Microsoft has sealed a deal with Nintendo to bring the Call of Duty franchise to the Japanese gaming giant’s platforms for the next decade. This means that Call of Duty games will be available on Nintendo Switch, although it’s unclear if this includes this year’s entry. While the acquisition of Activision by Microsoft is not yet complete, the deal is bound to heat up the antitrust debate, putting pressure on Sony’s objections to the acquisition. Let’s dive deeper into what this all means.
Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith, announced the groundbreaking deal on social media, stating that it brings full feature and content parity with Xbox and PlayStation, giving Nintendo players the same experience as their counterparts. Smith also emphasized the long-term commitment to equal access to Call of Duty on various gaming platforms, creating more competition and player choice in the gaming market.
There’s no doubt that the agreement between Microsoft and Nintendo puts Sony in a tight spot, especially given the popularity of the Call of Duty franchise. One of the main objections to the acquisition is the possible damage to competition by making Call of Duty exclusive to Microsoft’s platforms. However, the deal with Nintendo throws a curveball in Sony’s argument, and it remains to be seen what the antitrust regulators will make of it.
While the details of the deal have not been disclosed, it’s likely that it extends beyond the current Nintendo Switch console. Nintendo hasn’t announced any news about its hybrid console’s successors, but it’s expected to release a new one before the ten-year deal expires. It’s also speculated that the acquisition of Activision by Microsoft needs to go through to become effective, given that the deal is between Microsoft and Nintendo and not between Activision and Nintendo.
Microsoft and Activision’s acquisition aims to close the deal by July 2023, and the deal with Nintendo adds another interesting element to the mix. Call of Duty fans on Nintendo platforms can now rejoice, as they will soon be able to experience the game in all its glory.
