The soap opera of the purchase of Activision by microsoft is far from over and, having the possibility of torpedoing the operation, from Sony They seem willing to do everything possible to cast doubt on the feasibility of the purchase.
The main reason for the disagreement between the two greats in the sector is, how could it be otherwise, the potential of Call of Duty as a pillar in the sales of both platforms. Jim Ryan, head of PlayStationconsiders “insufficient“the agreement proposed by microsoft.
The agreement between Microsoft and Sony for Call of Duty
Although Phil Spencer commented at the time that the intention of microsoft was keep the game on PlayStationnow Ryan assures in Games Industry that the proposal is limited to only three more years with respect to the previously closed agreement between Sony Y Activision.
“I had no intention of commenting on what I believe to be a private business, but feel the need to clarify as Phil Spencer has taken this to a public level.
Microsoft has only offered Call of Duty to remain on PlayStation for three years beyond the end of the deal between Activision and Sony.
After almost 20 years of Call of Duty on PlayStation, their proposal was insufficient on many levels and has failed to take into account the impact on our players. We want to ensure that PlayStation gamers continue to have access to the highest quality Call of Duty experience, and the Microsoft deal undermines this principle.”
In recent months, the clashes between both companies over the FPS franchise have broken that aura of cronyism that seemed to have enveloped them in recent years, with Sony affirming that franchising is essential to maintain market stability and microsoft ensuring that it would not be profitable to maintain Call of Duty as an exclusive.
Although at the time it was noted that the initial agreement lasted until 2024, and these three additional years would guarantee the continuity of the saga until 2027the terms of the agreement that Sony kept with Activision and the closing date of the same, as well as those details that would guarantee the aforementioned “highest quality Call of Duty experience“and the terms of the deal that according to Jim Ryan would break that level.
It’s easy to guess that last point is tied to temporary exclusives, betas, and early release of new maps on PlayStationbut in the absence of Ryan or Spencer continuing to pull the thread, for now they are simple speculation.