Is Diablo 4 on Xbox Game Pass?

Diablo 4
(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment/Xbox/Jennifer Young)

Is Diablo 4 on Xbox Game Pass?

Diablo 4 is now available on Xbox and PC Game Pass; it was officially added to the library on March 28, 2024. However, you are not currently able to play it on Xbox Cloud Gaming due to the UK CMA ruling that Ubisoft owns the cloud rights to Activision Blizzard games. 


Diablo 4 is available on Xbox Game Pass 

You can play Diablo 4 as part of your Xbox Game Pass subscription (Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)

Diablo 4 is now available on Xbox and PC Game Pass. Since Microsoft purchased Activision Blizzard, Diablo 4 is the first title obtained in the merger to be added to the Xbox extensive library of games. This took place on March 28, 2024, and means that Xbox and PC Game Pass subscribers can now play the game as part of their subscription and do not need to pay upfront for the game. There are some extra steps to take for PC Game Pass subscribers which I will detail later.

In our Diablo 4 review, Windows Central's Jez Corden concluded that this may be Blizzard Entertainment's magnum opus, a true masterpiece for the genre. If you are new to the game, you may want to check out my 7 beginner tips for Diablo 4 as it arrives on Xbox Game Pass.

Diablo 4 will also expand in the future with new content and expansions. Its not currently clear if the planned Vessel of Hatred expansion will also come to Xbox Game Pass, but we do know that Blizzard is planning to support this game for years to come.

Can I play Diablo 4 on Xbox Cloud Gaming?

As previously stated by our editor Jez Corden, Diablo 4 is not available to play on the Xbox Cloud as other Game Pass games are. This is a consequence of a CMA ruling that stipulated that Ubisoft is responsible for the rights to Activision Blizzard games on the Cloud. This ruling applies to Activision Blizzard games worldwide, not just within the UK.

Xbox lead Phil Spencer has stated that Xbox is working on allowing players to access their own games via the Xbox cloud. However, Activision Blizzard games will likely not be part of this initiative. 

How do I play Diablo 4 on PC Game Pass?

For PC Game Pass customers, the process to play Diablo 4 is a little less straight forward, as you'll need to install the Battle.net launcher. Here's what to do if you're trying to play Diablo 4 using PC Game Pass:

  • Open the Xbox App on PC, make sure you are signed in with your Microsoft account.
  • Click on Diablo 4 and the Install button.
  • Click 'Install Battle.net' when prompted and complete the installation.
  • Connect your Battle.net account to your Microsoft account when prompted. If you do not have one, you'll be prompted to create one. 
  • Once you've downloaded Battle.net and connected your accounts, you'll be able to complete your Diablo 4 installation and play through PC Game Pass. 

Can I earn Xbox achievements in Diablo 4 on PC Game Pass?

At time of writing, there is no Xbox achievement support for PC Game Pass players. Battle.net has it's own rewards system and playing the game through PC Game Pass will unlock those only. 

Do I need to pay for the Battle Pass if playing Diablo 4 on Xbox Game Pass?

(Image credit: Jennifer Young - Windows Central)

You can play through the campaign and take part in seasonal activities for free if you are an Xbox Game Pass user. Each season comes with two Battle Passes, one free tier and one paid. You will only be able to use the free Battle Pass, and you'll need to pay for the Premium Pass if you want the extra cosmetics. If you are an Xbox Game Pass subscriber though, you may already be a member of Microsoft Rewards. Here's how you can get Diablo 4 paid battle passes for free using your Microsoft Reward points. If you are an Amazon Prime member, there are often freebies for Diablo 4 available on Prime Gaming too, such as tier skips and cosmetics. 

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Jennifer Young

Jen is a News Writer for Windows Central, focused on all things gaming and Microsoft. Anything slaying monsters with magical weapons will get a thumbs up such as Dark Souls, Dragon Age, Diablo, and Monster Hunter. When not playing games, she'll be watching a horror or trash reality TV show, she hasn't decided which of those categories the Kardashians fit into. You can follow Jen on Twitter @Jenbox360 for more Diablo fangirling and general moaning about British weather.