Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Dominates as the Series' Biggest Release Yet

Many players were locked and loaded for the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, anticipating a return to the classic Black Ops formula—and the game has certainly delivered on that front.

However, few expected it to be this massive. The CEO of Microsoft recently announced that Black Ops 6 isn’t just popular; it has officially marked the biggest launch in Call of Duty history.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Reigns Supreme as Microsoft Announces It’s the Biggest Release in the Series to Date

According to Insider Gaming, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has gone on record to confirm that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has achieved the biggest launch in Call of Duty history. In his statement, Nadella shared that "last week’s launch of Black Ops 6 was the biggest Call of Duty release ever, setting records for both day-one players and Game Pass subscriber additions on launch day."

Breaking: Microsoft CEO says Black Ops 6 is the biggest Call of Duty release ever

Black Ops 6 set records for number of players on launch day and amount of new Game Pass subscriber in a single day

Microsoft CEO says sales on PlayStation and Steam were up 60% compared to MWIII pic.twitter.com/lpGMPviai0

— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) October 30, 2024

This success isn’t surprising, given Black Ops 6’s action-packed campaign, competitive multiplayer, and near-perfect revival of Zombies mode. However, many attribute the game’s skyrocketing popularity, reflected in these record-breaking numbers, to its status as the first major Call of Duty title available on Xbox Game Pass - a strategic move in Microsoft’s effort to grow its subscription service and overall revenue.

Sales on other platforms have also been impressive, with Nadella noting that unit sales on PlayStation and Steam increased by over 60% year-over-year. This aligns with Microsoft’s goal of accessibility, as Nadella explained, "This speaks to our strategy of meeting gamers where they are by enabling them to play more games across the screens they spend their time on."

With widespread praise since its launch and a strong lineup of post-launch content, including Season 1 debuting on November 14, Black Ops 6 is on track to cement its place as a fan-favorite and certified classic in the franchise.