Microsoft has secured a deal with Sony to maintain the Call Of Duty series on PlayStation after the merger. This comes days after Microsoft won the FTC’s challenge to its acquisition of Activision Blizzard and one day before its scheduled meeting with the UK’s CMA.
The arrangement was announced via Twitter by Microsoft CEO Phil Spencer, who claims that both parties “have signed a binding agreement” to keep the popular first-person shooter franchise available for PlayStation platforms.”We look forward to a future where players globally have more choice to play their favorite games.” The tweet continued,Â
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
Just days after a California judge ruled in favor of Microsoft against the FTC, the deal was made which prevented the FTC from slowing down Microsoft from buying Activision Blizzard. The FTC’s appeal was also turned down.
Microsoft hasn’t just had to deal with the FTC; the UK’s CMA has also expressed its worries as it examines the agreement’s conditions. Early this week, Microsoft and the CMA are supposed to meet. No additional information, including the term of the contract, which has been rumored to be 10 years, has been made public regarding the Call of Duty agreement with Sony. Activision Blizzard’s sale to Microsoft is expected to be completed as soon as this week, if failing to do so before July 18 would subject the business to a $3 billion “breakup fee” or require it to negotiate an extension.
