The Inside Scoop: Unveiling Why Xbox Game Pass Subscribers Will Have to Wait for Activision Blizzard's Titles!

Highlights

The reason for the postponement of releasing Activision Blizzard games on Xbox Game Pass is the lack of certainty surrounding the acquisition, which was only officially confirmed during the final week of completion.

Microsoft has dismissed the possibility of surprise launches of Activision Blizzard games on Xbox Game Pass in the near future, disappointing fans. There is no clear timeline for when Activision Blizzard titles will be added to Xbox Game Pass, though a 2024 launch window has been mentioned without any additional information. Given the extensive catalog of Activision Blizzard, it is likely that the inclusion of their games on Xbox Game Pass will occur in multiple stages.

Following the completion of Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard on October 13, CEO Phil Spencer addressed the delay in bringing Activision Blizzard titles to Xbox Game Pass. This acquisition marks another significant gaming deal for Microsoft since their $7.5 billion purchase of ZeniMax Media in early 2021, which resulted in the swift inclusion of Bethesda's titles and other ZeniMax properties in Xbox Game Pass.

In contrast, it will take Activision Blizzard several months to make its catalog available on Xbox Game Pass. On October 9, the Call of Duty maker already acknowledged this delay. Xbox head Phil Spencer has now explained that the significant gap between the acquisition's closure and the expansion on Xbox Game Pass is due to the substantial "uncertainty" that persisted until the deal was finalized. During the latest episode of the Official Xbox Podcast, Spencer revealed that Microsoft wasn't certain about completing the deal until the very week it was finalized. Consequently, the process of incorporating Activision Blizzard's catalog into Xbox Game Pass only commenced in mid-October.

The Xbox chief had previously indicated that the deal with Activision Blizzard would not result in immediate additions to the Xbox Game Pass. Some fans had hoped for surprise launches, but Spencer has dismissed this possibility. When asked about when the Activision Blizzard game library might join the subscription service, Spencer did not provide a definite answer. He mentioned Activision Blizzard's 2024 launch window as a target but did not provide further details. Adding Activision Blizzard's games to Xbox Game Pass could potentially happen in stages, considering the size of the company's catalog. This would be an unprecedented move, but the entire transaction between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard was extraordinary in many ways.

The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft significantly increased their franchise portfolio, adding well-known properties like Call of Duty, Warcraft, Diablo, and Candy Crush Saga. Additionally, Microsoft now possesses dormant franchises such as Tony Hawk's and Guitar Hero. Spencer has previously hinted at the company's interest in reviving certain series as a result of the Activision Blizzard acquisition.