Microsoft: Activision on PlayStation will last past “existing agreement”
Enlarge / Despite the prominent "Xbox" in this image, Microsoft suggests some of these popular Activision titles could persist on PlayStation "into the future." (credit: Microsoft)
Microsoft now says that it has "committed to Sony" that "Call of Duty and other popular Activision titles" will be "available on PlayStation beyond the existing agreement and into the future so that Sony fans can continue to enjoy the games they love." The Xbox maker also says it is "interested in taking similar steps to support Nintendo’s successful platform" following its planned $68.7 billion purchase of the megapublisher.
The announcement comes as part of a blog post outlining a number of "Open App Store principles" Microsoft says are explicitly designed "to address Microsoft's growing role and responsibility as we start the process of seeking regulatory approval in capitals around the world for our acquisition of Activision Blizzard."
The bit about distributing Activision titles to non-Xbox consoles "beyond the existing agreement" is especially relevant here. In the days after Microsoft announced its plans to purchase Activision, statements regarding console exclusivity plans from Activision, Sony, and Microsoft focused on language like "honor[ing] all existing commitments," "abid[ing] by contractual agreements" and "honor[ing] all existing agreements," respectively. Late last month, Bloomberg reported that those existing agreements only covered the next three Call of Duty games planned for release through 2024.