Microsoft's own storefront says it plainly: not available with Game Pass at launch. This is the first Call of Duty under the new policy, and the wait is about a year.
No. Microsoft’s own product page for the game carries the line “Modern Warfare 4 not available with Game Pass at Launch”, and its FAQ states the game is not eligible for Xbox Game Pass. That is the publisher telling you directly on the page where you would buy it.
This surprises people because Microsoft now owns Activision, and the previous two Call of Duty titles did land on Game Pass on release day. Modern Warfare 4 is where that changed.
Microsoft announced in April 2026 that starting with this game, new Call of Duty releases join Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass roughly a year after launch rather than on day one.
Xbox has notified subscribers that Game Pass availability starts Holiday 2027. We should be precise about where that comes from: it is a quote from an in-app notification Xbox sent to members, reported by the press, rather than a press release with a committed date. Treat it as the current expectation, not a promise.
There is a discount rather than access. Activision runs a Vault Loyalty Discount of 10% off at recommended retail price, applying to pre-orders and pre-purchases only, and it runs until 23 October. Active Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and PC subscribers who played a qualifying Call of Duty are eligible for it, as are existing Call of Duty owners.
On the Vault Edition that takes $99.99 down to $89.99. Full edition and price breakdown.
Worth knowing before you decide: the campaign unlocks on 16 October for digital pre-orders, a full week before multiplayer, and a campaign does not need a subscription of any kind to play. Online modes are the part that requires one, and on Xbox that is Game Pass Essential rather than Ultimate.
So the subscription question splits in two. Game Pass Ultimate would have given you the game itself, and does not. Game Pass Essential is the cheap tier that gates online multiplayer, and you need it.
Independent reporting. We are not affiliated with Activision, Infinity Ward or Microsoft. Specifications and prices change — verify before purchase.
No. Microsoft's own storefront states the game is not available with Game Pass at launch and that it is not eligible for Xbox Game Pass.
Xbox has told subscribers that availability starts Holiday 2027, roughly a year after release. That figure comes from an in-app notification reported by the press rather than from a press release, so treat it as the expectation rather than a committed date.
Microsoft announced in April 2026 that beginning with this title, new Call of Duty games join Game Pass about a year after launch instead of on release day.
A 10% discount at recommended retail price on the Vault Edition, for pre-orders and pre-purchases only, running until 23 October. That brings the Vault Edition to $89.99.
Yes, and that is separate. Online modes require Game Pass Essential on Xbox, PlayStation Plus on PS5, or Nintendo Switch Online. The campaign does not need one.