In October 2023, Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, leading to the departure of the latter company’s CEO by the end of the year. This year, we anticipate seeing how Activision Blizzard functions when fully integrated into Microsoft. The most immediate change for gamers is expected to be the addition of Activision Blizzard titles to Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s subscription service.
Microsoft and Activision have elaborated that due to the challenges encountered during the acquisition, the addition of Xbox Game Pass content was not immediately possible, unlike with ZeniMax Media. However, in the coming months, we can anticipate seeing Activision Blizzard games gradually introduced to the service, even though it may not happen during this week’s Developer_Direct. As one of the oldest game publishers, with hundreds of titles released, there is a wide selection of games to choose from. Below are some of the titles I’m most looking forward to seeing.
Diablo IV
Diablo IV is expected to be the first Activision Blizzard game to come to Microsoft’s gaming subscription service. While I already own the game, I believe this lengthy RPG would be a fantastic addition to the service for several reasons. RPGs are an ideal fit for Game Pass as they offer tremendous value to the subscription and eliminate the risk of players spending money on a lengthy game they may not enjoy. Having Diablo IV on Game Pass would also simplify setting up multiplayer games with friends, as there would be no need to purchase the game. Xbox Cloud Gaming can provide a portable option outside the niche handheld PC space. When Microsoft adds Activision games to Xbox Game Pass, expect Diablo IV to be a highlight.
