Diablo IV Makes Its Way to Xbox Game Pass, Marking Activision Blizzard’s First Post-Acquisition Launch

March 28th marks a new chapter for Xbox Game Pass subscribers as Diablo IV, one of last year’s biggest hits, rolls out on the service, becoming the first Activision Blizzard game to do so following the high-profile acquisition by Microsoft. Phil Spencer, Microsoft Gaming CEO, earlier hinted that fan favorites such as Call of Duty wouldn’t make an appearance on the platform until 2024, making Diablo IV’s arrival a particularly noteworthy launch. With 34 million subscribers eager to delve into its dark, immersive world, the inclusion of Diablo IV signals the beginning of more Activision Blizzard titles enriching the Game Pass catalogue.

The company’s broader vision entails cross-platform extensions for Xbox exclusives to Nintendo and PlayStation, and reassurances of continuous value through Game Pass in spite of the gaming studio’s recent workforce reductions and leadership revamps.

New Horizon for Call of Duty Under Microsoft’s Wing

Looking beyond the realm of dungeon crawling, Xbox anticipates the introduction of a new addition to the Call of Duty franchise this fall. Treyarch leads the charge with an expected Black Ops Gulf War installment, sparking curiosity among fans for a fresh narrative set in the ’90s. Despite criticisms surrounding recent titles—like the brevity and content of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s campaign—the series maintains its commercial stronghold. Spencer’s recent internal remarks to employees confirm a pivotal October release for 2024’s Call of Duty, bearing the potential of being the first of the series to receive Microsoft’s full developmental influence post-acquisition.

Coining a franchise renown for its consistency, the annual release pattern is set to continue, with Treyarch’s version carrying the legacy forward. The gaming community is on standby for official reveals and in-game event tie-ins, maintaining the engrossing tradition of Warzone collaborations. Will this year’s refreshed approach resonate with the dynamic demands of Call of Duty aficionados? Only time will tell.