Overview

Microsoft and Sony Interactive Entertainment have signed a “binding agreement” to keep the Call of Duty series on PlayStation following Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, announced Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer. It is unclear whether there is a limit to this agreement, as the company had previously offered Sony Interactive Entertainment a 10-year deal, which Sony Interactive Entertainment president and CEO Jim Ryan called “inadequate on many levels.” (Update: Microsoft has confirmed it is a 10-year deal that only covers Call of Duty.)

The Agreement

“We have signed a binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard,” Spencer said. “We look forward to a future where players globally have more choice to play their favorite games.”

Microsoft’s Commitment

Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith added, “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.”

Legal Battle and Global Scale

Microsoft was recently awarded the right to close its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in the United States following a legal battle with the Federal Trade Commission. The Commission attempted to appeal the court’s decision, but was denied. The only major hurdle that remains in closing the deal on a global scale is whether it is able to come to an agreement with the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority, which moved to block the acquisition in April.