Insider: Call of Duty Developers View Game Pass Price Hike as a Positive Development

The recent increase in the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has sparked a significant backlash among gamers, yet not everyone views this as an issue. According to insider GhostofHope, certain developers of Call of Duty have interpreted Microsoft’s decision as a positive development—particularly for studios whose games launch directly into the subscription.

In July, the cost of Game Pass Ultimate rose from $19.99 to $29.99 per month, prompting many users to downgrade to other plans or abandon the service altogether. Nevertheless, the atmosphere within Activision remains optimistic, according to the insider.

GhostofHope

The insider noted that the mood surrounding the development of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has improved significantly. «A few months ago, management was displeased, but now the outlook is much brighter,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, not everyone shares the developers’ optimism regarding CoD. Earlier this year, Raphael Colantonio, founder of Arkane Studios, described Game Pass as an “unstable and destructive model for the industry” that conflicts with traditional methods of game distribution. Additionally, Microsoft recently reported a 29% decline in console sales in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.