What is Call of Duty? What will Sony get after Microsoft agreed to keep it on PlayStation for 10 years

Sony has entered into a ten-year agreement with Microsoft, assuring that the celebrated franchise Call of Duty will remain a part of the PlayStation's gaming catalogue, regardless of Microsoft's looming takeover of Activision Blizzard. Microsoft Gaming's head honcho, Phil Spencer, underlined the binding nature of the pact, which guarantees the presence of Call of Duty on Sony's platform.

This resolution brings closure to a year-long tug-of-war between the two tech behemoths, a tussle that commenced with Microsoft's proposed purchase of Activision Blizzard in January 2022. Microsoft's staggering $68.7 billion bid - the largest in the history of gaming - for Activision Blizzard, the home of high-profile titles such as Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Candy Crush, and more, ignited concerns among industry regulators and Sony. The prospect of key franchises potentially being pulled from the PlayStation platform had rattled Sony. Their acceptance of this decade-long deal, however, soothes these worries, assuring PlayStation users that Call of Duty isn't going anywhere.

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What is Call of Duty?

In the gaming arena, Call of Duty (CoD) is a tour de force, a titan among titles known for its adrenaline-fueled, military-themed action game. The franchise, born in 2003 under Activision and nurtured by developers such as Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer Games, has etched its name in the bedrock of first-person shooters.

The Call of Duty timeline comprises various thematic chapters. The original games, kicked off by "Call of Duty”, plunged players into the throes of World War II, delivering an authentic, immersive warfare experience that set the high production bar for the series.

A pivotal turning point for the franchise arrived with "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare" in 2007. Transitioning from historic warzones to contemporary combat settings, this title elevated the series to new heights, its gripping single-player narrative and competitive multiplayer dynamics heralding a new era for military shooters.

Call of Duty has since ventured across various historical epochs, from "Call of Duty: Black Ops" Cold War backdrop to the futuristic frontier of "Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare." Spin-offs have also been part of its success recipe, introducing the popular Zombies mode and the free-to-play battle royale, "Call of Duty: Warzone."

Over its lifespan, Call of Duty has earned high praise for its robust multiplayer platform and cutting-edge graphics. Yet, it hasn't been exempt from criticism, with some detractors citing its representation of real-world conflicts and its annual release model as points of contention.

Nevertheless, Call of Duty's popularity endures with Modern Warfare's reboot drawing significant attention, the new releases consistently topping charts, and a global player base eagerly anticipating the next thrill ride. The franchise's cross-platform availability, spanning PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, boosts its appeal, a fact underlined by Sony and Microsoft's ten-year pact to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation post-Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Sony's Winning Hand

For Sony, this agreement is nothing short of a coup. Retaining Call of Duty not only ensures that PlayStation users will continue to have access to one of gaming's biggest draws, but also signals Sony's steadfast commitment to its audience. With a vast Call of Duty following already on PlayStation, this move effectively locks in a significant slice of Sony's gaming market.

The deal also puts Sony in a robust position to fend off Microsoft's potential market dominance, preserving the diverse gaming landscape in the process. This is a win not just for Sony, but for the wider gaming industry and its consumers, fostering competition and ensuring the availability of top-tier titles across different platforms.

Sony's initial hesitation over a ten-year Call of Duty agreement, initially proposed by Microsoft in December 2022, stemmed from concerns over potential exclusivity or undermining moves by Microsoft. However, it appears the terms of engagement have evolved, resulting in a pact specifically centred on Call of Duty, assuaging Sony's concerns.

Impact on the Gaming Ecosystem

Microsoft's acquisition has been greenlit by several global regulators, including the European Commission and China. However, it hasn't been entirely smooth sailing. Regulators in the US and UK have raised eyebrows over possible competition roadblocks in the burgeoning cloud gaming arena. To allay these fears, Microsoft vowed to keep Call of Duty and other games accessible on PlayStation and other platforms for ten years. Despite the US Federal Trade Commission's unsuccessful attempt to halt the merger, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority has temporarily shelved proceedings to negotiate with the two companies.