If PlayStation has often highlighted the performance of Call of Duty on its store in the past (WWII, Black Ops 4 and Modern Warfare were entitled to the same distinctions in 2017, 2018 and 2019), the tweet this time has a very particular flavor to it. when Sony and Microsoft are tearing themselves apart before the competition authority over the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. An acquisition which, in the event of a green light, would in particular give Microsoft the possibility of doing what it wishes with “the best-selling franchise on PlayStation“, as can be read on the back of the jacket.
And if Phil Spencer assures that he does not intend to withdraw this popular franchise from PlayStation players at first (Microsoft also argues that this gesture would constitute a significant economic loss for Activision), this delicate attention is only valid for years, as confirmed by documents published by the CMA, the British regulator in charge of competition.
Phil Spencer’s latest statement on the subject at the microphone of the Wall Street Journal is worth its weight in gold in terms of ambiguity. “Our intention is to continue distributing Call of Duty on PlayStation for as long as it makes sense.“, launched the boss of Microsoft Gaming. And of course, Microsoft will be the only one who can determine from when and why publishing Call of Duty on the rival console will no longer make sense.
In the same interview, Phil Spencer also claimed that Microsoft’s real motivation would lie less in getting their hands on the Call of Duty console ecosystem than in being able to exploit… Call of Duty on mobile . The mobile, again reminds Phil Spencer, is seen as the new Eldorado to ensure Microsoft’s growth in video games. Beyond the money generated daily by King’s Candy Crush, Microsoft intends to carve out a place for itself on iOS and Android by offering its own licenses (Age of Empires Mobile was recently announced) and those of Activision Blizzard which has already started the big maneuvers (Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, Diablo Immortal, Warcraft Arclight Rumble).