Ethan Crossfield 
Xbox Game Pass subscribers can now play Call of Duty: Vanguard, which officially joined the service on June 17. Here’s what’s new, who gets access, and what the addition means for the growing Call of Duty—and Zombies—catalog.
What changed on Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass has expanded its Call of Duty library with the arrival of Call of Duty: Vanguard. The game joined the service on June 17, adding to the growing set of Activision titles available through Microsoft’s subscription.
This continued momentum follows Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October 2023, after which Xbox steadily increased how many Call of Duty entries subscribers can access via Game Pass. For some players, Vanguard’s arrival aligns with earlier rumors that pointed to the 2021 shooter as the next Call of Duty title to land on the service.
Who can play Vanguard, and what’s included
Call of Duty: Vanguard is available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Premium members, as well as subscribers on console, PC, and the cloud. Developed by Sledgehammer Games and originally released in 2021, Vanguard shifts the action to World War 2.
The campaign follows the formation of an international special forces unit assigned to stop a Nazi operation in the final days of the conflict. Beyond the main story, the package includes a Zombies mode created in collaboration with Treyarch, along with traditional multiplayer offerings.
At launch, Vanguard drew mixed reactions. Some players highlighted the game’s gunplay, visuals, and campaign set pieces, while others criticized its progression systems and argued it didn’t feel innovative compared with earlier franchise entries. Even with those divides, the title is still notable for its multiplayer focus and its return to the World War 2 setting that was used in the original trilogy.
Why this matters for Call of Duty Zombies and what’s next
Vanguard’s arrival is significant not only for bringing another mainline Call of Duty option to Game Pass, but also for adding another Zombies experience to the service. The source notes that there are currently seven Call of Duty titles available on Microsoft’s gaming platform.
It also indicates that future Call of Duty games will no longer launch day one on Xbox Game Pass, tied to the recent price cuts. That shift doesn’t erase what Vanguard already offers—especially for players specifically interested in Zombies—but it does change expectations for how quickly new entries will appear on the subscription.
Looking ahead, June’s Game Pass schedule includes more than Vanguard. The service is also set to add EA Sports FC 26 (EA Play), Age of Empires Mobile: PC Edition, and Abyssus, an FPS roguelite set in underwater ruins of an ancient civilization. In July, Palworld’s 1.0 release is expected, alongside Halo: Campaign Evolved launching day one on Xbox Game Pass at the end of the month.
What players should know
- Call of Duty: Vanguard is available on Xbox Game Pass starting June 17.
- Access includes Ultimate and Premium, plus subscribers on console, PC, and the cloud.
- The game features a World War 2 campaign, multiplayer modes, and a Zombies experience created with Treyarch.
- The service already has seven Call of Duty titles available, and Vanguard adds another Zombies option.
- Future Call of Duty games will no longer launch day one on Game Pass, linked to recent price cuts.
Expert View
Vanguard landing on Game Pass is a straightforward win for subscribers who want more Call of Duty variety without buying each entry outright—especially with Zombies included. At the same time, the note that upcoming Call of Duty releases won’t arrive day one suggests Game Pass’s strategy is shifting, so players who care about new launches may want to treat Vanguard as a “now” play rather than a preview of what’s next.
