Rosalind Evans
Microsoft has secured an agreement with Sony to maintain the availability of the Call of Duty video game series on PlayStation following its impending acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the game’s developer.
The news was made public on Sunday via a Twitter announcement by Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft’s Xbox division.
In his post, Spencer emphasized their commitment to offering gamers worldwide more options for playing their preferred games.
The battle over Call of Duty has been heated between Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation due to Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the creator of the top-selling Call of Duty series.
As part of its global efforts to secure regulatory approval for the deal, Microsoft reached agreements with Nintendo and several cloud gaming providers for a 10-year licensing of Activision titles, including Call of Duty, a proposal extended to Sony. Until now, Sony had not agreed. However, as Microsoft approaches finalizing the acquisition, Sony has finally consented.
On Friday, a U.S. appeals court dismissed an attempt by federal regulators to halt Microsoft’s purchase.
Microsoft initially agreed with Activision in January 2022, aiming to broaden its gaming presence beyond the Xbox, which holds a smaller market share than industry leader Sony and its PlayStation platform. Microsoft has been seeking regulatory approval for the deal in the U.S. and internationally, facing resistance from Sony, who feared losing a game they categorize as a “must-have.”
In a legal argument over the acquisition by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Sony executive Jim Ryan stated that initial private discussions with Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick and Spencer had left him with little concern over the deal.
Ryan later developed fears that Microsoft might use the popularity of Call of Duty to disadvantage PlayStation, possibly providing its players with a subpar gaming experience.
Sony has not yet responded to requests for comment made on Sunday. Microsoft verified that the agreement is set to last for a decade.
Brad Smith, President of Microsoft, tweeted, “Since the inception of this acquisition, we have been dedicated to addressing the concerns of regulators, game developers, platforms, and consumers.” He added, “Post-acquisition approval, we will remain committed to ensuring that Call of Duty stays accessible on more platforms and for more consumers than ever.”
Microsoft needs to finalize the acquisition to avoid a potential $3 billion termination fee.
In the highly competitive world of video gaming, the agreement between Microsoft and Sony is an important milestone demonstrating the potential for cooperation and shared access to vital gaming content. Microsoft’s commitment to preserving the availability of the Call of Duty series across different platforms, including its rivals, underscores the importance of consumer choice and continuity in the industry. As the gaming industry landscape evolves with these mega-acquisitions, gamers worldwide will eagerly be watching the impact on their favourite titles.
