Microsoft plans to boost its Game Pass subscriptions with the release of 'Black Ops 6' to offset declining Xbox console sales. The latest installment of the successful Call of Duty series will be offered on the Game Pass platform for the first time and represents the biggest test of Microsoft's gaming strategy since the $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which was approved by regulators last year.

In the fiscal year 2024, which ended in June, revenue from the Xbox hardware business declined by 13 percent. At the same time, Microsoft is increasingly focusing on the Game Pass, which aims to reach 110 million subscribers by 2030 — a significant increase from the 34 million in February of this year. The release of 'Black Ops 6' is expected to help support this ambitious goal.

With 'Black Ops 6,' Game Pass subscribers can download the game without the traditional purchase price of over $70, while it remains available on the PlayStation platform. This measure aims to increase the attractiveness of the Game Pass and attract new users by providing high-quality titles for the benefit of subscribers. At the same time, Microsoft increased the monthly fees for the Game Pass in the US by 18 percent, in the UK by 15 percent, and in Europe by 20 percent in July. Additionally, a cheaper standard tier was introduced, offering fewer benefits than the premium "Game Pass Ultimate" offering. Users of the standard tier cannot play 'Black Ops 6' immediately and do not have access to some other games.

The decision to forgo a two-week Game Pass trial period at the launch of 'Black Ops 6' marks another step in Microsoft's strategy to maximize revenue from the subscription service. This decision was made on October 8, similar to the release of the space exploration game Starfield last year.

Analysts like Piers Harding-Rolls from Ampere Analysis see the strategy as a "big bet" and expect that 'Black Ops 6' will directly lead to a further increase of 2 to 2.5 million "Game Pass Ultimate" subscribers. Ampere forecasts around 23 million Ultimate subscribers by the end of 2024. At the same time, some analysts warn of potential risks, especially following criticism from the US Federal Trade Commission, which labeled the Game Pass price adjustments and tier changes as a "product deterioration." Microsoft dismissed this criticism as "misunderstood" and "misleading.

Expectations for 'Black Ops 6' are high, especially after the disappointing feedback on 'Modern Warfare III'. Even before its release, the game has taken the top spot on the PlayStation Store pre-order charts, boosting investor confidence. In NASDAQ trading, Microsoft's stock temporarily rose by 0.12 percent to $425.10.