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Activision Blizzard Games Coming to Game Pass After Microsoft Acquisition

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Microsoft posted a blog post sharing their view on the Activision Blizzard acquisition. They also revealed that Overwatch, Diablo, Call of Duty, Candy Crush, and Starcraft, are coming to the Game Pass.

The largest and fastest-growing gaming segment is mobile platforms. Microsoft is expanding choice in two ways: through the creation of Game Pass, which gives players a subscription option and by bringing more games to mobile platforms.

Developing mobile games requires new capabilities and the expertise that the teams at Activision Blizzard bring in developing mobile games will help Microsoft understand how to create games that engage players around the world.

The most important portion confirms that multiple Activision Blizzard titles will become part of the Game Pass, Diablo 4 potentially on Day 1.

"We intend to make Activision Blizzard’s much-loved library of games – including Overwatch, Diablo, and Call of Duty – available in Game Pass and to grow those gaming communities. By delivering even more value to players, we hope to continue growing Game Pass, extending its appeal to mobile phones and any connected device."

Phil Spencer 

CEO of Microsoft Gaming

Even though World of Warcraft wasn't specifically mentioned by Phil Spencer in the blog post, it's shown in the header image. At this time, we do not know if WoW will be included in the Game Pass.

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SourceReddit + Microsoft

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22 minutes ago, Stan said:

The largest and fastest-growing gaming segment is mobile platforms.

That makes me feel like retired and I'm not even 30 yet. If present and future of gaming is p2w then gotta look for new hobby.

Edited by Kaelos
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6 minutes ago, Kaelos said:

That makes me feel like retired and I'm not even 30 yet. If present and future of gaming is p2w then gotta look for new hobby.

Mobile gaming is a blight upon humanity.

One step up from slot machines with no payout.

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18 minutes ago, Prophet001 said:

Mobile gaming is a blight upon humanity.

One step up from slot machines with no payout.

Which is why they do it....it makes them LOADS of profit from the morons that spend money for everything, i mean, the most i do is xp boost items or in wow's terms, wow tokens......not so much anything else, unless they offer a mount that looks AWESOME.

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On 9/1/2022 at 4:06 PM, Lithari said:

Which is why they do it....it makes them LOADS of profit from the morons that spend money for everything, i mean, the most i do is xp boost items or in wow's terms, wow tokens......not so much anything else, unless they offer a mount that looks AWESOME.

imagine complaining about p2w when you buy wow tokens

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8 hours ago, toobig4u said:

imagine complaining about p2w when you buy wow tokens

WoW tokens are totally different, would i be ticked off if they removed them entirely? nah, i only get wow tokens every 6 months or so, it depends on how many bags i buy and give out to friends that are new to the game, also wow tokens have a two-fold benefit, it gives me, depending on the value of it on the realm at the time, but has been as high as 600k gold, but those that buy it, get a month sub.....so its a win-win, if they added items like endgame tokens for money......HELL NO!

I could do the gathering, but i just got fed up with competing with other players and then getting moaned at by GMs for not giving way to lower level players......despite being in Chromie Time and being level 45.......anyway, i just got fed up with constant crying, constant GM bitching, so i thought why not spend an extra £15 every 6 month or so, to get the wow token to avoid all that grief entirely.....it does wonders for my mood, i can assure you.

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You may think things like tokens are okay based on your own criteria, but the company doesnt receive your intentions with your money. End result is the same whether you justify it or not.

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On 9/1/2022 at 7:40 AM, Kaelos said:

That makes me feel like retired and I'm not even 30 yet. If present and future of gaming is p2w then gotta look for new hobby.

     I absolutely believe that the mobile market will continue to grow - it'll probably grow by a very large degree.  A lot of people just like the convenience of "on the go" gaming and some still just don't have the money (or justification to use it on) a desktop.  As long as there is a willing playerbase out there that will partake in mobile platform it will continue to grow as developers continue to push the limits of taking advantage of it, no matter what the monetization model is.  As players we see that as greed, but as a business they might see it as....  well, a business.  I believe there is a moral compass in that regard that is going in crazy, spaztic directions.

     On the other hand I do not believe mobile gaming will ever overcome PC gaming.  It might feel like it so some degree as another platform blows up so quickly, especially with its accessibility, but the vast majority of PC players will still be PC players - maybe PC players AND mobile players, but still PC players none the less.

     In either case, P2W is a choice.  I mean, obviously people don't have to play that monetization model, but equally as obvious (at least to me) there are lots of people out there that DO play that model.  I don't suspect there are players out there that excited and say "Yes! X game is going to be P2W!!", but there are plenty of players that participate and contribute to them with little to no complaint.

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On 9/3/2022 at 11:18 PM, wetsocks said:

You may think things like tokens are okay based on your own criteria, but the company doesnt receive your intentions with your money. End result is the same whether you justify it or not.

So, exactly what is the end result? Do you feel the so called 'received intentions' justify the soap box your standing on? I could ask the question here, do you yourself purchase Wow Tokens? and of course your reply will be no and then the next question is, do you even play Wow? Because if you do, then you've purchased, without a doubt you have. So then, what is your criteria concerning this subject?

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On 9/5/2022 at 10:22 PM, Adcap486 said:

So, exactly what is the end result? Do you feel the so called 'received intentions' justify the soap box your standing on? I could ask the question here, do you yourself purchase Wow Tokens? and of course your reply will be no and then the next question is, do you even play Wow? Because if you do, then you've purchased, without a doubt you have. So then, what is your criteria concerning this subject?

Someone buys tokens despite fueling a "pay to win" mentality. People will justify it by saying they buy them with a certain attitude. This justification that you make when you buy the token does not translate to the company. They do not receive the order with your intentions, they receive the money. That is the end result. When they see the transactions take place they are not concerning yourself with why these tokens are being sold only that the tokens are being sold. My take is that the people purchasing tokens with reservations will justify it to themselves, but that's as far as your reasoning will go. The company does not understand that you are buying the tokens or any other "P2W" mechanisms with reservations. It makes it easier for you to buy them, but in the end they still get your money. Try not being so mad to people on the internet. Text will not always convey what people are alluding to and your interpretation of our words do not always reflect our intentions.

My history with blizzard games and even just WoW itself is extensive as I am sure yours is. How you perceive the token mechanism is up to you. I have seen similar behavior and reasoning from players over the years concerning things like the token, preordering, etc. There are times where we as players are telling ourselves "I'll buy it for X or Y, but only because..." This is irrelevant to the company as they only see the movement of the token and the money for it and not your intentions that you justify this purchase so gingerly with. Maybe you enjoy every purchase of the token, that's fine. I do not want to give the company money for a service that I have to trick myself into making.

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