Xbox Has Signed a ‘Binding Agreement’ to Keep Call of Duty on PlayStation After Its Acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Xbox head Phil Spencer has revealed that Microsoft and PlayStation have “signed a binding agreement to continue Call of Duty on PlayStation after the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.”
Spencer took twitter We announced this news and shared that we look forward to a future where players will have more choices about where they play their games.
with Microsoft @PlayStation We have signed a binding contract to continue Call of Duty on PlayStation after the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We look forward to a future where players around the world have more options to play their favorite games.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) July 16, 2023
“We are pleased to announce that Microsoft and PlayStation have entered into a binding agreement to continue Call of Duty on PlayStation after the acquisition of Activision Blizzard,” Spencer wrote. “We look forward to a future where players around the world have more options to play their favorite games.”
Spencer didn’t provide details about the “binding agreement,” so it’s unclear exactly how long or what it will consist of. However, this follows Microsoft’s FTC lawsuit, in which Spencer said he would “do whatever it takes” to keep Call of Duty alive on the PlayStation.
“I stand here and pledge not to pull Call of Duty from PlayStation. This is my testimony,” Spencer added. “Like you said, Sony obviously has to allow us to ship games on their platform. But without that, I’m playing Call of Duty on Sony’s PlayStation 5. I promise and testify that I will continue to ship future versions of
In December 2022, Microsoft proposed to Sony to keep “Call of Duty” on PlayStation for 10 years, and Sony has the right to put “Call of Duty” on PlayStation Plus if desired. reportedly had. It remains to be seen if it was an agreement the two companies agreed to or if things have changed since then.
It’s just another way Microsoft is working to allow it to finally close the $68.7 billion deal and appease groups like the FTC and CMA that have opposed it. However, the deadline for this contract is July 18th, so time is ticking. If no deal is struck by then, Xbox will have to pay Activision Blizzard $3 billion and the two companies will renegotiate the terms of the merger.
For more, see our full trial rundown on the Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, and FTC lawsuits, and why FTC officials were recently accused of wasting taxpayer money on Xbox verdict appeals.
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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @Adam Bankhurst and further Twitching.
