Microsoft Secures Call of Duty Deal on PlayStation

Gaming has come a long way, from classic and vintage graphics to dynamic and realistic gameplay experiences in a matter of a few years. Call of Duty is the best-selling video game franchise, allowing users to immerse in a stunning battle arena. With many versions of the game, you can enjoy playing Call of Duty on mobile, desktop, and other gaming consoles. 

Among the gaming consoles, the popular ones are PlayStation and Xbox. Both gaming consoles are products of top-notch tech companies, Sony and Microsoft. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), shortly Sony, is the parent organisation of PlayStation, while Microsoft owns Xbox. 

Call of Duty is the product of Activision Blizzard, and users can play many versions of the game on different consoles, including Xbox and PlayStation (PS). However, Microsoft had a deal with Activision Blizzard Inc. to make it an Xbox-exclusive video game. The recent updates reflect something else as the Chief of Xbox wrote a deal with PlayStation, allowing PS to keep Call of Duty for a few more years despite the deal. 

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Microsoft vs. Sony – The Call of Duty’s Future

Call of Duty is the favourite game of countless online gamers due to the game’s immersive gameplay, graphics, and storyline. The reason behind this extensive fame is the franchise’s tireless efforts to make every feature of this game attractive and jaw-dropping. Therefore, gamers want to play this game at any cost without worrying about the gaming device. 

The Call of Duty gaming franchise belongs to Activision Blizzard and Microsoft offered a breathtaking 69 billion USD offer to get ownership rights of the company. It has been more than a year and a half to the said deal, and Microsoft is yet to acquire the giant gaming franchise due to the gaming regulators’ concerns about this deal. 

This feud between Microsoft and regulators is essential since it will determine whether the game remains available on other gaming consoles or exclusive to Microsoft’s Xbox only. However, a deal between Sony and Microsoft suggested an availability duration of 10 years for the game, making Call of Duty games available on Sony’s PlayStation console. 

Microsoft Secures Call of Duty Deal on PlayStation

In July 2023, Microsoft took a step further into securing a deal with Sony Interactive Entertainment to allow the battlefield game Call of Duty on Sony’s gaming console, PlayStation. The news came into being when the gaming CEO of Microsoft, Phil Spencer, tweeted about the deal. 

He narrated that Microsoft and PlayStation have joined hands over a binding agreement where Microsoft will allow users to play Call of Duty on Sony’s gaming console, PlayStation, without any issue for an extended period of time. The aim of this deal is to allow users worldwide access to this amazing game, allowing the popularity of Call of Duty to rise beyond. 

Not only PlayStation but other gaming consoles are under Microsoft’s radar. Microsoft President, Brad Smith, is hopeful to let global users find their way into playing Call of Duty on various devices and gaming consoles, including Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo gaming. 

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Microsoft’s Agreements With Other Platforms

The fundamental problem with Microsoft’s acquisition of Call of Duty’s franchise is the exclusiveness of this game. Regulators worry that Call of Duty will no longer be available for users on other gaming consoles but Microsoft’s Xbox. However, Microsoft’s efforts regarding Call of Duty seem contradictory to regulators’ concerns. 

Microsoft stepped forward towards Nintendo, a gaming console and vintage gaming platform, with an offer about Xbox games. Microsoft proposed a 10-year-long deal between Microsoft and Nintendo to allow cross-platform functionality of games between the gaming consoles. Thus, Call of Duty will be playable on Nintendo after Microsoft’s acquisition of the game. 

The software giant company Microsoft also extended their supportive hands towards cloud gaming services, including NVIDIA and Boosteroid. This deal came soon after the Nintendo deal, and the European Commission approved it. However, it was unsuccessful because the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) of the UK denied the merger as it had concerns over Microsoft’s desktop operating system and cloud services. 

Call of Duty Availability on PlayStation

SIE’s CEO and President Jim Ryan first came out and said the company would not be working with Microsoft. He hoped that antitrust authorities would block Microsoft’s purchase of Call of Duty since he was opposed to the combination. Sony, however, was compelled to accept Microsoft’s conditions. 

After much negotiation, Sony and Microsoft have agreed on an agreement that would see Microsoft titles made available on Sony systems. Microsoft’s deal with Nintendo and cloud gaming services is unique in that it only covers Call of Duty games. The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) request for a preliminary injunction was refused by the federal court hearing the case. 

This court judgement should pave the way for the purchase if Microsoft and the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority can agree. It could be the reason Sony reversed its position on a Call of Duty partnership. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Call of Duty Remain on PlayStation?

Though Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are going through a merger, and words are that Microsoft will make Call of Duty Xbox an exclusive product, PlayStation will have the Call of Duty game. It is due to the deal between Microsoft and Sony where the former proposed to let the game stay on the gaming console for global access of the users. 

What Is the Microsoft and Activision Deal?

At the start of 2022, Microsoft offered an acquisition deal to Activision Blizzard Inc. The deal will merge the gaming company with the tech giant and all their products as Xbox Game Studios. It was a 69 billion dollar deal in cash to merge the companies in July 2023, but the merger did not happen yet due to regulatory institutions blocking their activities. 

When Will the Deal Between Microsoft and Activision Complete?

Activision Blizzard Inc. is in discussion with Microsoft to allow the latter to acquire the gaming company. In July 2023, both companies concluded to announce the merger agreement on 18 October 2023. The takeover would have happened until now, but regulatory authorities in the U.K. and the U.S. did not let this occur yet.