Sony and Microsoft sign 10-year agreement for Call of Duty to stay on PlayStation
Microsoft and Sony have reached a deal to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation consoles following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The agreement is part of the broader push by Microsoft to expand gaming choices for players globally. Xbox boss Phil Spencer says that this deal is a direct result of the deal between Microsoft and Activision, expressing excitement for a future with more gaming choices for players worldwide.
“Today’s announcement is the result of a direct conversation between Microsoft and Sony,” Spencer says. “This deal is a result of the commitment all parties have to supporting the global community and ensuring Call of Duty remains available on PlayStation.”
Microsoft president Brad Smith specifically calls out the company’s commitment to addressing concerns from regulators, developers, and consumers even after the acquisition’s approval.
“This deal, specifically relating to the Call of Duty series and not other Activision games, is part of Microsoft’s efforts to expand gaming choices for players globally,” Microsoft says.
There’s no specific timeline mentioned by Spencer or Smith, but Microsoft has confirmed that it’s a 10-year deal and that it’s exclusively for Call of Duty.
In 2022, Microsoft offered Sony a 5-year deal to keep all existing Activision console titles on PlayStation, including future versions of Call of Duty. Sony rejected this offer, but it appears that Microsoft was willing to negotiate.
Previously, Microsoft offered Sony a 10-year deal for Call of Duty in November 2022. Sony also rejected this offer, but it looks like things eventually worked out.
Microsoft has also signed agreements with various platforms, including Steam, Nintendo, Boosteroid, and Ubitus, to demonstrate that Sony’s concerns about Call of Duty being exclusive to Xbox were unfounded. These agreements reportedly influenced the EU’s decision to approve the acquisition.
As you might recall, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan’s infamous email, which was revealed during FTC hearings, basically dismissed concerns about Call of Duty becoming an Xbox exclusive.
I’m not sure if this deal is a direct response to the FTC ruling or Microsoft’s recent courtroom victory over the watchdog. Either way, Sony may have felt pressure to sign the deal following Microsoft’s recent courtroom victory over the FTC, which cleared the way for the Activision deal to close.
The FTC still has a pending case against the buyout, but its request for a preliminary injunction was rejected, allowing the buyout to proceed. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, which previously rejected the acquisition, is willing to reopen discussions to address concerns and potentially approve the deal.
Either way, I imagine Sony decided that a favorable deal is better than no deal, considering the circumstances and potential outcomes.
Check out everything you need to know about the Microsoft Activision Blizzard deal. You can also read our interview with the creator of Call of Duty, or take a look at some of the best war games on PC.
