Game Pass is one of the most significant assets of Xbox, and it contributes to the overall success of the platform. There are a total of 3 tiers of the service on consoles, and among them, Game Pass Ultimate is the most popular.
Around 70-80% of Game Pass users have subscribed to the highest tier. Following Microsoft’s ongoing acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a report hints that the Activision games will be exclusive to Game Pass Ultimate.
Why it matters: This could set a new precedent for future first-party titles. It would also take away from the affordability of the service for users who were looking forward to Activision’s catalog.
The European Commission’s report says:
“Post-Transaction, Activision Blizzard’s games will likely be included in Game Pass Ultimate only.”
Previously, Microsoft has released all of its first-party games on the standard tier of Game Pass on consoles. This tier is currently priced at $10.99, making it $6 cheaper than the highest tier.
However, Activision Blizzard’s offerings are expected to become the exception to the rule. This could be due to the popularity and value of Activision IPs compared to the rest of Microsoft’s offerings.
It also begs the question of the fate of Game Pass on PC. Microsoft only offers a single tier on the PC platform, but it costs less than Game Pass Ultimate. In this scenario, PC users could gain access to Activision titles at a cheaper rate.
Following the massive Activision Blizzard merger, Microsoft will secure the Call of Duty IP. As such, the entire franchise is expected to arrive on the subscription soon, but the latest report suggests it will not be part of the cheaper tiers.
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[News Reporter]
Obaid is pursuing a Law degree, while working as a content writer. He has worked as a gaming writer for over a year because of his passion for the medium and reporting the latest updates in the industry. Having played hundreds of games, Obaid finds himself coming back to Elden Ring and Red Dead Redemption 2, with these games being among his favorites. He has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as Wccftech, Metro UK, PS Lifestyle, GamePressure, VGC, and Gamespot.
