Diablo IV Won't Be Available on Xbox Game Pass or PC Game Pass

pcmag.com:

Anyone who subscribes to Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass or PC Game Pass may be disappointed to hear Diablo IV will not be available on either service.

As IGN reports(Opens in a new window), Activision Blizzard executive Rod Ferguson confirmed that the next entry in the Diablo series will be a premium game you'll need to purchase to play. In a tweet(Opens in a new window) Fergusson said, "We’ve been getting some questions about D4 on Game Pass and I want to let you know we have no plans for that."

With Microsoft determined to acquire Activision Blizzard and therefore gain complete control over the Diablo IP, it's safe to assume Diablo IV will appear on Game Pass eventually. However, Activision Blizzard remains independent until Microsoft has cleared all the regulatory hurdles, and the company has clearly opted against jumping on the subscription service.

If and when the acquisition is completed, Diablo IV will no doubt appear on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass pretty swiftly. That could be several months away, though, assuming Microsoft is able to overcome the FTC's lawsuit, successfully counter Sony's objections, and convince the UK watchdog it shouldn't have to sell Call of Duty for the deal to go ahead.

Diablo IV is set to launch on June 6, and while there is a Limited Collector's Box edition, it doesn't include a copy of the game. Anyone who has opted to pre-purchase is in for treat this weekend, though, as early access to the open beta(Opens in a new window) is available from March 17-19 where players will have a chance to "intimately explore the early game."

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