Gaming Giants Unite: Activision Blizzard Reveals Xbox Game Pass Strategy

Following the anticipated closure of the Microsoft and Activision Blizzard deal, the gaming giant unveiled a peek into its strategy for the Xbox Game Pass in the upcoming year. Though gamers might be holding their breath for blockbusters like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Diablo IV, Activision Blizzard clarified via a statement on X that these titles won't feature on the Game Pass within the current year.

Elaborating on the subject, the statement read: "While we do not have plans to put Modern Warfare® III or Diablo IV into Game Pass this year, once the deal closes, we expect to start working with Xbox to bring our titles to more players around the world. And we anticipate that we would begin adding games into Game Pass sometime in the course of next year."

Titles to Anticipate on Game Pass Post-Acquisition

The discourse surrounding the potential games making their way to the Game Pass, once the deal is sealed, has fueled curiosity. This topic found its way into discussions during the FTC trial in June. Here, Xbox VP, Sarah Bond, highlighted a pre-existing agreement, barring Call of Duty from the Game Pass till January 2025.

However, this stipulation doesn't limit the addition of popular titles like Diablo IV in the coming year. If Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda is any indication, Game Pass could soon be home to a slew of Activision Blizzard games. After all, Bethesda’s acquisition saw a surge of its titles, including those from revered franchises like Doom, Elder Scrolls, and Fallout, being added to the Game Pass.

Closing Remarks on the $69 Billion Acquisition

This unveiling is among the many updates in the pipeline concerning the monumental $69 billion acquisition. As per reports from The Verge, the deal is on track to wrap up well before the stipulated Oct. 18 deadline, setting the stage for the next era of gaming collaborations between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard.