On July 16, 2023, Microsoft and Sony announced a binding agreement regarding the future of Call of Duty on PlayStation. This agreement comes after Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The deal has a duration of 10 years.
This announcement holds significant importance as it directly addresses concerns raised by regulators regarding the acquisition. PlayStation gamers can now be assured that they will continue to have access to one of the world’s most popular video game franchises.
Sony emerges as a winner in this agreement, as it had concerns about Microsoft potentially making Call of Duty and other Activision games exclusive to Xbox. The deal guarantees that Sony will retain a major first-party shooter franchise, which aligns with the company’s overall gaming strategy.
Furthermore, this agreement benefits gamers as a whole. It demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to providing its games to as many players as possible, even after acquiring a major publisher like Activision Blizzard. This commitment ensures that the gaming industry remains competitive and innovative.
The key points of the agreement are as follows:
- Call of Duty will continue to be available on PlayStation consoles for the next 10 years.
- Microsoft and Sony will collaborate to optimize Call of Duty games for PlayStation consoles.
- Microsoft will continue to invest in Call of Duty and other Activision games.
- This agreement is mutually beneficial for both Microsoft and Sony, and it presents a positive outlook for the future of the gaming industry.
