Microsoft and Sony agree to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation for next decade amid Activision Blizzard acquisition

Microsoft and Sony have reached an agreement to keep Call of Duty games accessible on PlayStation consoles for the next decade. This move is a significant step towards Microsoft's completion of its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The news was confirmed by Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, via a tweet stating that a binding agreement has been signed between the two tech giants.

The initial proposal from Microsoft to Sony in January 2022 included maintaining all existing Activision console titles on Sony, including future versions of the Call of Duty franchise or any other current Activision franchise on Sony until December 31, 2027. However, the terms of the deal have since been revised, extending the agreement to a ten-year period, but solely for the Call of Duty series.

This agreement signifies the conclusion of a lengthy impasse where Microsoft had consistently made public offers to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation. Sony, in response, had previously attempted to use its influence with regulators to undermine Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The signing of this agreement indicates that Sony has effectively ceased its opposition to the acquisition.