Call of Duty, Diablo and Overwatch have been confirmed for Game Pass

The proposed $68.7 billion Microsoft/Activision Blizzard merger may be under fire at the moment, with Sony saying the exclusivity of such franchises as Call of Duty would give the Xbox makers an “unfair advantage” and the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) asserting that they are “concerned that having full control over this powerful catalogue, especially in light of Microsoft’s already strong position in gaming consoles, operating systems, and cloud infrastructure, could result in Microsoft harming consumers by impairing Sony’s – Microsoft’s closest gaming rival – ability to compete,” but Microsoft is planning for the post-acquisition future despite the noise.

In fact, Xbox head Phil Spencer has named three marquee Activision Blizzard titles to be included on Microsoft’s monthly gaming subscription service specifically: Call of Duty, Diablo and Overwatch have been confirmed for Game Pass.

Activision Blizzard

“We are 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, including through our cloud game streaming technology,” Spencer said in a statement issued on Thursday.

“Subscription services like Game Pass make gaming more affordable and help players from all over the world find their next favorite game. Game Pass empowers developers to bring more games to more players, not fewer.

“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.”

Pictured in the featured image from Phil Spencer’s statement are three other big name titles which we assume will be available at some point if the Microsoft/Activision Blizzard merger goes through: the most popular MMORPG of all time, World of Warcraft, which has over 117 million subscribers nearly 15 years after its release; the beloved military-science fiction real time strategy series Starcraft and the seemingly omnipresent puzzle mobile game Candy Crush.

Activision Blizzard

Although Call of Duty, Diablo and Overwatch have been confirmed for Game Pass, Spencer has given no timetable as to when these games might become available, which makes sense, given the Microsoft/Activision Blizzard has yet to be made official.

What do you think of the news that Call of Duty, Diablo and Overwatch have been confirmed for Game Pass? Would these games make you purchase a Game Pass subscription if you haven’t already? Sound off in the comments.