Summary
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer offered an explanation for why Activision Blizzard titles will take a while to reachXbox Game Pass. Their arrival to the subscription service was set in stone on October 13, whenMicrosoft officially completed its Activision Blizzard acquisition.
The last time Microsoft closed such a high-profile gaming deal was back in early 2021, when the company acquired ZeniMax Media to the tune of $7.5 billion. The majority ofBethesda’s titles and other ZeniMax properties hit Xbox Game Passwithin days of that transaction being finalized.
In contrast,Activision Blizzard will take months to bring its catalog to Xbox Game Pass, with theCall of Dutymaker already saying as much on October 9. Spencer now clarified that this large gap between the acquisition’s closure and the related Xbox Game Pass expansion comes down to the immense “uncertainty” that followed the deal all the way to the finish line. During the latest episode of theOfficial Xbox Podcast, the executive revealed that Microsoft wasn’t positive it would be able to close the deal until the very week of its completion. As a result, the work on bringing Activision Blizzard’s catalog to Xbox Game Pass only truly began in mid-October.
And though the Xbox chief already communicated as much while welcoming Activision Blizzard to Microsoft’s growing studio family, some fans were still speculating that the deal’s closure could yield at least some new Xbox Game Pass arrivals in the immediate future as a sort of celebratory additions commemorating the occasion. Spencer now outright dismissed the possibility of such surprise launches, stating that he would “be straight with people” if something like that was on the cards.
Asked about a realistic time frame for when the Activision Blizzard game library might finally reach Microsoft’s subscription service, Spencer remained non-committal. Specifically, he pointed to Activision Blizzard’s recent mention of a 2024 launch window as an “accurate” target, without elaborating on the matter. Given the sheer size of the company’s catalog, it’s possible thatXbox Game Passwill add Activision Blizzard’s titles in stages. Although doing so would be a fairly unprecedented move, it’s not like any other aspect of the $68.7 billion transaction was anything but extraordinary; from its overall value to the amount of regulatory pushback it generated, the deal was as historic of a gaming industry acquisition as they come.
The blockbusterbuyout of Activision Blizzard expanded Microsoft’s franchise portfoliowith quite a few famous properties, includingCall of Duty,Warcraft,Diablo, andCandy Crush Saga. Microsoft is now also the owner of some long-dormant properties such asTony Hawk’sandGuitar Hero, with Spencer previously hinting that the company is already eyeing a few series revivals enabled by the Activision Blizzard acquisition.
