Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is a day-one Xbox Game Pass title. From its release on November 14, 2025, the base game is included in the Game Pass library rather than sold separately at full price for eligible subscribers.
In practical terms:
- If you have the right Game Pass plan, you can install and play the standard edition of Black Ops 7 at launch without paying its standalone price.
- Edition upgrades and cosmetic bundles (like the Vault Edition content) still cost extra.
Game Pass tiers that include Black Ops 7
Black Ops 7 is treated as a first-party release and is tied to the higher Game Pass tiers for day-one access. The key split is between console and PC players.
| How you play | Required Game Pass plan | Black Ops 7 on day one? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One (installed on console) | Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | Yes | On console, Black Ops 7 is available with Game Pass, but day-one releases are limited to the top tier. Cheaper console-only plans do not get guaranteed day-one access. |
| Windows 10/11 PC (via Xbox app) | PC Game Pass | Yes | The game is explicitly included with Game Pass on PC from launch, without needing Ultimate, as long as you hold an active PC Game Pass subscription. |
| Cloud streaming (Xbox Cloud Gaming) | Game Pass plan that includes cloud play | Yes | The Xbox listing notes that Black Ops 7 can be streamed “with Game Pass via cloud gaming.” Access depends on having a plan that includes cloud streaming. |
On PlayStation and on PC via Battle.net or Steam, Game Pass does not apply. To play on those platforms you need to buy the game outright through their respective stores.
Subscription cost vs buying Black Ops 7 outright
You effectively have two routes to play Black Ops 7:
- Subscription route: pay monthly for Game Pass and play the standard edition at no extra charge while it remains in the catalog and your membership is active.
- Ownership route: buy a license on your chosen storefront and keep access regardless of Game Pass, subject to that platform’s usual terms.
On console and PC, the standalone price for the base game is listed at £69.99, with a higher-priced Vault Edition at £99.99.
Game Pass pricing (at the time described in the official materials) is:
- Game Pass Ultimate (console, plus benefits): about £22.99 per month.
- PC Game Pass (PC only): about £13.49 per month.
This means:
- If you mainly want to play Black Ops 7 for a short period, one or two months of Game Pass may cost less than buying the full game.
- If you plan to play throughout the year and you only care about this one title, buying it outright may become cheaper over time than staying subscribed purely for Black Ops 7.
What Game Pass includes for Black Ops 7 (and what it does not)
Game Pass gives access to the standard edition of Black Ops 7. That includes:
- The full co‑op campaign set in 2035 with David Mason and his team.
- Multiplayer with all launch content (18 maps and 30 weapons at release, plus the new Overclock system and progression).
- The round‑based Zombies mode, including the large Dark Aether map described in the game details.
Game Pass does not automatically include premium add‑ons. The notable extras are bundled into the Vault Edition and its upgrade.
| Content | Included with Game Pass base access? | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Standard game (campaign, multiplayer, Zombies) | Yes | Install via Game Pass on eligible plans. |
| Cross‑gen bundle license (console generations) | Yes for Game Pass play | Game Pass lets you play on Xbox One and Series X|S while subscribed. Buying the game separately also grants cross‑gen ownership. |
| BlackCell (1 Season) – Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 COD Points and extras | No | Part of the Vault Edition or the Vault Edition upgrade, both paid add‑ons. |
| Operator Collection (Harper, Karma, T.E.D.D., Reaper EWR‑3 skins) | No | Included only in Vault Edition or Vault Edition upgrade. |
| Mastercraft Collection (5 Mastercraft weapons) | No | Vault Edition or Vault Edition upgrade purchase required. |
| Ultra GobbleGum Pack for Zombies (8 Ultra‑rarity GobbleGums) | No | Also tied to Vault Edition or its upgrade. |
| Permanent Unlock Token + Guild Override weapon camo | No | Unlocked by buying the Vault Edition or Vault Edition upgrade. |
The Xbox listing explicitly notes that Game Pass members can still buy the Vault Edition upgrade to unlock all of this premium content on top of their included base game access.
There is also a limited‑time bonus where playing Black Ops 7 before Season 1 starts grants 5 hours of Double Level XP and 5 hours of Double Weapon XP tokens, limited to one set per account. That applies regardless of whether you’re playing via Game Pass or a purchased copy, as long as you meet the timing requirement.
Why you might still see a price or “pre‑order” prompt
Many players with Game Pass report that Black Ops 7 sometimes shows a purchase requirement or “pre‑order” message, especially around launch. There are a few common reasons for this:
- Before release, COD HQ can only show pre‑purchase prompts. The Call of Duty HQ launcher is free, and it lists Black Ops 7 alongside other titles. Until the release time hits in your region, it treats the game as “coming soon” and may only offer pre‑order options even if you have already preloaded it via Game Pass.
- You are seeing the Vault Edition upgrade, not the base game. On the Xbox store and inside COD HQ, the £30 / $30‑ish price that appears for some players is for the Vault Edition upgrade. Game Pass covers the base edition only; the upgrade is always an optional extra purchase.
- Your Game Pass plan may not be eligible. On console, day‑one access is tied specifically to Game Pass Ultimate. If you are on a cheaper console‑only tier, the store will show a full purchase price rather than an “included” tag.
- Account or region mismatch. If you preloaded the game while signed into a different account or changed regions to try to play early, COD HQ may not recognize ownership until everything (Xbox account, Activision account, and console region) lines up and the local release time has passed.
Once the game is fully live in your region and your subscription and accounts are configured correctly, the Xbox listing should show Black Ops 7 as included with Game Pass on eligible plans, with an option to install rather than only a purchase button.
Short answers to common Black Ops 7 Game Pass questions
Is Black Ops 7 included with basic console Game Pass without Ultimate?
Day‑one access is reserved for the top console tier. On Xbox consoles, you need Game Pass Ultimate to play Black Ops 7 through the subscription at launch. Lower‑priced console‑only plans do not guarantee day‑one access to new releases.
Is Black Ops 7 included with PC Game Pass?
Yes. On Windows 10/11, Black Ops 7 is part of the PC Game Pass catalog from day one, so an active PC Game Pass membership is enough to download and play.
Can I play Black Ops 7 on PlayStation or Steam through Game Pass?
No. Game Pass entitlements apply only on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs via the Xbox app. On PlayStation and on PC via Battle.net or Steam, Black Ops 7 is sold as a standalone purchase.
Do Game Pass members get all DLC and the Battle Pass for free?
No. Game Pass covers the base game. Seasonal Battle Passes, the BlackCell premium tier, cosmetic bundles, and Vault Edition content remain paid add‑ons for everyone, including Game Pass subscribers.
Can I play online multiplayer with Game Pass?
On console, online multiplayer for Black Ops 7 requires an Xbox Game Pass subscription. On PC, online play is available through the game itself without a separate console‑style online fee, but you still need PC Game Pass if you are not buying the game outright.
