Xbox Game Pass may soon be adding the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 to its content library, as suggested by a new ad that appears to be acknowledging the addition prematurely. While the evidence is not conclusive, this would not be the first time Microsoft has inadvertently revealed an Xbox Game Pass arrival ahead of time.

Originally released in November 2009 for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC, Modern Warfare 2 went on to become one of the most critically acclaimed Call of Duty games ever made. Xbox Game Pass subscribers have been asking for it to be added to the service ever since Microsoft completed its Activision Blizzard acquisition in late 2023.

call of duty: ww2's player count increases by over 1,000% on xbox.
Call of Duty: WW2 is Doing Very Well on Xbox Game Pass

Despite recent controversies, Call of Duty: WW2 reaches a milestone on Game Pass that's quite impressive for an eight-year-old game.

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Original Modern Warfare 2 Spotted in New Xbox Game Pass Ad

Microsoft may finally be responding to those requests, as suggested by a new Xbox Game Pass Premium ad promoting the service’s $1 trial. As spotted by Reddit user TypicalNarr, the collage used in the ad’s background features a Modern Warfare 2 cover near the top center of the image. The image appears to show the cover belonging to the 2009 original rather than the 2020 Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered.

On its own, a development of this sort offers little conclusive evidence of future Xbox Game Pass releases. Microsoft’s marketing team may simply have included the Modern Warfare 2 cover by mistake while composing the visual for the ad. However, this banner is not the first sign that the iconic first-person shooter could be headed to the subscription service. Earlier this year, XboxEra reported that the original Modern Warfare 2 was coming to Xbox Game Pass, citing sources close to Microsoft. The report suggested a March–April 2025 release window, which ultimately did not materialize. There was a Modern Warfare 2 arrival in May, but that was the 2022 reboot rather than the 2009 original. If the new ad is accurate, XboxEra’s report may have been right, just off in timing.

Xbox Game Pass May Soon Offer Half a Dozen Call of Duty Titles

Modern Warfare 2 would mark the sixth (non-F2P) Call of Duty entry to be available on Microsoft's subscription service, at least assuming that it arrives after Black Ops 7 reaches Xbox Game Pass on November 14. Even if the shooter is added to the XGP library, it remains unclear whether it will include all content. It is more likely that Microsoft will offer only the single-player campaign. Such a move would avoid drawing players away from the latest Call of Duty release while still giving longtime fans a chance to revisit classic missions.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) Tag Page Cover Art
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Released
November 10, 2009
ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs
Developer(s)
Infinity Ward
Publisher(s)
Activision
Multiplayer
Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Genre(s)
Shooter