Microsoft swallowed up all of Tuesday’s attention with theirplan to buy Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, drowning out even good news of their own. Along with surprise, concern, andbafflement, yesterday brought Game Pass news. Yes yes they do plan to add Actiblizz games to Game Pass while they can, but there’s more: 1) the service now has over 25 million subscribers across PC and Xbox; 2) cult classicDanganronpa: Trigger Happy Havocis now on Game Pass. You know, the one with the weird bear and the murdergames.
Along with those 69 bees, Microsoft boasted about the 25 emms inthe big announcement, casually mentioning that “Game Pass now has more than 25 million subscribers”. Big number, but not a surprising one given how much of a bargain it is.
What’s concrete is that Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is on Game Pass right now, dropping in yesterday as a ‘surprise’ a few short hours after the news leaked. It’s about schoolchildren trapped in a murderous game, and trying to solve the many murders as well as the wider mysteries of the game. I realise its vibe is instantly offputting to some but we’ve declared it one of thebest visual novelsandraved about the seriesso it is worth a look if you’re on Game Pass.
Yesterday also brought the wholly expected launch ofNobody Saves The World, arriving on Game Pass the same day it goes on sale. Made byGuacameleedevelopers Drinkbox Studios, it’s a colourful action-RPG where you can shapeshift into all sorts of weird forms with weird abilities. Our Ed’sNobody Saves The World reviewsaid it has some charming characters and the transforming is clever, but the whole thing becomes repetitive.
With everyone Microsoft are swallowing up as part ofThe Great Consolidation Of The Games Industry, Games Pass is getting better and better for subscribers. But I am growing more concerned about the knock-on effects of that, when that one service gives access to so much, what that will mean for variety. Alice Bee can explain more ofconcerns around Microsoft buying Activision Blizzard.
