Phil Spencer, the Head of Microsoft Gaming and Xbox, took to Twitter to deliver the news Microsoft has announced a formal agreement with Sony’s PlayStation division to ensure that the popular gaming title, Call of Duty, will continue to be available on PlayStation platforms. The announcement comes in the wake of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which sparked fears about the future of the multi-platform game.
Phil Spencer, the Head of Microsoft Gaming and Xbox, came to Twitter to spread the news, noting, “We are thrilled to announce that Microsoft and @PlayStation have struck a binding deal to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We look forward to a future where people everywhere have more choice to play their favorite games.”
This agreement aimed at addressing concerns made by regulators regarding the potential impact of Microsoft’s acquisition on competition. Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith, has expressed his commitment to resolving these problems. According to a report by The Verge, the commitment has resulted to a 10-year pact.
“From Day One of this transaction, we’ve been committed to addressing the concerns of regulators, platform and game creators, and consumers. Even when we cross the finish line for this deal’s approval, we will stay focused on ensuring that Call of Duty is available on more platforms and for more consumers than ever before,” stressed Smith.
The deal to keep Call of Duty available on PlayStation could allay fears that Microsoft’s rising market dominance will lead to exclusivity or limited availability of the game on rival platforms. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had previously voiced worries that the acquisition may restrict competition and limit consumer choice.
The FTC said that Microsoft would have an incentive to block rivals like Sony from accessing the popular game, which might ultimately affect both console users and those with gaming subscriptions. In response to these concerns, Microsoft had previously committed to licensing “Call of Duty” to other industry players. Notably, they had struck a 10-year contract arrangement with Nintendo, subject on the consummation of the merger.
Impact on Gamers
With the recent deal between Microsoft and PlayStation, players can look forward to playing the highly anticipated Call of Duty titles on their favorite platforms, regardless of whether they play on Xbox or PlayStation consoles. The new arrangement with PlayStation is one of the various ways in which Microsoft is trying to convince authorities in the US and Europe in favour of the Microsoft-Activision acquisition.
