimate to $23 per month. The company also noted that stopping new Call of Duty releases on Game Pass resonated with users, and highlighted upcoming console exclusives like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution.
Xbox explains new exclusives policy: players "can expect a reliable pipeline" of exclusive titles in service of "turning around the business"Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball detailed the company's new exclusive titles policy, emphasizing a commitment to a reliable pipeline of games for the Xbox platform. This strategy aims to validate player investments and drive business growth, with exceptions made for certain live service titles like Call of Duty and previously announced commitments, such as Senua's Saga: Hellblade II on PlayStation 5.
Is Xbox Fixable?Xbox's new chief strategy officer, Matthew Ball, discussed the company's approach to exclusives and hardware, including Project Helix. He emphasized a commitment to a reliable pipeline of Xbox-exclusive titles and reassured that Microsoft is not moving away from console manufacturing despite component cost concerns. Ball also addressed a significant subscriber loss for Xbox Game Pass following a price increase.- How to Play the Call of Duty Games in OrderThis guide details how to play the Call of Duty games in chronological order, covering titles that span from World War II settings to futuristic space battles. It helps players experience the series' narrative progression.
Xbox will still release multiplatform games, but expect more full exclusives like Gears of War: E-DayXbox executives have clarified their exclusivity strategy, stating that while titles like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be Xbox console exclusives, this is not a universal rule. Live service and multiplayer-first games, along with titles already announced for PlayStation 5, will remain multiplatform. Other games will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
XBOX Games Showcase 2026 main highlightsThe XBOX Games Showcase 2026, part of Summer Game Fest, revealed several upcoming titles for PC, including Clockwork Revolution, DOOM: The Dark Ages, Fable, Gears of War: E-Day, and Persona 6. The showcase highlighted trailers and release windows for various games, with a focus on titles compatible with Linux via Proton.
Xbox's big pitch for the future sure involves a lot of going backwardsXbox's recent showcase emphasized a return to familiar franchises and a focus on exclusivity, aiming to recapture a sense of nostalgia and differentiate itself from competitors like PlayStation. However, the article questions the long-term viability of this strategy given ongoing controversies and the evolving landscape of game development and distribution.
Void/Breaker returns with another huge update that makes you an even more efficient killing machineThe roguelite game Void/Breaker has received a significant update, adding a new zone, enemies, a boss, and customization modules. The update also introduces a sniper rifle and follows a previous content drop in April. The game is available in early access on Steam and has received "Very Positive" reviews.
Everything Announced at Xbox Showcase 2026The Xbox Games Showcase 2026 featured numerous announcements, including Gears of War: E-Day, Fable, Halo: Campaign Evolved, and Persona 6. Several new games and DLCs were revealed, with many slated for 2026 and 2027 releases across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. Microsoft also celebrated Xbox's 25th anniversary with a special edition console.- Call of Duty’s DMZ is ‘a full-featured game’ inside Modern Warfare 4, not just a third modeThe DMZ mode within Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is described as a full-featured game in itself, rather than just a third mode. It includes individual operator progression, storytelling elements, and crafting systems.
- CoD DMZ’s new stealth mechanic makes sneaky pacifist runs a reality, MW4 devs sayDevelopers at Infinity Ward have introduced a new stealth mechanic to Call of Duty's DMZ mode, enabling players to undertake pacifist runs. This feature emphasizes risk versus reward within the game's sandbox environment.
Everything I learned from enduring five hours of Mud in Gothic RemakeThis guide explores the character Mud in Gothic Remake, detailing his role as an annoying NPC and how to manage his presence. The article explains that Mud is a joke character intended to be a pest, offering methods to stop him from following the player, such as telling him to go away or having him get killed. It also notes that if the remake stays true to the original, Mud's presence will be limited to earlier chapters.
Where to find vending machines in Forza Horizon 6This guide details how to quickly find and smash five vending machines in Forza Horizon 6 to complete the Snack Attack Festival Playlist challenge. The best locations are near the 365 convenience store at the Minimino Golf Course or a parking lot in north Tokyo City. Completing the challenge rewards players with Festival Playlist points and the 2023 Lotus Emira.
Xbox “Must Have Exclusive Content,” CEO SaysXbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company needs "must have exclusive content" to be a leading publisher and platform. She acknowledged that Xbox is not currently in a healthy spot financially and outlined the next 100 days as a period for resetting the business and returning to growth. Sharma also discussed the challenges of making affordable products amidst rising console prices and component shortages.
XBOX CEO wants XBOX to become the number one gaming company by 2030Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has set an ambitious goal for Microsoft's gaming division to become the number one gaming and entertainment company by 2030. Sharma emphasized that success will be measured by Xbox's overall industry position, not just profit margins, citing recent acquisitions like Activision Blizzard and ZeniMax Media as evidence of commitment. While acknowledging challenges, she believes continued investment in games, services, and major franchises will solidify Xbox's dominance.
Xbox boss Asha Sharma still can't seem to decide on a stance regarding console exclusivityNewly appointed Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has reiterated that the company's stance on console exclusivity remains undecided, emphasizing the need to balance reaching large audiences as a publisher with the platform requirement for exclusive content. Sharma stated that each title will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and that Xbox's mandate is to become the number one gaming and entertainment company, not necessarily to meet standard software profit margins.
Is Microsoft's $69 billion Activision Blizzard deal paying off? Xbox boss Asha Sharma says it's "hard to say how to think about those decisions"Xbox CEO Asha Sharma expressed uncertainty about whether Microsoft's $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard is paying off, noting the deal occurred before the rise of AI and during a different strategic period for Xbox. While acknowledging the immense value of franchises like Call of Duty and Candy Crush, Sharma indicated it's difficult to evaluate the decision retrospectively, suggesting potential buyer's remorse despite continued investment in the acquired assets.
XBOX CEO Wants to Make It the “Number One Gaming and Entertainment Company” by 2030Xbox CEO Asha Sharma aims to make the company the leading gaming and entertainment entity by 2030, emphasizing industry leadership over profit margins. She highlighted significant investments in acquisitions like Activision Blizzard and Zenimax, and ongoing platform development as key to achieving this goal. Sharma also noted the substantial revenue generated by franchises such as Call of Duty, Candy Crush, and World of Warcraft.