Black Ops 6 has been breaking records left and right since its launch, setting new benchmarks for both day-one players and Game Pass subscriptions. As the first Call of Duty title to debut on Microsoft’s subscription service following the historic Activision-Blizzard acquisition, all eyes were on how this new distribution model would impact the franchise’s success.
Now, just two weeks after launch, the game’s Associate Creative Director has shared some fascinating insights about player engagement that could have far-reaching implications for the future of the series. His observations about returning players and accessibility might just explain why we’ll be seeing more Call of Duty titles on Game Pass in the years to come.
The Game Pass Effect on Black Ops 6
In a recent interview with BBC, Miles Leslie from Treyarch revealed an interesting trend that’s emerged since the game’s launch on Game Pass:
What we’ve seen is it’s allowed people that might have been on the fence, might have had some of that friction, might have been like, ‘I haven’t played in a while’ to actually come back and try the game.
This phenomenon of returning players isn’t just a happy accident. The game’s impressive 60% increase in sales on PlayStation and Steam compared to 2023’s release—according to Microsoft‘s latest earnings call—suggests that the Game Pass availability might be creating a ripple effect across all platforms, potentially indicating that the subscription service is acting as a discovery tool rather than a replacement for traditional purchases.
Leslie further emphasized the importance of accessibility in today’s gaming landscape:
We’ve gotten to the point now where Black Ops and Call of Duty have been around so long… And really the challenge for us is how do you bring along the fans that love Call of Duty, but how do you create an environment where you can welcome new fans in?
This balance between catering to veterans and welcoming newcomers has been a crucial factor in the game’s success. The Game Pass launch seems to have struck that perfect chord, providing an easy entry point for new players while maintaining the core experience that longtime fans have come to expect.
A New Chapter for the Franchise?
The success of this new distribution strategy hasn’t gone unnoticed by Microsoft, either. CEO Satya Nadella has already confirmed that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 set a record for new Game Pass subscribers on launch day, though specific numbers remain under wraps.
But perhaps more telling is Leslie’s insight into how they’re monitoring player engagement:
The key is, are they having fun? Where are the friction points? And that’s what we’re analysing. You never know until it’s in the hands of millions of players how it’s going to be received.
This focus on reducing barriers to entry while maintaining the core Call of Duty experience suggests that the Game Pass model isn’t just a temporary experiment—it’s likely the blueprint for the franchise’s future.
The inclusion of nostalgic elements such as the revamped round-based Zombies mode, the updated Nuketown map, and the return of the classic Prestige system (among many others) demonstrate that Treyarch understands the delicate balance of innovation and tradition required to keep both new and returning players engaged.
What do you think about Call of Duty‘s future on Game Pass? Has the subscription service influenced your decision to try Black Ops 6? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
