Long-Awaited Pact Sealed: Microsoft and Sony Secure Deal to Ensure Call of Duty Stays on PlayStation

Sony has reached an agreement with Microsoft to ensure that Call of Duty remains available on PlayStation, following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. After a long battle, Microsoft CEO of Gaming Phil Spencer tweeted about the new “binding agreement.” However, the duration of this deal has not been specified, although Microsoft has previously confirmed 10-year licensing agreements for Call of Duty with Nintendo and Nvidia.

We are pleased to announce that Microsoft and @PlayStation have signed a binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We look forward to a future where players globally have more choice to play their favorite games.

— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) July 16, 2023

Since Microsoft announced its plan to acquire Activision Blizzard, it has been working to address regulatory concerns. Sony, in particular, has been reluctant to agree to the acquisition, arguing that Call of Duty is an integral part of the PlayStation ecosystem. However, a recent FTC hearing revealed that PlayStation boss Jim Ryan believes Call of Duty will continue to be available on PlayStation for years to come.

The deal between Sony and Microsoft comes after a California judge denied the FTC’s request to block the acquisition. The judge stated that the FTC had failed to demonstrate how Microsoft owning Activision Blizzard would harm competition. The U.K., which initially blocked the deal in April, has agreed to pause its legal battle to engage in further negotiations with Microsoft. Microsoft is working to address the concerns raised by the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority, specifically related to Activision Blizzard’s impact on the cloud gaming market.