The recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft has raised questions among gamers about the availability of Diablo IV on Xbox Game Pass Day One. While the game is expected to release on various platforms, including PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, it remains uncertain whether it will be immediately available on Xbox Game Pass, a subscription-based service offering access to a library of games for a monthly fee.
This article seeks to provide an objective analysis of the situation, exploring Microsoft’s policies, the challenges of coordinating PC releases and platforms, and the concerns of regulatory bodies and Sony. By doing so, it aims to shed light on the likelihood of Diablo IV being on Xbox Game Pass Day One, providing gamers with the information they need to make informed decisions about their gaming choices.
Microsoft’s Acquisition and Policies
The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft and the latter’s policy of making all first-party games available on Xbox Game Pass Day One have significant implications for the availability of Diablo IV on the service.
If Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is completed by June 2023, there is a high probability that Diablo IV will be available on Xbox Game Pass soon after its release.
However, the deal between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard is currently under heavy regulatory scrutiny, which may delay the completion of the deal and the availability of Diablo IV on Xbox Game Pass.
Microsoft’s policy of making all first-party games available on Xbox Game Pass Day One is a significant factor in the availability of Diablo IV on the service.
This policy has been successful in attracting more subscribers to Xbox Game Pass, and it is expected to continue with the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
However, it is uncertain if Diablo IV will be available on Xbox Game Pass Day One, as the deal with Microsoft needs to be completed before the game can be added to the service.
Overall, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard has the potential to bring Diablo IV to Xbox Game Pass soon after its release, but the deal’s regulatory scrutiny may delay the process.
Availability on Different Platforms
Availability of Diablo IV on various platforms, including PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PS4, is confirmed for its release date on June 6th, 2022. Players will have the option to choose their preferred platform to play the game.
However, it is uncertain if Diablo IV will be available on Xbox Game Pass Day One. While Microsoft’s policy is to make all first-party games available on Xbox Game Pass Day One, the deal with Activision Blizzard needs to be completed before Diablo IV can be on Xbox Game Pass.
There may be some challenges in coordinating the release of Diablo IV on different platforms, especially on PC. Blizzard’s games are currently available on Battle.net, which is the home of Blizzard’s games on PC. As a result, Diablo IV will not be immediately available on PC Game Pass. It will take time for Microsoft and Blizzard to coordinate their PC releases and platforms.
Nevertheless, players can expect Diablo IV to be available on various platforms, and more information about its availability on Xbox Game Pass will be updated as it becomes available.
PC Release Coordination and Future Availability
Coordination of PC releases and platform integration between Microsoft and Blizzard may pose a challenge for the availability of Diablo IV on various PC gaming platforms. Blizzard’s games are currently exclusive to Battle.net, which is owned and operated by the company. This means that any PC releases of Diablo IV would need to be worked out with Microsoft and integrated into the Xbox Game Pass for PC, or potentially released through other platforms like Steam.
It is also uncertain how long this coordination process could take, as both Microsoft and Blizzard have their own schedules and priorities. While it is possible that Diablo IV could eventually be available on Xbox Game Pass for PC, it may not be available on Day One like it is for consoles.
However, as Microsoft and Blizzard continue to work together, it is likely that more information about the availability of Diablo IV on PC gaming platforms will become available.