It’s not often that massive news breaks out of the blue. The video game industry is no stranger to leaks, especially for major titles and events, but the announcement that Microsoft is acquiring Activision-Blizzard is one that not many people may have seen coming. While Microsoft has made some high-profile buys in the past, the recent addition of Activision and Blizzard to its umbrella of developers and publishers means that it now has access to another roster of long-running games. The addition of these games to Microsoft’s own line-up also means that the potential for crossovers with these games and other Microsoft titles has increased significantly.
Crossover events as a whole have been growing in popularity and while Fortnite might currently reign supreme with its near-constant flow of crossover content Microsoft has opened the door to make some considerable moves of its own. Halo Infinite’s Cyber Showdown event just kicked off and the game’s live-service style multiplayer has a ton of potential when it comes to future events. Once the acquisition of Activision Blizzard is finalized there’s the possibility that this could come in the form of crossovers with similar titles like Call of Duty: Warzone and Overwatch or its sequel Overwatch 2.
Microsoft and Activision Blizzard Crossovers
The potential for these events doesn’t have to be limited to just current Microsoft games. While the company’s properties do have a lot to gain from the acquisition, titles that are brought over from Activision Blizzard have the same potential. Overwatch is no stranger to crossover content with a varying array of cosmetics and other items that directly tie into other Blizzard properties like Diablo, StarCraft, and World of Warcraft. Tapping into this once Microsoft has control over the games could see new events where features like a Master Chief skin for Soldier 76 becomes a reality or novelty items from the Elder Scrolls are worked into the likes of Diablo 4 as easter eggs or DLC content.
While these are simple applications, it’s also the kind of content that has been able to draw fans into different games in the past. Both Fortnite and the Super Smash Bros. series have excelled in this area with crossover content that varies in complexity, but they're not alone. The recent Bungie 30th Anniversary content in Destiny 2 introduced a lot of new gear to the looter shooter with a significant portion of it calling on the studio's time making Halo games. Homages to past or current titles might not be the most significant implementation of crossovers, but they are also the kinds of little nods that fans enjoy.
This simpler approach if used after the acquisition is finalized could lead to similar events with Microsoft and Activision Blizzard titles to varying degrees. The list of franchises that Microsoft will own once the acquisition goes through is considerable. It includes some of the most high-profile titles to have been released in the last decade while also including major series that have been able to dominate in the industry for years. With titles from Call of Duty to Spyro the Dragon to the new Tony Hawk games, the roster of notable games that could be at Microsoft’s disposal in the near future is lengthy and each could fall into cross-over territory in its own way.
For some optional DLC does seem like the most conventional way to work in such material but others could also take an approach that is likely to be used in games like Halo Infinite if the choice is made. Call of Duty, in particular, is a prime option for a season pass or cosmetic content that could be related to other titles. Options like weapon and operator skins that are tied to the likes of Halo would likely translate well and the same goes for the reverse. On top of this, the option to introduce the likes of Master Chief to Call of Duty: Warzone as an operator seems like a real possibility now that the two franchises will soon be under the same umbrella. This would be a more significant way to work the two franchises into one another but is also one that would garner a lot of attention from fans of both series.
Minecraft
As major as events with Call of Duty, Halo, and Overwatch would be crossovers aren't likely to be limited to just hero shooters and FPS games if they happen. Even though these make up some of the most prominent series right now, Microsoft could also add some options for titles like Minecraft once its acquisition of Activision Blizzard is finalized. The massive Wild update for Minecraft will be a big step forward for the game later this year, but it’s also another title with a lengthy history of incorporating other properties thanks to its diverse library of skin and texture packs.
Additions to this in the future that incorporate the properties that Microsoft will gain from the acquisition of Activision Blizzard are more than likely given the prominence of all the games involved. Some of the best Minecraft mods that are available have done things like add in a fully playable Mercy from Overwatch already and with past interest from fans, it seems reasonable to offer more related content. The full implementation of licensed materials that Microsoft gains in the future could also lead to even more spectacular creations by players benefitting the game’s community as a whole.
Some of the titles that Activision Blizzard currently holds onto like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro would likely be the best options when looking at how such crossovers could be done thanks to the general nature of these games. Not only does their less mature subject matter bode well for crossovers with games like Minecraft, but their lighthearted gameplay makes them prime candidates as well. While the overall fate of such crossovers does continue to be up in the air it's their general possibility that feels undeniable. The release of future content geared towards these series seems more than plausible and given how high-profile the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard is, it would make sense that other titles under the company's umbrella would be given a chance to take advantage of the creative options provided by newcomers.