It's looking very likely that this will be the week that Microsoft announces the closure of the Activision Blizzard takeover, and ahead of that point, ActiBlizz has taken to Twitter to reveal what Xbox fans can expect on Game Pass.
In a nutshell, it seems we won't be getting Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 or Diablo 4 on Xbox Game Pass in 2023, and while no other specific titles have been mentioned, we might be waiting until 2024 for the rest as well.
"It’s awesome to see anticipation building for Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III. As we continue to work toward regulatory approval of the Microsoft deal, we’ve been getting some questions whether our upcoming and recently launched games will be available via Game Pass."
"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."
Activision Blizzard does appear to be focusing on "upcoming and recently launched games" in the statement here, so we're still a bit unsure whether older Call of Duty titles and the likes of the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy could still arrive in 2023... you could interpret the wording in a couple of different ways.
Update (22:30 BST): According to Windows Central's Jez Corden, some older titles may actually arrive very soon:
"Our sources indicate (surprising nobody) that despite Activision's statement, you can expect to see a bunch of Activision stuff hit Xbox Game Pass as soon as the deal is finalized."
Ultimately, as long as the deal goes through, we're going to be treated to some absolutely incredible new offerings on Xbox Game Pass over the next 12 months. Thought this year was good? You've seen nothing yet!
What are your thoughts on this statement? Let us know down in the comments section below.
[source twitter.com, via twitter.com]
Comments 32
If diablo 4 or the new call of duty aren't coming then there's no point the rest of the games are mostly old and been on ps plus so they aren't anything special I have no interest in any of these games unless they release day one games it's pointless I do think gamepass is amazing just not any of Activision games at all
Kinda sucks alas, I'll shoot people elsewhere 😮💨
Well they can't put 'day 1' games in until they start making games again so I expected nothing less - Even Diablo 4 isn't 'Day 1' now and CoD has existing contracts like Deathloop & Ghostwire, so we will have to wait for the fruits of 'new' releases.
I can understand that they can't just drop everything 'old' into Game Pass too so I expected a 'delay' into next year to see most of those come anyway as the deal doesn't close that soon from the new year and then you need 'time' to organise and plan. MS can't 'officially' (or legally I think) talk with ABK about this until they 'own' them.
Yet some will expect 'instant gratification' the second the deal closes!
Did anybody really expect them this year? Year is almost done now.
I think Diablo 4 will be one of the first added, with it having battle passes etc so can start making money on it asap.
Let’s just have gamepass on all consoles and I don’t mean cloud the full games to download like on Xbox. Day one etc etc all at the same time.
Then we can just choose between PS5 or Switch 2 on the console front and one step closer to full gaming euphoria.
“We’ve been getting some questions. Here’s a response that will leave you all with more questions.” 😂
Added a comment from Windows Central's Jez Corden to the article - it seems we could be getting a bunch of older Activision Blizzard titles on Game Pass very soon 🤞
I'm just listening to a podcast from a couple of years ago. And apparently, Microsoft was pushing for a console release of WOW, but Blizzard said no. I'm wondering if the merger was in part because of this, because a game like WOW included in Game Pass would be a major factor in gaining new subscribers, especially if it was on console.
I admin that I'm quite surprised that Microsoft manages to make quite good standalone sale money even from games included in Game Pass - e.g. by introducing "premium editions" with various perks, by issuing various DlCs/Passes, etc. Last but not least, non-Microsoft game remain in GPU for roughly one year, thus it makes additional money on gamers who haven't finished the game and must purchase it after it leaves (those gamers might not have even considered to play it without GPU, thus GPU servers as "one year demo" or advertisement).
Therefore I wouldn't be afraid that Microsoft won't ever put triple A games like Diablo IV to GPU because it's still worth it, but will not do it as "day one".
I'm not surprised that Microsoft wants to trickle out the Activision Blizzard games to draw out their appeal, but a lot of us are getting tired of the acquisition's drama and just want to see the titles on Game Pass wherever contracts don't prevent it. If they're looking to drag out their appeal they should look at improving games wherever possible on Xbox consoles, eg: Implementing local co-op in the Diablo II Remake.
Unless they're gonna add new BC 360 and or licensed games that expired, I'm not interested. In fact the only reason I hope it goes through otherwise is to stop seeing headlines about it.
@Dan1283 not my cup of tea but I see the logic in the older COD games as it opens up a bunch of older games/maps to play online.
StarCraft on console
Honestly, all I want is Singularity. That is literally it.
i could use the old cod campaigns, WoW, and starcraft on my xbox.
WoW first. i haven't played that in many years cause carpal tunnel.
Just release the entire Sierra catalog on Game Pass (minus maybe Leisure Suit Larry. While I think they are stupid fun, they are definitely considered "cringe" by modern standards).
Thanks!
Foolish to expect MW3 but i wouldn't be shocked if MW2 is on it within the next few months.
There will probably be a big shadow drop or 2 during the game awards is my guess
Lame. So lame.
What has even been the point of this stupid acquisition?
@NeutronBomb to give ms mobile gaming revenue. then they can buy the moon.
No Pitfall no deal. Any COD 2/COD Big Red One and such on Xbox BC I'll gladly.
Otherwise eh. If modern games a few months later/day one sure.... If Crash/Spyro then sure. Spyro 4 for sure I'd go for it.
I know Diablo 4 will be on Gamepass eventually, I know they will work with the current gen games but older eh both I don't think really care, licensing/source code complications aside. Historical or enough digital sales of the old (even in many may have their old disks lying around) to care even.
I just want Pitfall support the only title that was even on Xbox deserves to be played, a 3D Metroidvania and the last console entry then that mobile one in 2012 (some support and an Uncharted/Tomb Raider mature or Tad cartoony Pitfall game follow up or something).
An Activision Anthology support for any 2600 games on there. Oh wait that wasn't on Xbox..... Hmmm.... Well they could Atari 50/collectionify it if they wanted. I'd gladly pick that up. I bought Atari 50 for the Lynx/Jaguar games and enjoyed the 5200/7800 games besides the history. Either way never touched those systems but was still interested in the history and the games.
And I can easily go yep I can play older CODs on a modern Xbox not only the 360 ones mostly. Older eras of COD are great.
I'd like to buy Big Read One or COD 2 for Xbox. People that want them digital can and physical can be used if people have any.
I have very few OG Xbox titles or 360 games I bother to even use the enhancements for as already played most of them so any new adding I'm using the BC features more as have been with a few titles.
But...but...but...but...but everyone says game pass is the most amazing awesome best deal in gaming? No Diablo 4???
I’m not a huge fan, wouldn’t mind playing a little crash bandicoot or trying Diablo out. Bethesda was definitely their best get so far
@Echtzeit i am a hardcore Blizzard fan, yes even with some of their mistakes lately. I am over 500 hours into Diablo 4, it’s my favorite game franchise all time. But if WOW came out on Xbox, i would stop grinding D4 for a while and play WOW on Xbox. I played it a long time ago on my Mac, yes a Mac and it ran really really well. I enjoyed it to no end, but haven’t played in a decade. Would love to see this happen. It would be a big success for Xbox.
Wouldn't be surprised to see some older activision games on gamepass almost straight away, would be a good selling point for anyone looking to buy a series x or especially series s for Christmas
I love how when it comes to Xbox, people love to try and put a negative spin on things so quickly!
Of course the likes of MW3 and Diablo IV aren’t coming just yet.
Anyone who thought they were must have some seriously rose tinted glasses on!
There will be a load more games to play.
I never have gotten the hate for Game Pass tbh - It gives me access to a whole world of games and I still think it’s cracking value.
If Game Pass goes then Xbox goes. It would leave very little reason to be involved in the ecosystem sadly.
@BaldBelper78 And now I’ve managed to put a negative spin on it as well! Doh!
This is what being an Xbox owner does to you.
It’s like being a Spurs fan - so close to greatness but always miles away really.
It’s the hope that kills us!!
This isn't surprising at all for NEW titles. All their financial plans for those games, and marketing deals, have been based around sales. Going forward they will have to adapt their strategy for a subscription model.
I'd still expect to see a dump of older games added to Game Pass almost immediately.
I reckon they start putting their older titles on game pass bit by bit and then drop one of their newer games day 1 on game pass starting Nov 2024.
@Cherip-the-Ripper
Shoot people in Minecraft...right?
@GuyinPA75
Diablo 4 and COD had deals in place elsewhere before Microsoft acquired them. Just like Deathloop when Bethesda was acquired. So once those deals play out they will be added and the new entries will be added day one moving forward
I could see them putting Diablo II or III on Game Pass, to start things off. I don't expect to see WoW on the Xbox but perhaps an Xbox version of Warcraft is in the works.
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