Shubham Sawarkar
Sony and Microsoft have just signed a “binding agreement” to secure the future of the highly popular Call of Duty franchise on PlayStation. This strategic collaboration comes in the wake of Microsoft’s imminent $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which is set to conclude following an unsuccessful appeal from the FTC. With the ink now dry on this historic agreement, both companies are demonstrating their commitment to providing players worldwide with a broader range of gaming choices.
The news was initially shared through a tweet by Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox. His statement read, “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.” This announcement signals a significant milestone in the partnership between these industry giants and lays the foundation for further collaborations in the future.
Microsoft president, Brad Smith, further emphasized the commitment of both companies to address the concerns of regulators, platform and game developers, and consumers. Smith stated, “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 more platforms and for more consumers than ever before.” This assurance highlights their dedication to preserving the accessibility and popularity of the Call of Duty series across multiple platforms.
It is worth noting that Microsoft had extended an offer to Sony in December 2022 for a 10-year agreement to secure Call of Duty‘s presence on PlayStation devices. Similar agreements had already been established with Nintendo and the PC platform Steam. However, Sony refrained from signing the deal due to concerns over potential issues that could impact the performance and experience of Call of Duty games on their consoles. Worries included technical bugs and errors, a potential increase in pricing for PlayStation players, limitations on multiplayer access, and the exclusivity of future entries to Xbox Game Pass.
With the impending $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Sony has decided to ensure the continuity of Call of Duty on its hardware, solidifying its position as a leading gaming platform. However, the fate of other prominent Activision Blizzard properties, such as Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon, remains uncertain. Sony’s primary focus appears to be on safeguarding the Call of Duty franchise and its immense popularity among gamers.
