The arduous journey of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is nearing its climax. Following overcoming legal hurdles from the Federal Trade Commission and the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, the tech giant is on the verge of finalising the deal. Ever since the acquisition’s announcement, there’s been a whirlpool of speculation surrounding which of Activision Blizzard’s heavyweight titles will make their way to Xbox Game Pass.
The tweet that raised hopes
A recent tweet from Activision Blizzard has shed some light on this anticipation, albeit vaguely. After the deal’s closure, the gaming behemoth mentions working alongside Xbox to identify titles that would seamlessly integrate with Xbox Game Pass. Although they stopped short of promising the inclusion of blockbuster titles like Diablo 4 or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the tweet suggests that other titles might join the Xbox Game Pass roster as early as next year.
“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,” the tweet elaborated. It’s a statement that exudes a blend of caution and hope, acknowledging the integration yet keeping specifics under wraps.
Itโs awesome to see anticipation building for Call of Dutyยฎ: Modern Warfareยฎ III. As we continue to work toward regulatory approval of the Microsoft deal, weโve been getting some questions whether our upcoming and recently launched games will be available via Game Pass.
— Activision Blizzard (@ATVI_AB) October 9, 2023
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Speculation and expectations around game availability
The haze of uncertainty still envelops the exact timeline of when Activision Blizzard’s games will land on Xbox Game Pass. Despite this, it’s clear that discussions between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are underway, eyeing a future where more players can access a broader game library.
Microsoft’s quick addition of acquired Bethesda titles to Xbox Game Pass in the past only raises expectations for a similar move with Activision Blizzard games. The upcoming launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on November 10 and the speculated closure of the acquisition deal on October 13 only thickens the speculation.
While the gaming community holds its breath, the unfolding scenario holds promise. Microsoft’s quest to expand its Xbox Game Pass, juxtaposed with Activision Blizzard’s enormous game vault, presents a compelling future, albeit with much left to unveil.
