Activision Blizzard was bought by Microsoft. This could bring eSports titles like World of Warcraft or Overwatch into Gamepass. What would this mean for PlayStation players and how is Sony reacting?
The year 2022 started with a big headline: Microsoft buys Californian company Activision Blizzard – for 68.7 billion US dollars – the biggest deal in video game history
With this, a number of eSports titles move to the new owner. These include Overwatch, Call of Duty and World of Warcraft, but also long-forgotten games such as Heroes of the Storm and Starcraft.
Their communities in particular are likely to be pleased about the change of ownership, as a breath of fresh air could increase their appeal again. But besides the joy, there are also many question marks. Especially when it comes to the availability of the games.
After all, the first assumption is that the new game portfolio will be integrated into Microsoft’s Gamepass. What does that mean for Sony then? Will there be no more Call of Duty on the PlayStation in future? The eSport Talk got to the bottom of this.
Between single and subscription revenues
At least as far as the financial side is concerned, there are pro and con arguments for inclusion in the Gamepass. For example, according to the industry association “Game”, Call of Duty Vanguard (11th) and Black Ops – Cold War (12th) were among the best-selling games of 2021.
Individual revenues that would be lost in the case of integration, because in Gamepass the user pays a monthly amount and can then download all the games available there – until the subscription is terminated.
On the other hand, these games would strengthen the attractiveness of the subscription model. Florian Merz, Head of eSports at “Sport1”, could therefore well imagine an interim solution: A delayed release. Those who want to start playing immediately after release have to buy the game at full price. Those who want to get it via the Gamepass would have to wait a quarter of a year. “I can’t imagine that it won’t be included in the Gamepass at all,” Merz believes.
But despite the apparent advantages, the subscription trap threatens to strike. If you only want one game, you pay between 119 and 155 euros a year, depending on the type of subscription. Significantly more expensive than the full price of a single game.
Microsoft thinks console-independent – Does the deal trigger a chain reaction?
And what would that mean for PlayStation players? Moderator Christian Gürnth thinks of a connection between the subscription model and Sony’s console: “You have the Microsoft Gamepass on the PlayStation and can then play there via that. I don’t think Microsoft is anxious to play only on the Xbox. I think they’re thinking, wherever there’s gaming, and if it’s the fridge with a display, you’ve got to have the Gamepass on there.”
Does this mean Microsoft is overtaking Sony in the duel of console giants? Warcraft 3 caster Marcel ‘SL4SHOR’ Reiske sees the next move coming from the Japanese company: “I think the next big acquisition will come from Sony, because they are a bit under pressure – under traction. So I think Sony is going towards Ubisoft and in response Microsoft is going towards EA.”
But before moving on to more questions about the future, Microsoft must first sort out the current issues. After all, the studio also took over the negative headlines surrounding Activision Blizzard.