Microsoft has revealed that some of its first-party titles will see a price jump to $80 in 2025. Given Call of Duty‘s status as one of the publisher’s flagship franchises, it’s expected to be among the games affected by this increase. This development follows a trend across the industry where game prices have gradually climbed over recent years.
The shift from $60 to $70 for AAA games happened during this console generation, but price hikes are now creeping beyond software into hardware. For instance, Sony has already raised prices on PS5 consoles in certain regions, Xbox systems are slated for significant cost increases in the US, and Nintendo plans to sell Switch 2 titles at $80 each.
Call of Duty’s Price Tag May Reach $80 with Black Ops 7
Black Ops 7, rumored as the mainline installment dropping in 2025 and developed consecutively by Treyarch, might continue the series storyline set in 2035, following up on events from Black Ops 2. According to Xbox sources, this title is expected to be the first Call of Duty game released at an $80 price point.
The pricing change specifically targets major Microsoft-owned franchises; third-party publishers retain discretion over their pricing strategies. This means not all upcoming Xbox releases will necessarily reach this new price level immediately. However, big-name exclusives like Call of Duty appear likely candidates for such adjustments.
Microsoft attributes these moves to “market conditions and the rising cost of development,” acknowledging economic pressures affecting studios and players.
This adjustment isn’t just limited to Xbox platforms — other major retailers and console ecosystems like PlayStation, Steam, and Nintendo Switch (including the upcoming Switch 2) are expected to reflect similar increases for popular titles such as Call of Duty. The timing and scale may vary by region or platform.
Currently, earlier entries like Black Ops 6 remain priced typically without any retroactive changes announced yet. There’s also no indication that other recent premium releases such as Indiana Jones and The Great Circle will face immediate hikes.
