Phil Spencer Wrote A Letter To PlayStation Boss That Call Of Duty Will Remain Multiplatform For “Several Years” After Deal Finishes, The Verge Reports

In the greater scheme of things regarding the Activision Blizzard deal, September appeared to be a very energetic time for those working out the acquisition deal for Microsoft. According to one report made back in July, the FTC appeared to be concluding on its own internal investigation on Microsoft for the purchase and September was the sweet spot for the Xbox firm to find the beginning of the finish line. 

However, that was until a new report came from gamesindustry.biz sharing that The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is pursuing its own probe on the acquisition. Following the story, word broke that this is due to concerns of Microsoft blocking IPs like Call of Duty from reaching other platforms once the deal is done. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer responded with a press release stating that to be far from the case.

According to a new report done by The Verge, Spencer makes a statement revealing he sent a letter to Sony Interactive Entertainment President & CEO Jim Ryan that the deal would resume sales for the Call of Duty franchise on PlayStation for years following the deal. “In January, we provided a signed agreement to Sony to guarantee Call of Duty on PlayStation, with feature and content parity, for at least several more years beyond the current Sony contract, an offer that goes well beyond typical gaming industry agreements.”

Previously, Microsoft did confirm that its plans for Activision Blizzard following the deal being fulfilled would be to honor any arrangements the publisher had with Sony Interactive Entertainment. This meant we would see at least the next two installments for the franchise being honored well unto 2025. But beyond that, Microsoft is not obligated to ship installments following on PlayStation.

But, as Spencer said, the arrangement he wrote in the letter lists Microsoft to continue shipping the game on PlayStation beyond the contractual deal with Activision. Could that mean the game could inevitably be unique to Xbox sometime in the far future? Theoretically yes, however, Microsoft main ambition from the deal is to bolster Xbox Game Pass and further establish its roots in PC & mobile gaming which Activision laid out already.

One of Microsoft’s biggest influences on Call of Duty since the announcement of the deal is the IP skipping a release year. For more than a decade, a new entry has shipped. But with Microsoft overseeing operation to create a better work culture at the publisher, Activision could be setting aside this tradition moving forward. You can read the full report by heading here.

Are you surprised by Spencer’s statement to Jim Ryan?

Source: The Verge