One of the major concerns from Sony amidst Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard was that its competitor might keep the popular Call of Duty franchise exclusive to Xbox systems. But after Microsoft has recently won the case against the merger from going forward, Phil Spencer has announced in a tweet that they will keep the game on PlayStation systems.

"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," Spencer's tweet reads. "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

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While the two companies have a binding agreement, it is not clear if this is for a specified period and whether CoD will eventually become an Xbox-exclusive. However, this new arrangement appears to bring the disagreements between Sony and Microsoft on this issue to a close.

SOURCE

 

[urbanman2004]

M$, let's go...

 

[LightBeam]

Nooooo that would have been so funny !!!

But I don't care, if it's on gamepass I'm fine as long as I don't have to pay for the yearly game

 

[stanleyopar2000]

It really is a no brainer to make sure COD is on PlayStation. Microtransactions and more players to engage with

 

[Viorlu]

Nice! Finally!

 

[Kioku]

I mean.. They've been saying they're more than happy to do this from the get go... This isn't really surprising, but it's good to see that MS is holding up their end.. Wonder what their ulterior is..

 

[mightymuffy]

..It was only a couple of weeks ago Jim Ryan said he wouldn't allow Activision PS6 access should the purchase go through (Link), wonder if that's still gonna be the case..

 

[Kevbo]

Sony Right Now:

Console Wars Episode V: The Big Boy Microsoft Strikes Back.

The Force is strong with this collaboration

 

[Lather]

so that means ms originally want COD only on xbox?

 

[eyeliner]

I find these times amazing. A game from a competitor on other platforms.

And doesn't prevent me to give a note of incompetence to Sony, as the games are going to bring profit to their direct competitor, while basically saying that they don't have a decent competitor to a bang-bang shooter.

And what if MS decides to kill Call of Duty and call it Call of Dick? Would the bargain still stand?

Because apparently its for a single franchise, and it can die in one day, being rebranded in the next...

 

[evilone]

I would really lol so hard if COD would disappear from PS.. but to be honest its to much cash cow, im pretty sure MS did there home work..

 

[ZeroT21]

And here I was expecting a UFC fight between the CEOs to settle it

 

[hippy dave]

Oh thank god I can keep never ever playing Call of Doody games on my PlayStation

 

[Godofcheese]

Microsoft is the big winner here (no shit), they get the revenue from the sales + potential cut of the cash Sony was meant to get
The cut usually is 30% for stores when they sell something, but how much do Sony get to keep, 10? 15? 20?
or did Sony pay money upfront, like paying for a license to sell the games on Playstation
Sure, stuff like this we won't get to know as it's probably classified in the deal

 

[HellGhast]

I don't give a flying f*ck about Call of Doodie:Modern Bore-fare.

What about StarField or Elder Scrolls 6 ?

 

[Xzi]

Great, enjoy your annual $70 casual games, CoD fans. I just want THPS and Diablo 4 on Steam.

 

[MariArch]

yay for corporate consolidation

 

[Xzi]

What about StarField or Elder Scrolls 6 ?

Starfield looks almost as boring as CoD, but you'll have to buy a PC or Xbox if you want to experience it in all its 30 FPS "glory" early on. My bet's on Microsoft releasing Bethesda games two or three years later on PS5 though, no point in losing out on that revenue altogether.

 

[eriol33]

COD is probably gonna be Xbox exclusive in the next generation. not that i care since i don't play them.

 

[Xzi]

COD is probably gonna be Xbox exclusive in the next generation. not that i care since i don't play them.

It's a legally binding contract, I'm guessing for ten years since that's the same deal they gave Nintendo. There's zero benefit to keeping games exclusive these days, takes a while for consumers to adopt new consoles and Steam has more monthly active users than any of the big three anyway.