When Can We Expect Call of Duty to Join Game Pass?

The gaming world is buzzing with excitement as Microsoft inches closer to finalizing its acquisition of Activision Blizzard for a staggering $68.7 billion. This merger is set to redefine the gaming landscape, granting Microsoft ownership of a treasure trove of iconic gaming franchises. Among these, the Call of Duty series stands out as one of the most sought-after additions to the Xbox and PC Game Pass subscription services. In this article, we delve into the details to answer the burning question: When will Call of Duty make its debut on Game Pass?

The Status Quo

As of now, we have some partial answers to this pressing question. Activision Blizzard, in an attempt to clear the air and stave off speculation surrounding the impending merger, has confirmed that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and another highly-anticipated 2023 release, Diablo 4, will not be making their way to Game Pass in the current year. However, the company has exciting plans to start adding games to Game Pass in 2024.

In a statement released by Activision Blizzard on social media, they stated, "While we do not have plans to include Modern Warfare III or Diablo IV in Game Pass this year, once the deal is sealed, we expect to collaborate with Xbox to make our titles accessible to a broader audience worldwide. We anticipate the inclusion of games in Game Pass at some point next year."

Reading Between the Lines

Though Activision Blizzard's statement doesn't explicitly guarantee that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Diablo 4 will arrive on Game Pass in 2024, it certainly doesn't rule out the possibility either. The gaming community can make educated guesses based on this statement and previous acquisitions by Microsoft.

The Bethesda Precedent

A significant point of reference is Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media, which included Bethesda. Shortly after that deal's completion in March 2021, Microsoft swiftly began incorporating Bethesda games into Game Pass. The initial offering consisted of 20 titles, primarily focusing on older games from their catalog. Bethesda's new releases, like Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo, initially had exclusive agreements with PlayStation. It took until this year for Bethesda games to debut on Game Pass simultaneously with their release, featuring titles like Hi-Fi Rush, Redfall, and Starfield.

While Activision Blizzard won't be moving quite as rapidly, it's reasonable to expect the inclusion of older Call of Duty titles, potentially including the previous two Modern Warfare games, to Game Pass in early 2024. Recent releases may need to wait a bit longer.

Factors to Consider

The timeline for introducing Call of Duty titles to Game Pass isn't solely influenced by the acquisition. Activision Blizzard maintains marketing partnerships and strategic schedules that impact the release of these titles. For instance, Modern Warfare 3 has a marketing deal with Sony, which could delay its appearance on Game Pass for six months to a year. Additionally, Call of Duty games traditionally adhere to an annual schedule. This may influence Microsoft's timing for adding them to Game Pass, possibly coinciding with the release of next year's installment.

What About Other Activision Blizzard Titles?

Beyond Call of Duty, gamers are eager to know when other beloved titles like Diablo, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch will join Game Pass.

Diablo 4

Diablo 4 is unlikely to make an immediate jump to Game Pass, primarily due to the absence of a PlayStation marketing partnership. Still, it might arrive sooner than Modern Warfare 3. Previous Diablo titles such as Diablo 3 and Diablo 2: Resurrected could become early additions to Game Pass for subscribers, providing a nostalgic gaming experience.

World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft, a massively multiplayer game with a dedicated following, is gearing up for its 20th anniversary in 2024. However, it continues to sustain a robust player base, all of whom pay a monthly subscription to access the game. Microsoft faces a challenging decision here, as adding WoW to Game Pass would impact this revenue stream. The inclusion of World of Warcraft in Game Pass remains uncertain, and it may not be part of the initial wave of additions.

Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2, being a free-to-play game, presents a different scenario. While it's less relevant in terms of revenue considerations, Game Pass subscribers have already received perks for the game, such as immediate hero unlocks. Further enhancements for Overwatch 2 could potentially find their way to Game Pass early in 2024.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the arrival of Call of Duty and other Activision Blizzard titles on Game Pass is imminent but still shrouded in a degree of uncertainty. As we eagerly await the completion of the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard merger, it's clear that these additions will reshape the gaming experience for millions of players around the world. While the precise timeline for each game's inclusion may vary, it's safe to say that the gaming community has much to look forward to in the coming years. Keep your controllers ready and your gaming skills sharp; the future of Game Pass is poised for greatness.