PlayStation without Call of Duty? Xbox boss comments on the future of the series

The purchase of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft could mean the loss of some lucrative game series, especially for the PlayStation. Above all, Call of Duty is a long-running hit on Sony’s console. Xbox boss Phil Spencer is now responding to the question of the future of CoD. However, the answer leaves a lot of room for interpretation.

Update from January 21, 2022:

Intentions and wishes: Call of Duty will stay with PlayStation for the time being

Call of Duty is one of the most successful video game series in the world and inspires shooter fans on both Xbox and PlayStation. The latter community is now worried about the future of CoD. Xbox boss Phil Spencer gives the all-clear for now. He said via Twitter that he had had “good discussions” with those responsible at Sony, in which he had once again confirmed his intention to maintain existing agreements between Sony and Activision. Microsoft wants Call of Duty to stay on PlayStation.

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Through the words “intent” and “desire” however, these statements remain extremely vague and are ultimately just good intentions and pious wishes. With the purchase of Activision Blizzard will already existing contracts are not simply invalid. The best example of this is the purchase of Bethesda, also by Microsoft. The PlayStation-exclusive Deathloop only appeared on Sony, even after Bethesda’s purchase. However, future releases like Starfield or The Elder Scrolls 6 were only released by Microsoft.

Depending on what the contracts between Sony and Activision look like, Warzone will remain on the PlayStation and maybe that only applies to the main game that will be released this year. It is currently still uncertain how Call of Duty will continue in the future.

Sony is already hitting the takeover where it hurts:

Original report from January 20, 2022:

Call of Duty and Xbox exclusivity: is Microsoft even allowed to do that?

After the announcement that Microsoft wants to buy publisher Activision Blizzard, there are questions after questions. PlayStation players in particular are wondering what will become of games like Call of Duty. Will the popular shooter series soon only be available on Xbox and PC?

Xbox boss Phil Spencer has already emphasized that the communities are not to be dragged away from the PlayStation. (Source: Bloomberg). Still, Microsoft didn’t invest $70 billion not to cash in on Activision’s biggest franchise, Call of Duty. However, the series now enjoys a long tradition as a bestseller on Sony’s consoles and has a large community, not least thanks to Warzone on the PlayStation. Do they all need an Xbox now?

Probably not according to the industry experts Gamesindustry.biz spoke to. David Cole, founder of market research and consulting firm DFC Intelligence, thinks an Xbox exclusive for Call of Duty is unlikely. According to Cole, the deal would never go through because the authorities would hardly allow such a monopoly position. (Source: Gamesindustry). The entire purchase should be under antitrust aspects be checked carefully. DFC Intelligence reiterated this statement via Twitter:

George Jijiashvili from the market research company Omida is more likely to assume that Call of Duty as a trump card will serve in the fight for the CoD fans. Call of Duty, for example, as part of Game Pass, could make it easier for customers to decide between Xbox and PlayStation in the future and make them more likely to reach for the Microsoft console. (Source: Gamesindustry).

The Game Pass will be expanded again in January with some top games:

So CoD fans who call a PlayStation their home can take a deep breath. It remains to be seen what Microsoft intends to do with Activision Blizzard’s games and how this will affect Sony’s consoles.