Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 launches in Xbox Game Pass soon, while an underrated co-op RPG returns to the service

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 launches in Xbox Game Pass soon, while an underrated co-op RPG returns to the service

What you need to know

  • Another wave of games are headed to different tiers of Xbox Game Pass in the coming weeks. 
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is launching day one into Xbox Game Pass on October 25, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty: Warzone will be playable through Xbox Cloud Gaming. 
  • Other games coming to the service include A44’s co-op RPG Ashen and Ubisoft’s South Park: The Fractured But Whole.
  • A handful of games are also leaving the service soon, including Inkulinati.

As an analyst with over two decades of gaming experience under my belt, I must say that this latest update to Xbox Game Pass is nothing short of impressive. The addition of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on launch day alone is enough to make any gamer’s heart race, but the return of Ashen and the inclusion of South Park: The Fractured But Whole are just the icing on the cake.


As we reach the midpoint of this month, it feels like a fresh wave of exciting games are on their way to my gaming subscription service from Microsoft.

Over the next few weeks, several games will be joining Xbox Game Pass, as announced on Xbox Wire on Tuesday. Among them is the reappearance of Ashen, a 2018 cooperative role-playing game that was developed by A44 and published by Annapurna Interactive.

Indeed, an exciting development for the second half of October 2024 involves three new additions to the gaming landscape. Firstly, we have the already-announced title, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Joining it at launch will be two more games: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023) and Call of Duty: Warzone. These last two games are planned to debut on Xbox Cloud Gaming as part of their lineup.

The upcoming games joining Xbox Game Pass are listed below, along with their release dates and the specific Game Pass tiers or services they will be available on.

October 16

  • South Park: The Fractured But Whole (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Windows PC) – Ultimate, Standard, PC

October 17

  • Donut County (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Windows PC) – Ultimate, Standard, PC
  • MechWarrior 5: Clans (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Windows PC) – Ultimate, PC

October 25

  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Windows PC) – Ultimate, PC
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Xbox Cloud Gaming) – Ultimate
  • Call of Duty: Warzone (Xbox Cloud Gaming) – Ultimate

October 29

  • Ashen (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Windows PC) – Ultimate, Standard, PC

October 31

  • Dead Island 2 (Windows PC) – Ultimate, PC

November 5

  • StarCraft: Remastered (Windows PC) – Ultimate, PC
  • StarCraft 2: Campaign Collection (Windows PC) – Ultimate, PC

What games are leaving on October 31?

Some games will be departing from Xbox Game Pass in the near future, just as it happens occasionally. If you wish to continue enjoying these games, purchasing them prior to their departure is recommended. By doing so, you can enjoy a discount on your purchase. Here are the games that will no longer be available on Xbox Game Pass soon:

  • Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery 
  • Headbangers
  • Inkulinati
  • Lonely Mountain’s Downhill 
  • Mineko’s Night Market 

A busy few weeks for Activision Blizzard on Xbox

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 launches in Xbox Game Pass soon, while an underrated co-op RPG returns to the service

As a researcher examining the gaming landscape, I’ve noticed that while Microsoft has taken its time in incorporating numerous games from the Activision Blizzard King library into Xbox Game Pass, this month promises an influx of exciting titles.

Without a doubt, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 stands out, serving as a significant trial for Microsoft’s in-house productions. It’s equally pleasing to notice the revival of StarCraft, which has been somewhat overlooked for quite some time.

Beyond the initial collection of games, I strongly suggest giving Ashen a try if you haven’t played it yet. Although it shares similarities with FromSoftware’s titles, its emphasis on leisurely exploration and cooperative gameplay truly distinguishes it. It’s fascinating to observe villages gradually blooming as you accomplish quests in different regions. If you’re seeking something a bit spooky but surprisingly comforting, gather a friend and give it a shot.

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2024-10-15 17:39