Activision Blizzard games will continue to be released on PlayStation and Switch “beyond existing agreements,” according to Microsoft.
Microsoft has confirmed in a blog post that they will continue to release popular Activision Blizzard titles such as Call Of Duty on existing platforms.
Following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, some speculated that the company might go console exclusive with new games, but it appears that Microsoft has stayed true to its inclusive stance.
President Brad Smith addressed concerns that popular titles will no longer be available on competing consoles in a piece published to explain how the company will change to gain regulatory approval for its Activision Blizzard takeover by stating:
”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. And 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.”
Smith went on to assure Nintendo users:
” We are also interested in taking similar steps to support Nintendo’s successful platform. We believe this is the right thing for the industry, for gamers, and for our business.”
Microsoft will maintain the ability to make Activision Blizzard titles exclusive if it so desires; however, it appears that this will not be the case with larger releases like Call of Duty.
Microsoft, and particularly Phil Spencer, has always believed that exclusivity isn’t the ideal business strategy, and has differed from Sony on this issue.
To reiterate this point Smith said in his statement:
“Too much friction exists today between creators and gamers; app store policies and practices on mobile devices restrict what and how creators can offer games and what and how gamers can play them. Our large investment to acquire Activision Blizzard further strengthens our resolve to remove this friction on behalf of creators and gamers alike. We want to enable world-class content to reach every gamer more easily across every platform.”
It is important to note that the FTC is still investigating the takeover over Activision Blizzard by Microsoft in the name of fairness and to make sure that the deal isn’t “monopolizing” the market in any way.