Can I Play Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War on PC if I Bought it on Xbox?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

No, you cannot play Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War on PC if you only purchased the Xbox version of the game. The Xbox license and entitlements do not carry over or unlock the game on PC.

To play Black Ops Cold War on both platforms, you would need to buy the game twice – once on Xbox and once for PC via Battle.net. This applies to all Call of Duty titles.

A Breakdown of Call of Duty Platforms and Purchasing

When Activision releases new Call of Duty games, they launch on multiple platforms simultaneously:

  • Xbox Series X/S
  • PlayStation 5/4
  • PC via Battle.net
  • Last-gen – Xbox One and PS4

Each platform has its own individual digital storefronts and licenses.

  • Xbox – Microsoft Store
  • PlayStation – PlayStation Store
  • PC – Battle.net Shop

Buying the game on any platform only entitles you to play it on that platform. The licenses are not interchangeable across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.

For example, if you buy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II on:

  • Xbox – You can only access and play it on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One
  • PlayStation – You can only play on PS5 and PS4
  • PC – You can only play the PC version through Battle.net

There is no way unlock the game on other platforms without re-purchasing it.

Cross-Progression Systems

Modern Call of Duty titles do have cross-platform progression systems and account linking through your Activision ID. This allows you to sync certain elements between platforms:

  • Unlocked weapons/attachments
  • Earned skins and cosmetics
  • Battle Pass progression
  • Stats and rankings

However, this does not bypass the need to own the game on each platform.

For example, if you Level Up to Tier 100 on the Modern Warfare II Battle Pass on Xbox, that progression carries over to PC. But you still have to buy Modern Warfare II again on PC to actually play it and see that progression.

The same applies for unlocking weapon camos on one platform and having them accessible on another linked via your Activision ID. You need to re-purchase the game for each platform.

What About Xbox Play Anywhere for Cross-Buy?

Xbox Play Anywhere is Microsoft‘s cross-buy program for playing owned games across Xbox consoles and Windows 10 PCs:

https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/xbox-play-anywhere

When you purchase digital Xbox games that are Play Anywhere enabled, you can install and play them on Xbox or a linked Windows 10 device without buying the game twice.

However, Activision‘s Call of Duty games are not part of Xbox Play Anywhere. New releases are not eligible for this cross-platform entitlement.

That means buying Black Ops Cold War on Xbox does not also let you install or play the PC version. You need separate purchases on both Xbox and Battle.net.

In Summary

While Call of Duty does have cross-progression across platforms through your Activision account, you must own digital licenses for each platform you intend to play on.

Owning Black Ops Cold War on Xbox does not entitle you to then play on PC. Nor does buying the game on PlayStation provide access on Xbox or vice versa.

You have to purchase Call of Duty titles like Black Ops Cold War and Modern Warfare II for every platform – whether that‘s Xbox, PlayStation, or PC. There is no way around this currently.

So in direct answer – no, you cannot play Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War on PC if you only bought the Xbox version. You would have to buy Black Ops Cold War again to install and play via Battle.net on a Windows PC.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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