The year 2022 started with a huge headline for the gaming world. Last week Microsoft dropped the bombshell and announced the acquisition of Activision, the publisher behind big game names like Call of Duty.
Some fans have since had concerns that Activision games will no longer be multiplatform games in the future. Now Microsoft official Phil Spencer has something to say on the subject.
Acquisition of Activision
Spencer said in the official announcement: “Over many decades, the studios and teams that make Activision Blizzard have created a tremendous source of joy and respect for billions of people around the world.”
Microsoft was willing to shell out the money to secure the “incredible catalog” of titles under the Activision umbrella. Also, with this move, subsidiaries such as Infinity Ward, Toys for Bob, Treyarch, and others will be integrated into Xbox Game Studios.
With such an earth-shattering change of course for both Activision and Microsoft, it’s hard to say right now what impact it will have on the industry ecosystem.
Activision has heavyweights like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch, and it’s not unreasonable to think that these games could become Xbox and PC exclusives, as Starfield will be. That would come as a surprise though, given how close Call of Duty and PlayStation have been in the past.
Call of Duty
Spencer now has good news for all PlayStation fans and those who want CoD to remain a multiplatform game. He writes the following on Twitter:
“I had good discussions with those responsible at Sony this week. I have reaffirmed our intention to honor all existing agreements after the Activision Blizzard acquisition and our desire to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation. Sony is an important part of our industry and we value our relationship.”
While the purchase will inevitably have consequences for Sony as it competes with Microsoft and its Xbox, Microsoft seems gracious to its competition, at least in this case.
On the other hand, it would not be unlikely that Microsoft would get a huge shit storm and numerous fans would boycott the “Call of Duty” series if it became an Xbox exclusive. But that’s not the case for now.
Here’s the tweet:
Had good calls this week with leaders at Sony. I confirmed our intent to honor all existing agreements upon acquisition of Activision Blizzard and our desire to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation. Sony is an important part of our industry, and we value our relationship.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) January 20, 2022