The wait is over. Microsoft just confirmed that Call of Duty Black Ops 7 will launch directly into Xbox Game Pass on November 14, 2025, marking the first time a mainline Call of Duty game arrives on the subscription service from day one. This is the moment fans have been anticipating ever since Microsoft completed its Activision Blizzard acquisition, and it’s finally happening.
What You Get With Game Pass
Black Ops 7 will be available across cloud, console, and PC for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. That means if you’re already paying for either of these tiers, you’ll get full access to the campaign, multiplayer, and zombies modes without dropping an extra sixty dollars. This is exclusive to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members, so the cheaper console-only tier won’t include it.
The game officially launches worldwide on November 14, though console access varies slightly by region due to staggered rollout times. Microsoft is releasing the game at midnight local time in most regions, with New Zealand getting access first at 3am PT on November 13. Players can start preloading the game on November 10 at 9am PT, and even if you haven’t pre-ordered, you can use the Xbox mobile app to download it as soon as preloads go live.
Everything Packed Into Black Ops 7
Treyarch and Raven Software built Black Ops 7 as the biggest entry in the Black Ops series yet. The campaign can be played solo or in co-op mode, taking players through high-stakes missions across environments ranging from neon-lit Japanese rooftops to the Mediterranean coast. At the center of the story is Avalon, an expansive city hiding plenty of secrets to uncover.
Multiplayer launches with serious firepower. You’re getting 16 maps designed for 6v6 gameplay plus two larger 20v20 maps right at launch. The settings span from futuristic Tokyo vistas to frozen Alaskan wilderness, each environment offering different tactical opportunities. The game also introduces an evolved Omnimovement system that lets you execute Wall Jumps, Combat Rolls from steep falls, and tactical mantles to gain positioning advantages over opponents.
Zombies Mode Returns With Dark Aether Story
Treyarch’s legendary round-based Zombies mode is back with a new chapter centered around the Dark Aether. According to the official description, the crew finds themselves trapped in a vast, ever-shifting hellscape where the fog never lifts, shadows breathe, and the dead don’t rest. This continues the storyline from Black Ops 6 and promises to deliver the same intense survival experience the mode is known for.
During the open beta that ran from October 2 to October 9, players who pre-ordered or had Game Pass got early access to test both multiplayer and the Zombies survival map called Vandorn Farm. The beta received positive feedback, particularly for an Open Moshpit playlist that drastically reduced skill-based matchmaking. That playlist proved so popular that Treyarch announced it would become the default matchmaking system for the full release.
The Full November Game Pass Lineup
Black Ops 7 headlines a packed first half of November for Game Pass, but it’s not the only day-one release hitting the service. Here’s the complete wave one lineup Microsoft announced.
| Game | Release Date | Day One Release |
|---|---|---|
| Dead Static Drive | November 5 | Yes |
| Sniper Elite Resistance | November 5 | No |
| Egging On | November 6 | Yes |
| Whiskerwood | November 6 | Yes |
| Voidtrain | November 7 | No |
| Great God Grove | November 11 | No |
| Lara Croft Temple of Osiris | November 11 | No |
| Pigeon Simulator | November 11 | Yes |
| Relic Hunters Legend | November 12 | No |
| Winter Burrow | November 12 | Yes |
| Call of Duty Black Ops 7 | November 14 | Yes |
Dead Static Drive is particularly interesting, described by Xbox as “Grand Theft Cthulhu.” It’s an indie survival horror game following a nightmarish road trip across 1980s Americana that blends weird fiction with Eldritch horror themes. Winter Burrow offers something completely different – a cozy woodland survival game where you play as a mouse gathering resources, crafting, and trying to survive winter in your childhood burrow.
Technical Requirements for PC Players
PC gamers need to be aware of one important requirement. The Windows version of Black Ops 7 requires TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot enabled on your system. Activision stated this requirement exists to “provide the strongest safeguard possible” against cheaters in multiplayer matches. Most modern gaming PCs support these features, but you’ll need to enable them in your BIOS if they’re not already active.
The game will also be available on cloud gaming platforms including GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming, giving you even more flexibility in how you play. This cross-platform availability means you can start a session on your Xbox, continue on PC, or even play through cloud streaming on supported devices.
What Microsoft’s Acquisition Really Delivered
This release represents a significant milestone following Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Fans have been asking when Call of Duty would come to Game Pass ever since the deal was announced, and Microsoft is delivering exactly what was promised. The timing also comes after recent pricing adjustments to Game Pass tiers, with Ultimate subscribers getting the full benefit of day-one access to major releases like this.
For context, this is fundamentally different from how Call of Duty releases typically work. Previous entries required a full-price purchase regardless of platform. Now, millions of Game Pass subscribers can jump into the latest Call of Duty without any additional cost beyond their existing subscription. That’s a massive value proposition, especially considering Black Ops 7 is a premium AAA release launching simultaneously across all platforms.
Games Leaving Game Pass on November 15
While Black Ops 7 and other titles are arriving, several games are leaving the Game Pass library on November 15. These include Blacksmith Master, Football Manager 2024, Football Manager 2024 Console Edition, Frostpunk, Spirittea, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Heart of Chernobyl. If you’re actively playing any of these, you can purchase them with up to 20% off before they leave to keep them in your library permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Call of Duty Black Ops 7 come to Game Pass?
Black Ops 7 launches on Xbox Game Pass on November 14, 2025, the same day it releases worldwide. It will be available across cloud, console, and PC for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.
Do I need Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to play Black Ops 7?
You need either Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass to access Black Ops 7. The cheaper console-only Game Pass tier does not include access to this game.
When can I preload Call of Duty Black Ops 7?
Preloading begins on November 10, 2025, at 9am PT or 12pm ET. Even if you haven’t pre-ordered the game, you can use the Xbox mobile app to download it as soon as preloads go live.
What game modes are included in Black Ops 7?
Black Ops 7 includes a full campaign playable solo or in co-op, multiplayer with 16 6v6 maps and 2 20v20 maps at launch, and round-based Zombies mode featuring a new Dark Aether storyline.
Will Black Ops 7 have skill-based matchmaking?
Treyarch announced that based on positive feedback from the beta, the Open Moshpit playlist with drastically reduced skill-based matchmaking will become the default matchmaking system for the full release.
What are the PC requirements for Black Ops 7?
PC players must enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot on their systems to play Black Ops 7. Activision implemented this requirement to provide stronger protection against cheaters in multiplayer matches.
Can I play Black Ops 7 on Xbox One?
Yes, Black Ops 7 will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Game Pass access includes both console generations for Xbox.
Is this the first Call of Duty game on Game Pass?
Black Ops 7 is the first mainline Call of Duty game to launch directly on Game Pass from day one. Previous Call of Duty games offered free play weekends for Game Pass members, but this is the first full day-one inclusion.
Conclusion
November 14 marks a turning point for Xbox Game Pass and the Call of Duty franchise. Getting a premium AAA shooter of this caliber on day one without additional cost is exactly the kind of value that justifies a Game Pass subscription. Whether you’re diving into the campaign with friends, grinding multiplayer ranks across 18 launch maps, or surviving endless zombie hordes in the Dark Aether, there’s something here for every type of shooter fan. The addition of Black Ops 7 alongside a strong lineup of indie day-one releases makes November 2025 one of the most compelling months for the service yet. If you’ve been on the fence about Game Pass Ultimate, this might be the perfect time to jump in.