According to engadget, Xbox Game Pass is adding Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and ten other titles throughout November 2025. The lineup kicks off with Dead Static Drive on November 5, followed by Sniper Elite: Resistance the same day and Egging On plus Whiskerwood on November 6. Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris and Pigeon Simulator arrive November 11, with the headline title Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 dropping on November 14 featuring 16 6v6 maps and two 20v20 maps at launch. This comes after Microsoft recently raised the price of Game Pass Ultimate from $20 to $30 per month, making it 50 percent more expensive than before. The $30 Ultimate tier is now required for day-one access to new releases like Black Ops 7.
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The price of day-one access
Here’s the thing about that $30 price tag – it’s starting to look like Microsoft’s testing exactly how much people will pay for convenience. Getting Black Ops 7 on day one without dropping $70 is tempting, but that math gets complicated fast. At $30 monthly, you’re paying $360 annually for Game Pass Ultimate. That’s more than five full-priced games per year. So the question becomes: do you actually play enough new releases to make that worthwhile?
And let’s be real – this isn’t happening in a vacuum. Microsoft’s been gradually increasing prices across the board. We saw hikes in 2024, and now another significant jump. They’re basically saying “look, we know you want these big games, and we’re going to charge accordingly.” It’s a bold move when you consider that the full Game Pass library includes everything from indie darlings to AAA blockbusters.
Beyond Call of Duty
While everyone’s talking about Black Ops 7, the rest of November’s lineup is actually pretty interesting. You’ve got Dead Static Drive bringing that 80s road trip horror vibe, Sniper Elite offering co-op tactical gameplay, and then there’s Egging On – which might be the most bizarre platformer concept I’ve seen in years. Playing as an egg escaping a hen house? That’s either genius or completely ridiculous.
What strikes me is the diversity here. Microsoft isn’t just throwing AAA titles at the service – they’re mixing in strategy games like Whiskerwood, action titles, and weird experimental stuff. It’s a portfolio approach that makes the subscription feel more valuable, even at that higher price point. Basically, they’re banking on there being something for everyone each month.
The subscription gamble
So what’s the endgame here? Microsoft seems to be betting that convenience and variety will outweigh sticker shock. They’re positioning Game Pass as your primary gaming destination – the Netflix of games, but with day-one releases that streaming services can’t match. The recent rebranding and tier restructuring all point toward this being a deliberate strategy rather than random price increases.
But here’s my question: how many people are actually going to stick around at $30 monthly? For hardcore gamers who play multiple new releases, it’s still a deal. For everyone else? That’s a tougher sell. Microsoft’s walking a fine line between maximizing revenue and keeping their subscriber base engaged. This November lineup, with its mix of blockbuster and niche titles, feels like their attempt to justify the new pricing structure to both audiences.
