Microsoft has signed a deal to keep Call of Duty – the best-selling video game – alive on the PlayStation console, the Telegraph reported, as the tech giant scrambles to convince regulators. Said to agree to take over the game’s publisher, Activision.
The companies have signed a “binding agreement to retain Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We look forward to a future where gamers worldwide have more choices to play their favorite games.” Am”, tweeted Phil Spencer, who heads it. Xbox, a console owned by the tech giant.
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
Microsoft vice chairman and president Brad Smith also announced: “From day one of this acquisition, we have been committed to addressing the concerns of regulators, platform and game developers, and consumers.”
From Day One of this acquisition, we’ve been committed to addressing the concerns of regulators, platform and game developers, and consumers. Even after we cross the finish line for this deal’s approval, we will remain focused on ensuring that Call of Duty remains available on… https://t.co/hMWjC58wRi
— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) July 16, 2023
England’s Competition and Markets Authority blocked the $69 billion takeover deal because it feared the move could raise game prices and hurt competition.
The deal to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation could further reduce concerns about the acquisition’s impact on competition.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) argued that the deal would hurt consumers whether they play video games on consoles or have subscriptions because Microsoft would have an incentive to shut out competitors such as Sony Group.
To address the FTC’s concerns, Microsoft previously agreed to license “Call of Duty” to competitors, including a 10-year deal with Nintendo, which is at the end of the merger.
