Following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Xbox and PlayStation have reached a significant agreement regarding the future of the Call of Duty franchise. Xbox CEO Phil Spencer took to Twitter to announce that the two gaming behemoths had signed a binding agreement to ensure that Call of Duty would continue to be available on PlayStation consoles.
While the agreement’s specifics were not disclosed, Spencer expressed his excitement about giving players more options for where to play their favourite games. “We are pleased to announce that Microsoft and PlayStation have signed a binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following Activision Blizzard’s acquisition,” he said. We look forward to a future in which players around the world have more options for playing their favourite games.”
Spencer stated during Microsoft’s recent FTC trial that he would go to great lengths to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation. He stated unequivocally that he would not withdraw the franchise from Sony’s platform as long as Sony allowed the game to be shipped on their consoles. This commitment demonstrated Microsoft’s commitment to keeping Call of Duty available on PlayStation.
While the agreement’s duration and specifics are unknown, it is worth noting that in December 2022, reports surfaced claiming that Microsoft had proposed a 10-year deal to Sony to ensure Call of Duty’s presence on PlayStation. Sony was also said to have the rights to include Call of Duty in its PlayStation Plus subscription service if it so desired. However, it is unclear whether the current agreement adheres to the reported terms or if any changes have been made since then.
This agreement is a significant step towards Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Microsoft hopes that by reaching this agreement with PlayStation, it will be able to address concerns raised by anti-merger groups such as the FTC and CMA. The deadline for the agreement is July 18, so time is running out. If the deal is not completed by that date, Xbox will pay a significant $3 billion fee to Activision Blizzard, and the two companies will have the opportunity to renegotiate the terms of their merger.
In conclusion, the binding agreement between Xbox and PlayStation ensures that Call of Duty will remain available on PlayStation consoles, allowing players to enjoy the popular franchise on their preferred platform. This agreement is a significant step forward in Microsoft’s ongoing acquisition of Activision Blizzard, as the company works to address concerns and close the deal before the deadline.
