Microsoft has officially announced the discontinuation of discounts on Call of Duty DLC for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, eliminating the previous 10% discount in favor of a rewards points system. Ultimate and Premium members will now earn reward points for purchases instead of receiving direct discounts. Furthermore, subscribers can no longer directly redeem these points for Game Pass subscriptions; they must now accumulate enough points for a gift card equivalent to the subscription cost. This change coincides with a recent price increase for the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which has risen by 50%. These adjustments in the Game Pass program signal a significant shift in Microsoft's benefits structure for gamers, despite their record subscription revenues last year.

What changes were made to the Xbox Game Pass rewards program?

The Xbox Game Pass rewards program now rewards users with points for game and DLC purchases instead of offering direct discounts. Users can earn a 10% reward on select purchases, but can't redeem points directly for subscriptions anymore—they must obtain a gift card instead.

Call of Duty has been a staple in the gaming community, evolving with each new release to keep players engaged. The transition to a points-based rewards system reflects broader trends in gaming subscriptions and monetization strategies, impacting player expectations and engagement with platforms like Xbox Game Pass. The upcoming title, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, is poised to showcase these changes while continuing to attract gamers in a competitive market.