Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Xbox One Digital Copies Removed Temporarily

Something strange appears to be going on with digital preorder copies of Call of Duty: Black Ops III for Xbox One. The digital version of this year's shooter has been removed from the Xbox Store and Amazon, a move that Microsoft says is temporary and one that Activision claims it had no hand in doing.

Representatives for Microsoft and Activision acknowledged the game's removal, but did not offer a specific reason for why it happened. For its part, Microsoft says in a statement to Polygon (via ICXM.net) that the game was removed "temporarily," while the company is "actively engaged with Activision to return it as soon as possible." No timetable for its return has been announced.

Pressed for additional details, a Microsoft representative said, "We do not comment on the specific terms of our arrangements with any of our publishing partners." Digital copies of Black Ops III already preordered from the Xbox Store will still work at launch in November.

Right now, the Black Ops III preorder page on Xbox.com states that the game is "available at your local retailer for preorder."

A representative for Activision, meanwhile, stressed that "Activision did not remove the digital version of Call of Duty: Black Ops III from the Xbox Games Store." Amazon has not commented on the matter.

Digital copies of Black Ops III remain available for preorder through the PlayStation Store, Amazon, and PC marketplaces. We'll have more on this story as it becomes available.

Earlier this year, Activision and Sony formed a new exclusive partnership for the Call of Duty series. Beginning with Black Ops III, all DLC for the franchise will launch first on PlayStation platforms. In addition, this summer's Black Ops III multiplayer beta was held first on PlayStation 4.

Previously, Call of Duty DLC launched first on Xbox.