Microsoft, Sony enter "binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation" after ABK acquisition
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Another key concern around Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard appears to have been resolved as the former claims it has reached an agreement with rival Sony regarding Call of Duty.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer announced the arrangement via Twitter, writing today that the two platform holders have "signed a binding agreement to keep Call of Duty of PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard."
"We look forward to a future where players globally have more choice to play their favourite games," Spencer added.
Microsoft president Brad Smith also shared the news via Twitter, writing: "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."
There are no details regarding how long this deal lasts, although most of the agreements Microsoft has made in its attempts to win approval for the Activision Blizzard acquisition have been for at least ten years.
Over the past two years, regulators and consumers have expressed concern that Microsoft could make Call of Duty exclusive to the Xbox ecosystem, which would impact competition and potentially damage PlayStation.
Sony was also reportedly concerned that Microsoft might release versions of the popular first-shooter for PlayStation that were somehow inferior or perhaps broken when compared to those release on Xbox.
PlayStation boss Jim Ryan told GamesIndustry.biz last year that Microsoft's
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