Microsoft’s pending acquisition of Activision-Blizzard may affect the availability of Blizzard’s upcoming game, Diablo 4, specifically regarding it potentially coming to Xbox Game Pass. 11 years have passed since Diablo 3‘s 2012 launch and the new game is said to have an even darker and more sinister story to captivate players. Blizzard has already confirmed that Diablo 4 will be on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One in addition to other platforms, but early looks at the game did not clarify whether it will be on Xbox Game Pass.Diablo 4 will be released this summer on June 6, 2023. While the Microsoft acquisition deal may not have completed by the time the game launches, it should be completed soon thereafter within the summer months. With Microsoft owning Xbox, it would make sense that this takeover would lead to Blizzard titles being added to the Xbox Game Pass library, but the timing makes the likelihood of Diablo 4 as a launch day title for Game Pass less plausible.Related: Diablo IV Hands-On Preview: Lilith’s Return Is A Welcome One
Currently, There Are No Plans To Add Diablo 4 To Xbox Game Pass
According to a recent tweet from Rod Fergusson, the general manager for the Diablo brand, there are no current plans to include Diablo 4 on Xbox Game Pass. Most likely the biggest reason for this is the fact that the Microsoft acquisition is not yet complete. Current speculations are forecasting the takeover’s legal deliberations to extend into August 2023.
Where & How To Play Diablo 4
While it will not be included in the Xbox Game Pass library yet, it may still happen in the future. For now, though, Diablo 4 is entering open beta for anyone who has pre-purchased the game. It is available for pre-purchase for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One and this will provide players with a sneak peek of the game during an early access beta weekend beginning on March 17, and running through March 20. Those who don’t feel inclined to pre-order will have to wait until the regular open beta, which starts March 24, and ends March 27.
The original Diablo game was released in 1997 and the franchise has held a loyal following ever since, with many fans eagerly anticipating this continuation of the story. Diablo 4 is to take place after the events of Diablo 3‘s aftermath and Blizzard has said that developers are drawing inspiration from each of the prior games. Though there are still some months before the official launch, alpha tests of Diablo 4 received positive responses, and more are expected with the upcoming Beta Early Access weekend.
