When Microsoft announced its intention to buy Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, it didn’t take long for the industry to realize that if the purchase was approved, Call of Duty will arrive on Xbox Game Pass. Although this would be the main goal of those from Redmond, there is a previous agreement between Sony and Activision that will make this important step more difficult.; at least in the short term…
Through the regulatory process being undertaken by various countries regarding the Microsoft purchase offer, we have been able to uncover information that is rarely made public. In the document that collects VGKAmerican company mentions:
“The agreement between Activision Blizzard and Sony includes restrictions on Activision Blizzard’s ability to host Call of Duty games on Game Pass for several years.”
Therefore, even if regulators give the green light to buy Microsoft Activision, the latest unable to launch games Call of Duty on Xbox Game Pass. The reason is very simple: there is a legal contract that must be respected.
In fact, Microsoft is no stranger to situations like this. When they bought Bethesda, the publisher was developing death loop, a PS5 exclusive temporary title. Consequently, they were forced to honor the agreement signed between Sony and Bethesda. When Call of Duty exactly the same should have happened.
What we don’t know is what the deadline agreed between Sony and Activision is. Those who were led by Phil Spencer, unfortunately, did not name a specific time.
Perhaps another question you have right now: Why is Sony intervening in a franchise like Call of Duty? For several years, especially since the previous generation, both companies have been collaborating to promote shooter on the PlayStation platform. It is for this reason that in recent years Call of Duty they usually offer PS4 and PS5 exclusive content. Without going into details, beta version Modern Warfare 2 it was previously playable on Sony consoles.
Be careful, it wasn’t always like this. Back in the days of the Xbox 360 and part of the Xbox One generation, it was Microsoft who partnered with Activision to Call of Duty. The problem is that the Xbox One had a much lower sales rate than expected and Activision preferred to go to the house across the street.
By making this restriction public, Microsoft no doubt hopes that the CMA, the UK regulator, will lessen its concerns about Microsoft’s future. Call of Duty. At least initially we won’t see it in Xbox Game Pass.
Source: Hiper Textual
