A recent internal estimate suggests that Microsoft may have sacrificed up to $300 million in potential Call of Duty sales by making Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 available on Game Pass at launch.
What the Report Says
- According to a Bloomberg report, former Microsoft employees claim the Game Pass arrangement “cannibalized” full‑price purchases, cutting deeply into profits.
- The data suggests that 82% of full‑price sales for Black Ops 6 were on PlayStation, which does not support Game Pass, further shifting the burden of losses.
- To offset the deficit, Microsoft would need millions of new Game Pass subscriptions. One estimate: 15 million one‑month Ultimate subscriptions or 1.25 million annual subscriptions.
- Despite the loss, Black Ops 6 marked record engagement for the franchise. Still, the tradeoff between Game Pass reach and classic sales is now under scrutiny.
Why This Matters for Microsoft and the Gaming Industry
- This controversy puts the Game Pass model under spotlight: is giving away day‑one big titles sustainable if it erodes premium sales?
- Microsoft recently raised its Game Pass Ultimate price by 50%. Analysts point to the reported losses as part of why the company needs higher subscription revenue.
- The shift also raises questions about how Xbox and Activision reconcile subscription models with traditional retail.
- Rival consoles like PlayStation might benefit if major titles lose luster on platforms with subscription saturation.
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