You may have heard that Microsoft has recently sought to acquire Activision Blizzard.
The deal would mean iconic gaming properties – most notably for this story, the Call of Duty franchise – as Microsoft-owned IPs.
Naturally, this hasn’t sat well with Sony’s Jim Ryan.
In a statement sent to GamesIndustry.biz, Ryan noted;
“By giving Microsoft control of Activision games like Call of Duty, this deal would have major negative implications for gamers and the future of the gaming industry”.
GamesIndustry.biz
The argument is that Call of Duty is a console shifter; it’s a series that is as synonymous with the industry as Mario or Sonic.
And for that to be under Microsoft’s control – and, theoretically, could become an Xbox exclusive – is worrying for those outside of the Xbox bubble.
However, Xbox’s Phil Spencer rebutted the idea that PlayStation users would miss out;
“To be clear, Microsoft will continue to make Call of Duty and other popular Activision Blizzard titles available on PlayStation through the term of any existing agreement with Activision.
…We have committed to Sony that we will also make them available on PlayStation beyond the existing agreement and into the future so that Sony fans can continue to enjoy the games they love”.
The Verge
However, Ryan then rebutted this claim, noting;
“Microsoft has only offered for Call of Duty to remain on PlayStation for three years after the current agreement between Activision and Sony ends.
After almost 20 years of Call of Duty on PlayStation, their proposal was inadequate on many levels and failed to take account of the impact on our gamers.
We want to guarantee PlayStation gamers continue to have the highest quality Call of Duty experience, and Microsoft’s proposal undermines this principle”.
GamesIndustry.biz
And then, in a rebuttal to this rebuttal, Phil Spencer added a statement to Eurogamer, saying;
“It makes zero business sense for Microsoft to remove Call of Duty from PlayStation given its market-leading console position”.
Eurogamer
Obviously, this is all unprecedented for the industry, and there are a lot of spinning plates in the air right now with it all.
Activision will continue to make Call of Duty games, that’s a given.
It’s just where they will appear and for how much longer is the question.
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ABG’s Senior Editor (News), YouTube content creator/streamer.