Summary
- Call of Duty potentially joining Game Pass could alleviate storage concerns and allow players to swap between multiple CoD titles with ease.
- Cloud gaming might offer a solution to massive file sizes, making it easier for gamers to access multiple CoD titles without long downloads or the games hogging storage space.
- Game Pass could benefit both players and developers, with added value for subscribers and the potential to boost subs for Microsoft. Still, it is a band-aid solution, as fans on other platforms are desperate for CoD file sizes to get smaller.
With Activision now under Microsoft's umbrella, many fans are hoping to see franchises like Call of Duty bump up the value of their Game Pass subscription. With recent rumors about Call of Duty finally coming to the service, there's one major benefit to its inclusion that can't go unmentioned.
There's certainly some possibility for Call of Duty to arrive on Game Pass, with Activision going on record about its willingness to bring the series to the service. Recently, further rumors have been flying about the concept. A Reddit user spotted Black Ops 3 in Xbox Cloud Gaming's catalog, and an article by Insider Gaming stated how the franchise's back catalogue would soon be made available on Game Pass.
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Call Of Duty On Game Pass Could Help With The Series' File Size Woes
As the likelihood of CoD reaching Game Pass grows, the benefits of such a model for the franchise become all the sharper. Not only would it allow more players to get started with the series, something that benefits both gamers and Activision, but it could give fans the chance to play CoD games via the cloud. If Microsoft and Activision pursue this route, it would be a huge boon for those scared off by the monstrous file sizes of CoD titles. With games like Black Ops 3, Modern Warfare, and Modern Warfare 3 being gluttons for storage space, following a trend that's becoming all the more common in gaming, a little alleviation for gamers could go a long way.
Cloud Gaming Could Help Skip Long Downloads
Ballooning file sizes are starting to become a real problem in the industry. The Battlefront Classic Collection sparked controversy with its file size just recently; in addition to its server fiasco on launch, the collection arrived with a huge file size. Even on Switch, the two games came to 25GB—while the two original games only came to around 8GB. The issues of lackluster file compression have only gotten worse with the decline of physical gaming, as many disc copies require larger and larger downloads.
Call of Duty has been a major antagonist for gamers struggling with storage space. Not only has the franchise had many big titles throughout its history, but Modern Warfare 3's size of over 200GB has made matters even worse. Fortunately, if Activision brings the series to Game Pass and opts into cloud gaming, it could bypass these concerns in a way that's faster than getting the game compressed. Cloud gaming would allow for players to jump right into a new or old CoD release, a useful asset when considering the aging series' increased competition.
Game Pass Comes With Many Other Benefits
While some have debated how good Xbox Game Pass is for developers, there are undeniable benefits to the service that even a giant like CoD could take advantage of. For one thing, it would be a good idea to throw old games on the service. With these titles no longer seeing consistent sales, there would be little drawback to putting them on Game Pass—and the added value would incentivize more purchases, inevitably boosting both Activision and Microsoft. As well as this, it'd help CoD regain any ground lost to Battlefield, which has already enjoyed a storied presence on the service.
Cloud Gaming Is Still Only A Band-Aid Solution
The massive downloads on even physical media, which is showing no signs of slowing down with recent titles like Star Wars Outlaws, is still a problem regardless of a cloud gaming solution. Players may not be able to afford Game Pass every month and may have no interest in the majority of its catalog. Physical media should have the same download-skipping it used to be known for, and it would be advantageous for file sizes to be cut down in CoD and other modern releases.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare III
- Released
- November 10, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
The war has changed. Call of Duty returns with an all-new campaign, modernized versions of classic Multiplayer maps and an open-world PvE Zombies experience. The campaign, a direct sequel to the record-breaking Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, sees Captain Price and Task Force 141 face off against ultranationalist war criminal Vladimir Makarov as he extends his grasp across the world. In Multiplayer, the 16 maps that launched with Modern Warfare 2 in 2009 return with upgraded graphics, new modes and innovative gameplay features. In Modern Warfare Zombies, team up with other squads for the first time ever as you work together to survive in the largest Zombies map yet
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Sledgehammer Games
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Franchise
- Call of Duty, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
- Split Screen Orientation
- Horizontal Only
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
- How Long To Beat
- 5 Hours
- Metascore
- 60
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 Players
