It's been eight months since Microsoft closed the $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, following a lengthy legal battle with regulators worldwide.
Given that Microsoft had touted early on its intention to bring Activision Blizzard to its Game Pass subscription service, arguably the most important pillar of its gaming strategy, Xbox fans expected this to happen in relatively short order, but that wasn't the case. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer explained at the time:
Frankly, there was a lot of uncertainty in that process up until really a week before we closed, or the week of, when the CMA finally came down to their decision, that we weren't able to get on that back catalog work. So now that the deal is closed, we're starting that work.
But there is work. And I think the Activision Twitter handle did put out a statement that talked about 2024. I think that's accurate. I would love it if there was some kind of secret celebration drop coming in the next couple of weeks. There's not.
Definitely, when we think about the new games that are there, I would be straight with people. If we were going to put them in the subscription this year, I would tell people. And I know there'll be some disappointment about that.
This acquisition is definitely long-term for Microsoft, so the fact that we're not hitting day one with a bunch of games dropping in to Game Pass is a little bit of a downer, but I'm very excited about the future.
Eventually, Diablo IV joined Game Pass in late March. Again, Xbox users hoped that more titles would follow shortly, but that wasn't the case, and Microsoft didn't raise up the subject during its Xbox Games Showcase last month, either.
However, a new rumor started by insider extas1s reveals that Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, the remaster compilation that recently hit the 20 million units sales milestone, will join Game Pass next month. According to extas1s, it won't be alone, as Spyro Reignited Trilogy and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 will both be added to the subscription service shortly, though the insider couldn't confirm if that would happen in August.
Windows Central has since corroborated the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy rumor, adding that Microsoft plans to slowly add back catalog games from Activision Blizzard to Game Pass. As such, it may be a while before every classic hit in the publisher's portfolio makes it to the subscription service.
As for when exactly Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy might be added to GP, it could be a good announcement to share with fans during Gamescom Opening Night Live (slated to air on Tuesday, August 20, between 8 and 10 PM CET), though that's just speculation on our part.
About the author: With over two decades of experience in gaming journalism, Alessio Palumbo has led the gaming vertical at Wccftech since August 2015. He started working at a young age for Italian websites like Everyeye.it, Gamestar.it, Nextgame.it, and Multiplayer.it before kickstarting the indie English-language publication Worlds Factory as its founder and Editor in Chief. In the last decade, he has coordinated the overall output of Wccftech's gaming section, managed PR relations, assigned reviews, produced daily news coverage, edited gaming content as needed, and delivered game reviews. Arguably, his trademark content is the long series of exclusive developer interviews that have been cited by Wikipedia and by the biggest news media and gaming publications. His passion for technology also makes him knowledgeable when it comes to gaming hardware and tech. His favorite genres include RPGs, MMORPGs, and action/adventure games.
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