One of the next big first-party Xbox games is coming to Battle.net, and it’s getting a special steelbook edition

One of the next big first-party Xbox games is coming to Battle.net, and it's getting a special steelbook edition

What you need to know

  • Avowed is a role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios.
  • In addition to launching across Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC via the Xbox Store and Steam, Avowed will be available through Battle.net.
  • This marks a first for Blizzard Entertainment’s PC storefront, as it’s previously been limited to Activision Blizzard titles.
  • Avowed is slated to launch on Feb. 18, 2025, with five-day early access for anyone that preorders the Premium Edition or Steelbook Edition of the game.

As a seasoned tech enthusiast with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that the upcoming release of Avowed on Blizzard Entertainment’s storefront is nothing short of intriguing. Having grown up playing games across various platforms and witnessing the evolution of the gaming industry, I find it fascinating to see the convergence of different publishing arms, especially when it comes to cross-promoting games like Avowed on Battle.net.


As a researcher, I can share that the upcoming game set to debut on Blizzard Entertainment’s platform is not developed by either Activision or Blizzard itself.

I’ve learned that Avowed, the forthcoming fantasy RPG from Xbox Game Studios and Obsidian Entertainment, will be available on Battle.net simultaneously with its release, as announced via Xbox Wire last Thursday. This is a groundbreaking move for both Blizzard and Xbox, as Battle.net has traditionally been exclusive to titles under the Activision Blizzard umbrella like Call of Duty, Diablo, and World of Warcraft.

You can check out the preorder trailer for Avowed below:

Beyond the standard edition that can be preordered at $70 (and is part of Game Pass), there will also be a Premium Edition and a Steelbook Edition for $90 and $95 respectively. The Premium Edition comes with some additional items and offers early access to the game, allowing you to start playing Avowed on February 13, five days before its official release date.

Originally scheduled for release in 2024 but postponed due to an abundance of games releasing around the same time, Avowed is now set to debut on February 18, 2025. It will be playable across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (accessible through Steam, PC Game Pass, and Battle.net), and will be immediately accessible for subscribers of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on its first day of release.

Analysis: An experiment, or something else?

I’d be perfectly fine with more Xbox exclusives from other developers appearing on Battle.net, regardless of whether they were created by Activision or Blizzard.

Combining game and franchise promotions from various Xbox publishing divisions seems logical, particularly considering that PC Game Pass now integrates with platforms like Battle.net for titles such as Diablo 4 and StarCraft 2.

I’m wondering about the selection of Avowed as the starting point for this platform, and I’m curious if it’s just because it’s the first Xbox game releasing in 2025. Could it be that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle were set to launch too closely?

As a fan, here’s what I’m wondering: If the situation is as it seems, just how much further does it extend? It’s no secret that delays can and often do occur, but Xbox has an impressive lineup of games scheduled for 2025. Will they hold off on releasing another non-Blizzard title until they gather data from Avowed on Battle.net, or could we possibly see DOOM: The Dark Ages, Fable, and South of Midnight make their way onto Blizzard’s platform instead? Frankly, I have no idea, but I can’t wait to find out!

I’m equally thrilled about the prospect of playing Avowed! My coworker, Zachary Boddy, was fortunate enough to try a pre-release build, and based on his account of what he witnessed during Gamescom 2024, this promises to be yet another exceptional offering from Obsidian Entertainment.

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2024-11-14 22:09