Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer announced in a tweet on Sunday that they have reached an agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This deal not only addresses concerns about the acquisition’s impact on competition but also demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to providing the game on multiple platforms for a wider audience.
In a separate tweet, Microsoft President Brad Smith stated, “Even after the deal is approved, our focus will remain on ensuring that Call of Duty continues to be accessible on various platforms and reaches more consumers than ever before.”
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had raised concerns that this acquisition would negatively affect consumers who play video games on consoles or have subscriptions, as Microsoft could potentially exclude competitors like Sony Group. To address these concerns, Microsoft had agreed to license Call of Duty to rivals, including a 10-year contract with Nintendo, which would be implemented upon the completion of the merger.
Initially announced in January 2022, Microsoft’s bid to acquire Activision aimed to rival Tencent and Sony. Both Tencent and Sony had previously signed 10-year licensing deals to bring Call of Duty to their gaming platforms if the Activision deal was approved. However, Microsoft’s recent decision allows Call of Duty to remain on PlayStation. Additionally, Spain’s Nware has signed a 10-year agreement to bring Xbox and Activision Blizzard games to their Spanish cloud-gaming platform.
It is worth noting that Brazil, Chile, Serbia, and Saudi Arabia have already given unconditional approval to the deal.
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