According to KitGuru.net, Microsoft has announced the first wave of November Xbox Game Pass titles with Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 as the clear headliner. The game launches day-one on Game Pass in November, but console players specifically need a Game Pass Ultimate membership for immediate access. PC Game Pass subscribers get Black Ops 7 included in their regular subscription despite recent tier changes. Other confirmed titles include Sniper Elite: Resistance joining before the Call of Duty release. Microsoft will announce another Game Pass wave in two weeks, timed just after the Black Ops 7 launch weekend, suggesting more November content is coming.
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The Ultimate tier shuffle
Here’s where things get interesting. Microsoft is creating a clear distinction between console and PC Game Pass tiers for the first time with a major Call of Duty release. Console players need that premium Ultimate subscription for day-one access, while PC players get it with their standard plan. This feels like Microsoft testing the waters for how much they can segment their subscription tiers without causing backlash. Basically, they’re seeing if console players will pay up for the pricier tier when the biggest games hit.
What this tells us about Game Pass
Look, this move reveals Microsoft’s evolving strategy with Game Pass. They’re no longer just throwing everything at the standard subscription. With Activision’s massive catalog now under their belt, they’re starting to leverage those premium titles to drive upgrades to higher tiers. It’s smart business, but it does make you wonder – how many more big games will get this treatment? Will we see other Activision titles like Diablo or Overwatch follow this pattern? The days of every major Xbox Studios title hitting basic Game Pass might be numbered.
Is Ultimate worth it now?
So here’s the thing – if you’re a console player who wants day-one access to Call of Duty, the math just changed dramatically. Game Pass Ultimate costs more, but when you consider that Black Ops 7 would normally retail for $70, the value proposition shifts. Microsoft is essentially using their biggest franchise to push people toward their most profitable subscription tier. It’s a classic upsell move, but one that could actually make financial sense for dedicated Call of Duty fans. The question is whether this becomes the new normal for all major releases.
