Xbox Reworks Review Code System, CTO Says Process Too Slow
Xbox CTO Scott Van Vilet said reviewers and creators should be able to redeem and play games directly, with first updates expected soon.
Xbox is reevaluating how it distributes review codes, with Chief Technology Officer Scott Van Vilet saying the current process takes too many steps and that press and creators should be able to redeem a game and play it. The announcement was reported on October 28, 2026.
Van Vilet said the company's technical team is building toward the new system, and the first updates are expected to roll out soon. He did not give a specific date for the rollout.
According to Windows Central, some reviewers on Xbox currently have to hand over their Xbox Live Device ID to PR staff, who then manually whitelist the reviewer's hardware before a code can be used.
Modern Warfare 4 scores vary by platform
On October 26, the official Call of Duty account highlighted Metacritic scores for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 of 89 on PlayStation 5 and 86 on PC, without mentioning Xbox. Windows Central reported that the Xbox version of the game has no Metacritic score.
Xbox has not stated publicly whether the review code changes are connected to the missing Xbox score for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
Quick answers
What did Xbox's CTO say about review codes?
Scott Van Vilet said reviewing a game on Xbox takes too many steps today and that press and creators should be able to redeem and play.
When will the new Xbox review code system arrive?
Xbox's technical team is reportedly building toward the new system, with first updates expected to roll out soon. No specific date was given.
Does Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 have an Xbox Metacritic score?
No. The Xbox version has no Metacritic score, while the PlayStation 5 version sits at 89 and the PC version at 86.