Microsoft Confirms Call of Duty Will Stay On PlayStation
Microsoft might be sitting pretty after its record-breaking acquisition of Activision Blizzard, but with questions over what will happen to Call of Duty, the Xbox overlord has finally confirmed it won't be going console exclusive.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer had already said Call of Duty wouldn't become an Xbox exclusive, but now, it's become gospel. Don't worry PlayStation fans, your yearly dose of first-person mayhem with your favourite franchise is safe.
Is Call Of Duty Going Console Exclusive?
An official Microsoft blog confirms Call of Duty won't be jumping ship when current contracts expire. The statement explains that it's clear there have been questions about the franchise's future. "The obvious concern is that Microsoft could make this title available exclusively on the Xbox console, undermining opportunities for Sony PlayStation users," says the statement.
"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....
"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. 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."
Could Call of Duty Go Console Exclusive?
Click to enlargeWhile this seems like a pretty definitive answer, the question remains on how much longer Microsoft will stick to its word. The implication is that Microsoft is making sure the Federal Trade Comission will authorise the deal. There were worries that governing body could block the move for fear of a Microsoft monopoly, so this is one way to assure the acquisition goes ahead.
Even if CoD is safe, we can't guarantee that other big Activision Blizzard names like Overwatch and World of Warcraft will be sticking with PlayStation. As for Crash Bandicoot, it looks like he's about to be shackled to the Xbox. At least Frank Woods gets the best of both worlds.
