A win-win for Call of Duty fans.
Fear not PlayStation gamers: Microsoft plans to keep Call of Duty titles on PlayStation consoles for some time, including a period after Sony’s current marketing deal with Activision.
Following Microsoft’s $68.7 billion move to acquire Activision Blizzard, there had been speculation that the popular first-person shooter could disappear from Sony platforms as early as 2024.
In a statement to The Verge, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said, “In January, we provided a signed agreement to Sony to guarantee Call of Duty on PlayStation, with feature and content parity, for at least several more years beyond the current Sony contract.”
While Spencer did not make clear the exact number of years that Call of Duty will continue to come to PlayStation consoles, this is the best indication that exclusivity of the franchise won’t be an immediate consequence of the Activision Blizzard deal going through.
Microsoft went public with its intention to acquire Activision Blizzard in January this year but it’s yet to be finalised due to an ongoing CMA investigation into whether the deal violates antitrust laws.
Sony and Microsoft have been at odds over the proposed acquisition of the company with the Call of Duty franchises blockbuster status and lack of viable competition at the centre of the debate.
While it’s unclear whether statement from Spencer — who recently announced that Call of Duty would be coming to Game Pass — will appease Sony or ease the CMA’s concerns over the acquisition, it’s good news for anyone who loves the franchise.
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