Call of Duty sales drop after Activision Blizzard acquisition: what does this mean for players?
Intelligence Summary
- Call of Duty highlights the tension between strong sales, Krafton’s earn-out deals, and player expectations.
Briefly
- Activision Microsoft completed the acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $70 billion in 2023.
- Call of Duty sales fell by more than 60% between Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7 in 2025.
- Xbox software and services saw a 5% decline in both Q2 and Q3 of 2025.
GAME-scanner analysis
Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard for an astronomical $70 billion has not had the expected positive impact on Call of Duty franchise sales. In fact, reports show that Call of Duty sales in 2025 dropped by more than 60% compared with the previous year. That is a worrying trend for Microsoft, especially given the central role Call of Duty plays in its gaming strategy. Microsoft CFO Amy Hood explicitly attributed the decline to weaker Call of Duty sales, underscoring how vulnerable the franchise can be.
The sales drop comes at a time when Microsoft is trying to strengthen its Xbox platform with new releases and Game Pass expansions. Even though 2025 was a year with plenty of new Xbox releases, such as The Outer Worlds 2, these titles did not deliver the sales figures Microsoft had hoped for. That raises questions about the future of the franchise and Xbox’s overall strategy.
What does this mean for players?
For gamers, this sales decline could mean the future of Call of Duty is less certain. If the franchise cannot maintain its appeal, we may see less frequent releases or even changes in the direction of the series. In addition, the decline in Xbox software and services could affect the quality and quantity of future Game Pass offerings, directly impacting the value players get from their subscription.
Timeline
2023: Activision Microsoft completes the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
2024: Call of Duty remains a key title for Microsoft, but begins showing signs of sales fatigue.
2025: Call of Duty sales drop by more than 60% between Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7; Xbox software and services fall 5% in Q2 and Q3.
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Sources
Tweet van @ethangachTweet van @ethangach2025 was a great year for new Xbox releases and Game Pass additions, but not in terms of the sales of many of those games or the growth of that subscription service. Despite a multiplatform launch, The Outer Worlds 2 didn’t sell enough to keep the franchise viable . The twin pillars of the Xbox business–software and services–both struggled, down 5 percent in the second quarter and another 5 percent in the third. Microsoft CFO Amy Hood blamed the most recent decline on a drop in Call of Duty sale