Following the Federal Trade Commission’s unsuccessful appeal, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion is expected to be finalized soon. In light of this development, Sony and Microsoft have recently entered into a “binding agreement” to ensure that the Call of Duty franchise remains exclusive to PlayStation.
While it remains unclear whether this agreement mirrors the previously offered 10-year deal from Microsoft or involves a different duration, the focus is on securing the franchise for PlayStation.
In a tweet, Xbox boss Phil Spencer expressed his satisfaction: “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.”
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.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) July 16, 2023
Microsoft president Brad Smith added: “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.”
Last December, Microsoft invited Sony, urging them to sign a 10-year agreement to guarantee Call of Duty’s release on PlayStation devices. Similar arrangements had already been made with Nintendo and the PC platform, Steam.
However, Sony decided not to sign the deal due to concerns about potential issues and glitches affecting the PS5 and PS4 versions of the game. They were also worried about the possibility of an increased price point for PlayStation players, limited multiplayer access, and the potential exclusivity of future Call of Duty entries to Xbox Game Pass.
With the impending $69 billion acquisition, Sony has finally agreed to a Call of Duty deal with Microsoft. It remains uncertain what will happen with other properties like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, and Activision Blizzard, as Sony has been primarily focused on ensuring the availability of Call of Duty on its hardware.