Microsoft and Sony’s soap opera over Xbox’s purchase of Activision Blizzard is not over. Microsoft confirmed reports that it has offered Sony a deal that would keep Call of Duty on PlayStation consoles for at least 10 years in the latest chapter of this soap opera.
Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft president Brad Smith confirmed that they offered Sony a deal. In the deal, they promised to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation consoles for 10 years and have these versions arrive on the same day they are available on Xbox platforms.
One interesting detail is that it mentions that they are open to sign a similar agreement to commit to release Call of Duty on other platforms.
He also ensures that different regulatory bodies would have the tools to be able to enforce the stipulations.
“We offered Sony a 10-year contract to make new Call of Duty games available on PlayStation on the same day they debut on Xbox. We are open to making the same commitment for other platforms and having the U.S., U.K. and EU regulators legally enforce it,” Smith said.
Microsoft Is Willing To Keep Call of Duty as a Cross-Platform Game
By doing so, Microsoft has proved that it is open to allowing Call of Duty to remain available on PlayStation consoles, for at least the foreseeable future.
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That shouldn’t come as any surprise, as senior members of Xbox have made public statements that make that clear.
Let’s recall that weeks ago, Phil Spencer, Xbox chief, noted that he is open to making an agreement with Sony that would guarantee the company access to native versions of new Call of Duty. As such, it seems that the ball is now in Sony’s court.
“I’m totally open to making a contractual commitment with Sony for a number of years that guarantees that we’re going to continue to release Call of Duty on PlayStation, no problem at all.
It’s not about coming out with a surprise on PlayStation 7, but there’s no contract you can write that says ‘forever.’ That’s the idea, to make a long-term commitment that Sony is comfortable with, that the regulators are comfortable with, I have no problem with that whatsoever,” Spencer said.
What do you think of this news, do you think Sony will accept this deal so that the buyout can go ahead? Tell us in the comments.
