Nuked Microsoft is committed to keeping call of duty on PlayStation for’several more years’ beyond the existing marketing deal Sony has with Activision. It’s the clearest sign yet that call of responsibility wo n’t suddenly disappear from PlayStation platforms if Microsoft’s $ 68.7 billion deal is approved by regulators.
In January, Sony provided a signed agreement to guarantee call of duty on PlayStation, with feature and content parity, for at least several more years beyond the current Sony contract. Microsoft gaming CEO Phil Spencer says the offer goes well beyond typical gaming industry agreements.
Bloomberg originally reported earlier this year that Microsoft was committed to releasing call of duty on PlayStation’for at least the next two years’. Sony’s marketing deal for the franchise could expire in 2024.
The company is willing to guarantee call of duty on PlayStation for a longer than usual period than it contractually has to. It’s clear the company could make the game an Xbox exclusive if the Activision Blizzard deal finalizes.
Lawyers for Sony and Microsoft have been arguing over the importance of call of duty in documents submitted to Brazil’s administrative Council for economic defense (Cade) regulator. The move will ease fears from regulators who are analyzing Microsoft’s $ 68.7 billion deal to acquire Activision Blizzard.
Sony claims it would be difficult for other developers to create a franchise that rivals Activision’s call of duty. Microsoft argues it’s not as important as its rival makes it out to be.
Microsoft says a strategy of not distributing Activision Blizzard games on rival consoles would only be profitable if the games could attract a high number of players over to the Xbox ecosystem.
Fears around Xbox exclusivity for call of duty have also been stoked after Microsoft acquired Bethesda last year. Microsoft promised to retain existing agreements with Sony for deathloop on PlayStation but went on to make redfall and starfield exclusives.
Competition and markets authority to investigate Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal. Cma is moving to a phase 2 investigation that will see it appoint an independent panel to determine whether Microsoft’s control over games like call of duty could harm rivals.
