Diablo IV, the latest installment in Blizzard Entertainment’s acclaimed action RPG franchise, has been eagerly awaited by gamers worldwide since its announcement.
One common question that prospective players have is whether Diablo IV will be available on Xbox’s Game Pass, Microsoft’s subscription-based service that offers access to a library of games for a monthly fee.
Below, we’ll explain all of this so you’re clued up as to whether you’ll need to make a separate purchase of the game.
Diablo 4 Game Pass Explained
As of now, Diablo IV is not available on Game Pass. Players looking forward to embarking on a journey through Sanctuary must purchase the game separately. This is in line with Blizzard’s traditional business model of selling their games as standalone products.
However, the landscape of the gaming industry might be on the verge of a significant change, as Microsoft announced in 2022 its intent to acquire Activision Blizzard.
This acquisition, if completed, would make Microsoft the owner of several popular franchises, including Diablo.
Microsoft has been very proactive in adding value to its Game Pass subscription, with the service already boasting a wide array of games from many different developers and publishers.
It’s no secret that Microsoft has added all of their first-party titles to Game Pass on day one of release. Therefore, if the Activision Blizzard deal is approved, it is quite likely that Diablo IV would instantly become available on Game Pass.
However, while the prospect is exciting, it is important to note that this is speculative. The completion of the Activision Blizzard deal is subject to various regulatory approvals and may face opposition from various quarters, including workers’ unions and antitrust regulators.
In conclusion, while Diablo IV is not currently available on Game Pass, the proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft may pave the way for it to become part of the service.
This could potentially change the way players access and experience this highly anticipated game, offering a more flexible and cost-effective way to dive into the dark world of Sanctuary. For now, though, Diablo fans will have to watch this space and wait for official announcements.
