Sony and Microsoft have reached an agreement to keep the popular gaming franchise Call of Duty on PlayStation after Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer confirmed that the two companies have signed a binding agreement, although the details and duration of the deal have not been disclosed.
The deal between Sony and Microsoft marks the end of a bitter battle that has been waged privately and publicly over the past year. Sony had initially resisted signing a Call of Duty deal with Microsoft, fearing that the company would make the game exclusive to Xbox or even sabotage the PlayStation versions. However, during the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) v. Microsoft hearing, an email from PlayStation chief Ryan was read out, revealing that he was not actually worried about exclusivity and believed that Call of Duty would continue to be available on PlayStation for many years to come.
The agreement comes after months of discussions and counteroffers between Microsoft and Sony over the future of Activision content on PlayStation. In an email sent by Spencer to Ryan, a list of Activision games that would remain on PlayStation was included. However, Ryan deemed the list inadequate, and tensions escalated when Spencer publicly announced that Call of Duty would remain on PlayStation for several more years. Ryan criticized Spencer for going public with contract negotiations and stated that the offer was inadequate and failed to consider the impact on PlayStation gamers.
The fate of Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard has been under scrutiny, especially after it was blocked by regulators in the UK earlier this year. Microsoft is currently participating in a case management conference at the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) to discuss the situation further. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has warned that Microsoft’s proposals may lead to a new merger investigation, and discussions with Microsoft are ongoing.
Despite the regulatory challenges, Microsoft still aims to close the Activision deal by the July 18th deadline. However, there may be a slight delay to allow for the resolution of the UK situation. The CMA has extended its investigation deadline to August 29th, indicating that further deliberations are required.
The agreement between Sony and Microsoft to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation ensures that players can continue to enjoy the popular franchise on their preferred platform. While specific details of the deal remain undisclosed, it signifies the willingness of both companies to work together and prioritize the gaming experience for their respective audiences. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, partnerships and agreements such as this one play a crucial role in shaping the future of gaming and providing players with exciting and immersive experiences.
