The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard on October 13, 2023, so the deal’s once-conditional Game Pass plans became a staged rollout. Xbox’s first named addition was Diablo IV on March 28, 2024, followed by several announced titles through November. The announcements covered selected games—not every Activision Blizzard title—and access varied by plan and platform.
When did the Microsoft deal close?
Microsoft announced on October 13, 2023 that it had completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard King and said work was beginning to bring the company’s franchises to Game Pass and other platforms. The original “if the deal closes” condition was therefore resolved before the 2024 game announcements. Microsoft’s announcement of the completed acquisition.
Which Activision Blizzard games did Xbox announce for Game Pass in 2024?
Xbox announced a selection of arrivals between March and November. The following timeline reflects those dated announcements; it is not a complete list of the 2024 Game Pass catalog.
| Date | Game | Announced plans and platforms |
|---|---|---|
| March 28, 2024 | Diablo IV | Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass for Console. Xbox’s March 19 announcement listed console and PC. Xbox’s March announcement. |
| July 24, 2024 | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III | Console, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Ultimate. Xbox’s announcement. |
| August 8, 2024 | Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy | Cloud, console, and PC. Xbox’s announcement. |
| October 25, 2024 | Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 | Day-one availability on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Xbox’s launch guide listed Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net; Steam and Battle.net are listed platforms, not Game Pass plan names. Xbox’s launch guide. |
| November 5, 2024 | StarCraft: Remastered and StarCraft II: Campaign Collection | PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate. Xbox’s announcement. |
What did Xbox promise beyond those dates?
On February 15, 2024, Xbox named Diablo IV as the first Activision Blizzard game coming to Game Pass and described a broader commitment that included new releases as well as classic catalog games. The article said Xbox Game Pass had 34 million subscribers; that was the company’s figure reported on that date, not a current subscriber count. Xbox’s February 15 announcement.
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That broad commitment should not be read as a schedule for every Activision Blizzard game. The 2024 announcements named specific titles and dates, but do not establish that the entire legacy catalog arrived during the year.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should players check before subscribing for a game?
“On Game Pass” does not identify one universal form of access. Plan eligibility and supported platforms differed among the announcements, and cloud access was specified for Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy but not uniformly for every title. Confirm the game’s current listing, available plan, platform, and regional availability in the Xbox catalog before subscribing; these historical announcements do not establish today’s catalog status.
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Game Pass access is subscription access, not ownership of a copy. Players who prefer to own a game can consider buying it separately, but a purchase is optional and is not required to play a title through an eligible subscription while it remains available there.
Quick Recap
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- DISCOVER 50+ GAMES — Explore a curated library of more than 50 games playable across XBOX consoles, PC, and supported devices, with new favorites ready to discover.
- PLAY ACROSS YOUR FAVORITE DEVICES — Enjoy included games across supported XBOX consoles, PC, and other compatible devices for more ways to play wherever you are.
- PLAY TOGETHER ONLINE — Connect with friends and communities with online console multiplayer included with XBOX Game Pass Essential.
- STREAM WITH XBOX CLOUD GAMING — Enjoy up to 5 hours of cloud playtime per month and stream supported games to compatible devices with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
- EARN REWARDS WHILE YOU PLAY — Earn Rewards points by playing games, completing eligible activities, and shopping in the Store with your XBOX Game Pass membership.
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- GAME PASS ULTIMATE: Play new games on day one, and enjoy hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud. Game Pass Ultimate also includes online console multiplayer, EA Play, and other great member benefits.
- SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: From fast-paced action and adventure to timeless classics, family-friendly games, innovative indie titles, brain-teasing puzzles, immersive roleplaying adventures, and intense shooters. Dive into a world where every gamer can find their next favorite game.
- NEW GAMES ON DAY ONE: Enjoy incredible new games on day one from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and more. Play The Outer Worlds 2, NINJA GAIDEN 4, and High on Life 2 as soon as they are released.
- ONLINE CONSOLE MULTIPLAYER: Tap into the heart of the Xbox community and join millions of players ready to play together. Online console multiplayer is included with Game Pass Ultimate.
- EA PLAY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED: Jump into Battlefield, STAR WARS, and other great game franchises with EA Play. Included at no extra cost, members get access to a collection of EA’s best-loved games, in-game rewards, and trials of select new games.
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