Blizzard Boss Shuts Down Diablo 4 On Xbox Game Pass: 'This Is Not Happening' | MMORPG.com

System · July 2023

Blizzard Boss Shuts Down Diablo 4 On Xbox Game Pass: 'This Is Not Happening' | MMORPG.com

For those looking at the recent legal win for Microsoft in its Activision Blizzard acquisition and hoping it means we'll see Diablo 4 on Game Pass any time soon, Blizzard's President has shut that down full stop in a recent tweet.

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Angrakhan · July 2023

I can promise you Bobby Kotick will not have much say so once the acquisition is finalized. Both sides can say what they want for PR purposes now, but I've been through a fortune 200 acquisition before. The reality is that everyone is going to get an @microsoft.com email address and be put under a Microsoft VP in the org chart. Anyone not willing to tow the new corporate line will be cut. If there's redundancy in job function, there will be layoffs. Heck even the CEO of my deal was promised a seat on the board of directors and within 2 years he was gone. Fat golden parachute, of course, but gone nonetheless. Bobby's likely already negotiated his 8-figure payout and is just going to stick around for a "transition period" and then he'll either retire or leave to start a new studio with his fat sacks of cash.

I fully expect a significant reduction in force post acquisition. They may state something silly like they're "buying the team and the culture", but the fact of the matter is they want the IP's and everyone there is totally expendable all the way to the top. Microsoft has a CEO.

Astropuyo · July 2023

Right and Peter and Derek Smart will get together to create the greatest sci fi sim ever.

Markn · July 2023

It will be if or when Spencer tells them to do it because in a week he will be the one who decides this.

bng28 · July 2023

"This is not happening" -24 hours later "Microsoft Acquires Activision Blizzard"

Calavry · July 2023

Angrakhan said:

I can promise you Bobby Kotick will not have much say so once the acquisition is finalized. Both sides can say what they want for PR purposes now, but I've been through a fortune 200 acquisition before. The reality is that everyone is going to get an @microsoft.com email address and be put under a Microsoft VP in the org chart. Anyone not willing to tow the new corporate line will be cut. If there's redundancy in job function, there will be layoffs. Heck even the CEO of my deal was promised a seat on the board of directors and within 2 years he was gone. Fat golden parachute, of course, but gone nonetheless. Bobby's likely already negotiated his 8-figure payout and is just going to stick around for a "transition period" and then he'll either retire or leave to start a new studio with his fat sacks of cash.

I fully expect a significant reduction in force post acquisition. They may state something silly like they're "buying the team and the culture", but the fact of the matter is they want the IP's and everyone there is totally expendable all the way to the top. Microsoft has a CEO.

I am looking forward to all the new game companies that are going to be created by those with passion that find they cannot stand the borg

LamiaCritter · July 2023

Why are people so obsessed with having everything shoved on the Game Pass?

Markn · July 2023

LamiaCritter said:

Why are people so obsessed with having everything shoved on the Game Pass?

They won't like it after buying DLC for a game on game pass only for the game to no longer be on game pass later.

OG_Solareus · July 2023

he realizes he isn't the boss ?

Aeander · July 2023

Markn said:

LamiaCritter said:

Why are people so obsessed with having everything shoved on the Game Pass?

They won't like it after buying DLC for a game on game pass only for the game to no longer be on game pass later.

I love my PS Plus Extra sub service, but yeah, subs are only good for games you don't intend to return to after you beat them, and I would never spend money on a game I'm playing via one.

But for just experiencing as many games as possible, especially shorter ones, the subcription service is an equalizer, and really helps cheaply expand the backlog.

Nanfoodle · July 2023

LamiaCritter said:

Why are people so obsessed with having everything shoved on the Game Pass?

It's saved me from buying games I thought I would enjoy but I didn't, so didn't chuck away my money. And it's also found me many games I would have never tried I have found to loved so much I bought them. It's been a great 2.5 years of gaming for my Xbox and PC.

Slapshot1188 · July 2023

Markn said:

LamiaCritter said:

Why are people so obsessed with having everything shoved on the Game Pass?

They won't like it after buying DLC for a game on game pass only for the game to no longer be on game pass later.

I have saved so much money on gamepass that it's simply the best gaming deal ever. My suspicion is that they will jack up the rates at some point but it has saved me hundreds of dollars so far. At least hundreds.

Slapshot1188 · July 2023

He would never say that his new game will be on Gamepass in the future. It would be suicide for sales. Don't believe a word he says.

slowz2secret · July 2023

For now, he will be 100% fired when microsoft buy that bs company, I hope they fire every single one of them

Raagnarz · July 2023

Angrakhan said:

I can promise you Bobby Kotick will not have much say so once the acquisition is finalized. Both sides can say what they want for PR purposes now, but I've been through a fortune 200 acquisition before. The reality is that everyone is going to get an @microsoft.com email address and be put under a Microsoft VP in the org chart. Anyone not willing to tow the new corporate line will be cut. If there's redundancy in job function, there will be layoffs. Heck even the CEO of my deal was promised a seat on the board of directors and within 2 years he was gone. Fat golden parachute, of course, but gone nonetheless. Bobby's likely already negotiated his 8-figure payout and is just going to stick around for a "transition period" and then he'll either retire or leave to start a new studio with his fat sacks of cash.

I fully expect a significant reduction in force post acquisition. They may state something silly like they're "buying the team and the culture", but the fact of the matter is they want the IP's and everyone there is totally expendable all the way to the top. Microsoft has a CEO.

Spot on analysis and exactly what is going to happen. There is a good chance if MS is approved for acquiring AB that D4 will be on gamepass if MS wants it to be. And yes AB will continue to exist only as far as MS wants them to. They could exist in name only or MS could give them autonomy to do what they want again unlike Kotick and Activision.

finefluff · July 2023

Seeing the context of the tweet in the article and follow up, it's clear that he was just debunking a false advertisement for Diablo 4 on Game Pass. Saying "This is not happening" is different from "This is not ever happening."

Some posters are speaking as if he would be against Diablo on Game Pass or that he will have no input in the matter (or even be fired! lol).

Well, did you know that prior to joining Blizzard, Ybarra was at Microsoft for almost 20 years? And also, did you know that he was the Corporate Vice President for Xbox Live and Game Pass for almost 3 years? So, if anything, he would be in favor of eventually bringing it to Game Pass.

ValdemarJ · July 2023

Aeander said:

Markn said:

LamiaCritter said:

Why are people so obsessed with having everything shoved on the Game Pass?

They won't like it after buying DLC for a game on game pass only for the game to no longer be on game pass later.

I love my PS Plus Extra sub service, but yeah, subs are only good for games you don't intend to return to after you beat them, and I would never spend money on a game I'm playing via one.

But for just experiencing as many games as possible, especially shorter ones, the subcription service is an equalizer, and really helps cheaply expand the backlog.

For games I intend to return to over and over again, I tend to buy them regardless whether they're on a service or not.

Typically I don't buy DLC when I play a GP game, but if I wanted to play the content I wouldn't hesitate. I could either pay full price for the game + season pass/dlc/etc, or I can just pay for the DLC. Most all GP games are 10 - 20% off regular price.

If I ever ended up no subscribing and I still wanted to play a game, I'd just buy it.

I do try a lot more games than I otherwise would have and learn a lot about what I like and don't.

ValdemarJ · July 2023

Slapshot1188 said:

He would never say that his new game will be on Gamepass in the future. It would be suicide for sales. Don't believe a word he says.

Yeah, this is my thought too. Also, after hearing some murmuring from Bethesda about ABK getting some special treatment, it has made me curious. I definitely got vibes of "edicts from above" and also a bit of unrest. From the tone of his statement I'm inferring things may not be as rosy at Xbox despite what we might like to think.

Kind of gossipy I know, but from that impression, what I'd like to see is Microsoft organize and unify their house a little better. All of this still feels like a grand experiment and not a core part of the Microsoft gaming identity.

Celcius · July 2023

It took 3 days for the most recent Bethesda games to all release on Game Pass from the day the acquisition finished. I would be surprised if it doesn't happen right away.

JeroKane · July 2023

OG_Solareus said:

he realizes he isn't the boss ?

Man I cannot wait for the transition to finalize and this toxic arrogant bozo gets the boot!

It's a long time coming!

Warlyx · July 2023

it will be in GP , when ? who knows maybe after it gets a % discount sale

GoldenTuatara · July 2023

That'll be for Microsoft to decide. Not this guy.

Scot · July 2023

Slapshot1188 said:

He would never say that his new game will be on Gamepass in the future. It would be suicide for sales. Don't believe a word he says.

But it might only go to GP next year or even the year after that, GP is not going anywhere, it can wait.

Iselin · July 2023

Celcius said:

It took 3 days for the most recent Bethesda games to all release on Game Pass from the day the acquisition finished. I would be surprised if it doesn't happen right away.

Some Bethesda games (e.g. Skyrim Special Edition) were already on Game Pass before the acquisition and none of the ones added quickly after that were recent games with healthy ongoing sales at the time.

AAA games make it to game pass either on their release date for the purpose of promoting Game Pass (MS Flight Sim, Starfield, etc.) or months/years after they stopped being the top sellers they once were. There's really very little in between.

If and when Diablo 4 comes to Game Pass it won't be any time soon. D1, 2, and 3 very well might make it soon after the merger but I seriously doubt D4 will be there until at least the first expansion, whenever that is.

Dattelis · July 2023

I think thanks to all the legal hurdles, Bobby forgot this was an acquisition deal and not a merger.......poor Bobby, guy probably thinks he'll still have his job once the deal is done.

Slapshot1188 · July 2023

Scot said:

Slapshot1188 said:

He would never say that his new game will be on Gamepass in the future. It would be suicide for sales. Don't believe a word he says.

But it might only go to GP next year or even the year after that, GP is not going anywhere, it can wait.

Sure. It wont be this year. No way. But it WILL be on Gamepass.

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Blizzard Boss Shuts Down Diablo 4 On Xbox Game Pass: 'This Is Not Happening' | MMORPG.com

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Blizzard Boss Shuts Down Diablo 4 On Xbox Game Pass: 'This Is Not Happening' | MMORPG.com

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