Microsoft (MSFT) has announced an agreement with Sony (SNE) to ensure that the popular game franchise “Call of Duty” will continue to be available on PlayStation even after Microsoft’s (MSFT) $69 billion merger with Activision Blizzard (ATVI). This move aims to address Sony’s concerns about potential competition issues resulting from the merger. Sony has not yet responded to the agreement.
Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s Xbox head, expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, stating in a tweet, “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.”
Related: Activision Blizzard acquisition deal with Microsoft to be Ceased by FTC Antitrust Lawsuit
Microsoft President Brad Smith emphasized their commitment to addressing concerns and expanding accessibility to Call of Duty, stating in a tweet, “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 more platforms and for more consumers than ever before.”
Microsoft faces a contractual deadline of July 18 to complete the merger with Activision, although both companies may choose to extend the timeframe if needed.
Recent court victories have favored Microsoft, with a federal district court and a US appeals court declining to temporarily block the merger. The Federal Trade Commission had argued for a preliminary injunction to prevent potential harm to video game consumers, claiming that Microsoft could withhold “Call of Duty” and other popular titles from competing consoles and cloud gaming services. However, the courts ruled against the injunction.
Read the news in detail at cnn.com
