UPDATE 10/4: Following the publication of this article, a Microsoft spokesperson has clarified that the discount removal is not tied to one singular title. Their full statement can be found below.
"This is not specific to any one game and reflects all games and DLC purchases. Instead of a discount on the purchases, Ultimate and Premium subscribers will earn 10% and 5% - respectively - in points when purchasing select games and add-ons from the Game Pass library. Ultimate members continue to have 20% discount on select games from the Game Pass library. On top of that, all Rewards members will earn points when shopping games and add-ons on the Store, while Premium and Ultimate subscribers will earn even more, 2x and 4x respectively. See more detail on the Game Pass Rewards program here."
The original story follows.
Microsoft has seemingly removed a popular perk from Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, as subscribers reportedly no longer have access to the 10% discount on Call of Duty add-ons such as COD Points or the BlackCell Battle Pass. Call of Duty has become one of the most popular franchises to hit Xbox Game Pass Ultimate since Microsoft's acquisition of Activision-Blizzard, but it looks like fans of the series will no longer be able to make the most out of this one useful perk.
It's been a bad week for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, as the removal of this popular Call of Duty perk is just the latest instance to disappoint fans. On October 1, Microsoft announced a huge price increase for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The subscription service, which was once $19.99 a month, will now set gamers back an additional $10, making the total $29.99. The sudden rise went into effect immediately for new subscribers, but existing subscribers have until November 4. The company did attempt to soften the blow by adding nearly 50 new games to the Ultimate tier, including a ton of Assassin's Creed games, Hogwarts Legacy, numerous Far Cry titles, and much more.
Xbox Game Pass Price Hike Hits Some Regions Harder Than Others
Microsoft's controversial decision to raise the price of certain Xbox Game Pass tiers impacts gamers in some regions far more than in others.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Removes Call of Duty Perk
Alongside new titles, Microsoft also added some new benefits to the service, such as the addition of Fortnite Crew for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Unfortunately, this didn't stop the outrage over the massive price increase, and now it looks like fans have even more to be disappointed about. According to Charlie Intel, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers no longer have access to the 10% discount on Call of Duty add-ons. This perk would allow subscribers to pick up COD Points and the BlackCell Battle Pass for titles such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone, for a discounted price.
Subscribers have been left rather dumbfounded by the decision to remove the perk, especially considering Activision-Blizzard, the publisher of Call of Duty, is now owned by Microsoft. The company acquired the publisher back in 2023 for a record-breaking $69 billion, thus putting every Activision IP, such as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Call of Duty, Diablo, World of Warcraft, Crash Bandicoot, and many more, under the Microsoft umbrella. Since then, numerous entries in the Call of Duty series have gone on to join Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, with the latest set to be Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, which releases on November 14.
Microsoft also recently attempted to justify the price increase of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Dustin Blackwell, the director of gaming and platform communications at Microsoft, recently told The Verge that the company understands the frustration with the price increase. "Price increases are never fun for anybody," he said. Blackwell then attempts to justify the $10 price hike by noting that Microsoft is adding "more value to these plans as well." He finished by stating that the decision isn't being taken lightly and that player feedback is welcome.