The Sony-Microsoft Deal: Call of Duty Will Continue to Thrive on PlayStation

In a surprising turn of events, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan, who initially resisted the deal, has finally signed an agreement with Microsoft that ensures the popular Call of Duty franchise will continue to be available on PlayStation.

The Sony and Microsoft Call of Duty Deal Spans a Decade

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

The agreement was announced via a tweet from Xbox CEO Phil Spencer, stating that they have signed a “binding agreement” to ensure Call of Duty’s presence on PlayStation after the completion of Activision’s acquisition. While Spencer did not mention the duration of the agreement, Sony confirmed to Axios that the deal covers a period of 10 years.

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

Microsoft’s President, Brad Smith, emphasized their commitment to addressing concerns raised by regulators, platform and game developers, and consumers. He expressed their dedication to ensuring that Call of Duty reaches more platforms and consumers than ever before.

The Resolution of a Long-standing Dispute

The deal between Sony and Microsoft comes after a series of public and private disputes. Sony expressed concerns that Microsoft would undermine the PlayStation version of Call of Duty. Jim Ryan publicly criticized an initial version of the deal, calling it “inadequate on many levels”.

During an email exchange revealed in court, Ryan dismissed a list of games shared by Spencer, considering it insignificant as it comprised primarily older titles. While the initial offer was for a 10-year agreement, Sony rejected it. However, private emails from Ryan that emerged during the trial contradicted his public statements, revealing his belief that Call of Duty would remain on PlayStation for years to come.

Under oath, Phil Spencer confirmed that Call of Duty would continue to be available on PlayStation, reiterating his commitment to keeping the game accessible to players on Sony’s PlayStation 5. The slight mention of PlayStation 5 specifically may have been unintentional, as Spencer’s recent tweet regarding the deal refers to “PlayStation” in general.

It appears highly likely that the Activision acquisition will proceed, as a U.S. judge ruled in favor of Microsoft against the Federal Trade Commission. This may have influenced Sony’s decision to finally reach an agreement regarding Call of Duty. However, the Competition and Markets Authority and its concerns over cloud gaming still pose potential obstacles that could delay or modify the deal in certain regions.