The Nvidia GeForce Now library now includes popular games from Activision Blizzard, such as Diablo 4 and recent Call of Duty titles. This is just the beginning of the new content coming to the platform in March 2024, with nearly twenty more games confirmed to be added.
In 2023, Microsoft worked on finalizing their acquisition of Activision Blizzard by signing content licensing agreements with various streaming platforms. This was done to show European regulators that they were not trying to dominate the cloud gaming market by keeping games like Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox Cloud Gaming. Nvidia was one of the platforms that agreed to these terms and even supported Microsoft during the acquisition process.
New GeForce NOW Games for Late February and March 2024
Less than a year later, the collaboration between GeForce NOW and Battle.net started to show results for users. In a February 29 update, GeForce NOW added support for select Battle.net titles. The first batch of additions includes popular games like Diablo 4, Hearthstone, and Overwatch 2. Additionally, users can now stream Call of Duty titles such as Modern Warfare 2, Modern Warfare 3, and Warzone through the Call of Duty HQ app.
Microsoft has started fulfilling its promise to make Call of Duty games available on GeForce Now. The company had committed to keeping the popular FPS franchise on Nvidia's streaming service for ten years. With the recent addition of Battle.net integration, GeForce NOW now supports a total of six platforms, including Steam, GOG, and Ubisoft Connect. While Nvidia has not confirmed if more Battle.net titles will be added, their history of integrating different storefronts suggests that it is a possibility.
GeForce NOW Shows Support for Battle.net
In a broader sense, this move by Nvidia suggests that Battle.net is here to stay for the foreseeable future. There were concerns that Microsoft, after acquiring Activision Blizzard in mid-October 2023, might decide to close down Battle.net and focus on its own store. However, Nvidia's decision to integrate Battle.net with its cloud gaming platform indicates that Microsoft may have assured them that Battle.net will remain operational.
Nvidia's latest GeForce NOW update now includes support for new games like Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster, Space Engineers from Xbox Game Pass, Fort Solis, and Welcome to ParadiZe. Plus, they plan to add at least 22 more titles to their streaming service throughout March.
Editor's P/S:
The integration of Activision Blizzard games into the Nvidia GeForce Now library is a significant development for the cloud gaming market. It not only expands the range of titles available to GeForce Now users but also demonstrates the growing collaboration between Microsoft and Nvidia. Microsoft's commitment to keeping Call of Duty on GeForce Now for ten years is a testament to its recognition of the importance of cloud gaming and its willingness to work with other platforms.
Furthermore, the move suggests that Battle.net, the gaming platform owned by Activision Blizzard, will continue to operate under Microsoft's ownership. Nvidia's support for Battle.net integration into GeForce NOW indicates that Microsoft may have assured the company that Battle.net will remain operational, allaying concerns that it might be phased out in favor of Microsoft's own store. This is positive news for gamers, as it ensures that they will continue to have access to their beloved Battle.net titles on a variety of platforms.