Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will not be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch this year, with marketing materials now explicitly stating the game's delayed entry into the subscription service. This move signifies a shift from Microsoft's previous pledge to include all new Call of Duty titles on Game Pass from day one.
Previously, Xbox included Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on Game Pass in July 2024, nearly nine months after its initial release. Following this, Black Ops 6 joined Game Pass at launch, and its successor, Black Ops 7, is expected to follow a similar pattern in the subsequent year. However, a change in policy announced in April means future Call of Duty releases will instead join the service approximately a year after their debut. This announcement coincided with a price reduction for the Game Pass Ultimate tier, which dropped from $29.99 to $22.99.
The explicit messaging in Modern Warfare 4's advertising is aimed at informing players who may not closely follow industry news and might anticipate immediate access through Game Pass. The game is scheduled for release on October 23.
Modern Warfare 4 is set to explore a conflict between North and South Korea, marking the series' first venture into Korea. Details regarding the game's multiplayer offerings have also been revealed, alongside the return of the DMZ extraction mode, which is positioned as a significant contender in the extraction shooter genre.