Activision Blizzard’s title will debut on Game Pass in 2024

Activision Blizzard has announced a delay in its plans to introduce blockbuster titles to the Xbox Game Pass, pushing the debut to 2024.

In a recent announcement, Activision Blizzard confirmed a shift in their plans for bringing games to the Xbox Game Pass subscription service. The eagerly awaited addition of titles like “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” in 2023 has been pushed back to 2024. This development comes as Microsoft’s acquisition of the gaming giant edges closer to completion.

With nearly all regulatory hurdles cleared, both Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are poised to finalize their deal, which was originally set to conclude by October 18. However, as the deadline approaches, the official word is that gamers will have to wait a bit longer before experiencing these blockbuster titles on the popular subscription platform.

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…

— Activision Blizzard (@ATVI_AB) October 9, 2023

 

Activision Blizzard stated, “While we do not have plans to put Modern Warfare 3 or Diablo 4 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 some time in the course of next year.”

What to expect in 2024

The specifics regarding which titles will be introduced to Game Pass in 2024 have not been revealed. It remains uncertain whether the lineup will consist of new releases, classic titles from the Activision catalog, or a combination of both. Notably, new Call of Duty releases will not be Game Pass exclusives, as Microsoft and PlayStation have reached an agreement to maintain the series on Sony’s platform after the merger.

It is likely that the promised titles coming “next year” will not include brand-new Call of Duty releases. The existing Sony/Call of Duty partnership extends until 2024, making it improbable for a new game in the series to launch as a “day one” Game Pass release before 2025 at the earliest.

This delay in bringing Activision’s games to Xbox Game Pass has left gamers and industry observers pondering the timeline and implications of Microsoft’s acquisition. Speculation has been rife regarding the deal’s impending closure, coinciding with the imminent release of “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.” The delay also marks the potential conclusion of a turbulent chapter in the gaming industry, marred by controversies surrounding working conditions at Activision Blizzard’s studios.

While the exact titles slated for addition remain a matter of speculation, potential Game Pass inclusions encompass not only Call of Duty titles but also beloved franchises from Blizzard, including Diablo and Overwatch, as well as classics like Tony Hawk’s games, Warcraft, Crash Bandicoot, StarCraft, and Guitar Hero.

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