Xbox vs. PlayStation
Sony and Microsoft have reached a 10-year agreement to keep the Call of Duty franchise on PlayStation following Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The deal puts an end to a year-long battle between the two companies, both publicly and privately.
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
While Microsoft's initial announcement did not mention the 10-year commitment, it has been confirmed by Xbox's head of global communications. This agreement is similar to Microsoft's 10-year deal with Nintendo and other cloud gaming platforms. Sony had previously resisted signing a deal with Microsoft, fearing that the company would make Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox or harm the PlayStation versions of the game.
However, an email from PlayStation's chief revealed that he was not concerned about exclusivity and believed Call of Duty would continue to be available on PlayStation. The deal comes after months of discussions and counteroffers between Microsoft and Sony over the future of Activision content on PlayStation. The fate of Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal is currently being examined by regulators in the UK, with a final order expected by August 29th.
Source: Twitter