Microsoft continues its hard work on bringing more and more games to players worldwide via the Game Pass subscription, and Phil Spencer, the company’s gaming division boss, said there’s more to come. Spencer wrote a blog post on Microsoft’s official website and stated that once the Activision Blizzard acquisition closes, major titles like Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Diablo will arrive at Xbox Game Pass.
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The Xbox boss said while the company recognizes that console gaming is a crown jewel of Microsoft’s gaming division, they want to be as inclusive as possible and acknowledge that consoles aren’t the only way to play games. Spencer added that they’re focused on reaching a wider audience on both PC and mobile devices, and making gaming more affordable via Game Pass is a key to this goal.
The experienced game maker believes giving the players multiple choices on how they can play their games makes gaming more accessible and affordable and helps in creating larger and more vibrant communities of gamers. The Xbox boss feels similar benefits apply to game developers as they can have a more diverse audience across multiple platforms, and having this kind of freedom can be utilized by creative game makers.
Phil Spencer then added the following bit:
“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.”
Bringing more games to mobile platforms requires new capabilities
Microsoft and Xbox may seem like their sole focus are on PC and consoles, however, the duo has mobile gamers in mind as well. Spencer addressed some concerns in this area and said there are other unique issues they’re facing in bringing games to mobile devices. He commented:
“Bringing more games to mobile platforms, however, requires new capabilities. The expertise that the teams at Activision Blizzard bring in developing games for mobile platforms will help us understand how to create games that engage players around the world.
“In addition, we hope that players will be eager to play traditional console games from Activision Blizzard on other platforms via our cloud game streaming technology. This promises to open up mobile gaming, creating new distribution opportunities for game developers outside of mobile app stores while delivering compelling and immersive experiences for players by using the power of the cloud. And we can extend the joy of playing to devices that people already own, including Smart TVs and laptops.”
Phil Spencer is quite positive about where the company is headed in regards to mobile gaming and how it can reach mobile users and offer them great gaming experiences.
Call of Duty will launch on PlayStation on the same day
Spencer then addressed CMA’s concerns over the acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft. He said Microsoft and Xbox will continue to engage with all the regulators worldwide with absolute transparency and openness; he also mentioned that the gaming industry is in an ever-changing state and other major companies also follow similar strategies as Microsoft.
“The gaming industry today is robust and dynamic. 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.”
He then readdressed Sony’s worries over the future of the Call of Duty franchise if the acquisition were to close and Activision belonged to Microsoft. Spencer said:
“We’ve heard that this deal might take franchises like Call of Duty away from the places where people currently play them.
“That’s why, as we’ve said before, we are committed to making the same version of Call of Duty available on PlayStation on the same day the game launches elsewhere. We will continue to enable people to play with each other across platforms and across devices.”
