Call of Duty, Diablo, Overwatch Will Come to Game Pass

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As Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard continues to go through approval processes, we’re learning more about what the deal means moving forward.

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Phil Spencer talked today on the Microsoft blog to discuss what a finalized deal means for gamers. The highlight is the inclusion of several key Activision Blizzard franchises arriving on Xbox Game Pass.

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Spencer also reinforces that future releases of Call of Duty will be available on multiple platforms. This includes same-day releases for Xbox, PC, PlayStation, and other applicable platforms. The newest Call of Duty entry, Modern Warfare II, will release on October 28th for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Microsoft Windows.

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Spencer also discusses anticipated delays in the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard agreement. GamesIndustry.biz stated that the Competition and Markets Authority said the acquisition may damage UK competition. Microsoft's future dominance of Call of Duty, Candy Crush, and World of Warcraft might harm consumers by impeding Sony's ability to compete.

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This is consistent with what Sony said about the deal when they were asked about it. Ubisoft, Warner Bros., Bandai Namco, and Riot Games all either remained silent about the acquisition or expressed confidence that it would not reduce competition in their respective markets.

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Phil Spencer commented on the blog post regarding concerns about the pending deal. "We will continue to engage with regulators with a spirit of transparency and openness as they review this acquisition. We respect and welcome the hard questions that are being asked. The gaming industry today is robust and dynamic."

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"Industry leaders, including Tencent and Sony, continue to expand their deep and extensive libraries of games as well as other entertainment brands and franchises, which are enjoyed by players everywhere. We believe that a thorough review will show that the combination of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard will benefit the industry and players.”

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Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard comes amid sexism, misogyny, and mistreatment charges. Raven Software QA developers created the first video game union. Activision hasn't recognized Phil Spencer's union, but Microsoft has.

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Tons More Epic Game Reviews

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