Since Microsoft’s announcement of its plans to acquire Activision Blizzard over a year ago, gamers have been wondering about the future of the popular Call of Duty franchise. The looming question has been whether the series would become exclusive to the Xbox ecosystem after the acquisition is completed.
Microsoft’s Assurance and Sony’s Concerns
In an effort to gain regulatory approval for the acquisition, Microsoft has actively sought to keep Call of Duty available on multiple platforms. Xbox executives have repeatedly emphasized their intention to maintain the franchise’s presence across various systems once the deal is finalized.
Sony, however, voiced its opposition to the acquisition, expressing concerns that Call of Duty would become an Xbox exclusive. As a result, Sony even refused to sign agreements with Microsoft, citing fears that PlayStation users would receive inferior versions of the game.
We are pleased to announce that Microsoft and @PlayStation have signed a binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We look forward to a future where players globally have more choice to play their favorite games.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) July 16, 2023
A Turnaround in the Negotiations
Now, it appears that a significant shift in mindset has occurred. After months of negotiations and back-and-forth discussions, Microsoft and Sony have finally reached an agreement. Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, took to Twitter to share the news and express his desire for players to have more options to enjoy their favorite games.
Microsoft’s Commitment and a Bright Future for Call of Duty
Brad Smith, the president of Microsoft, affirmed the company’s commitment to address the concerns of game and platform developers, regulators, and consumers from the very beginning. He expressed their focus on ensuring that Call of Duty remains available on a broader range of platforms, reaching more players than ever before.
The specifics of the agreement, such as its duration, remain undisclosed. However, this deal brings an end to what seemed like an endless battle. The news follows a recent legal victory for Xbox over the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
From Day One of this acquisition, we’ve been committed to addressing the concerns of regulators, platform and game developers, and consumers. Even after we cross the finish line for this deal’s approval, we will remain focused on ensuring that Call of Duty remains available on… https://t.co/hMWjC58wRi
— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) July 16, 2023
With this agreement in place, the completion of the Activision Blizzard acquisition by Microsoft seems closer than ever. However, Microsoft still needs to navigate the proceedings with the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
Gamers can now breathe a sigh of relief as Microsoft and Sony have reached an agreement to ensure the continued availability of Call of Duty on PlayStation. As the acquisition progresses, players on both Xbox and PlayStation can look forward to enjoying the iconic franchise without platform restrictions. The deal paves the way for an exciting future for Call of Duty and its dedicated fanbase.