Microsoft has responded to last month's report from the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) by confirming that Sony will be able to offer Call of Duty on its PlayStation Plus platform in the future, just like on Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft's offer includes Call of Duty being available on both platforms "simultaneously and for the same duration." The CMA expressed concerns about the lack of competition in the console and cloud gaming markets in its investigation into Microsoft's acquisition of Activision and proposed structural measures to address the issue. Microsoft subsequently proposed that competing platforms like Sony will continue to have access to Call of Duty.
Microsoft is meeting its structural measures with additional behavioral measures
The tech giant has proposed some behavioral measures to address the CMA's concerns related to Microsoft's acquisition of Activision. In particular, Microsoft has confirmed that Sony can offer Call of Duty on its PlayStation Plus platform, just like on Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass. This ensures that the platforms strive for a unified and equal release of all Call of Duty titles. In its preliminary findings of the investigation, the CMA had proposed structural changes, including a complete separation of the Call of Duty division. However, Microsoft has relied on behavioral measures to continue to provide access to the game for competing services and console manufacturers while meeting its structural measures.
PlayStation players will soon be able to play Call of Duty with Xbox players
Good news for PlayStation players: they will soon be able to play Call of Duty games on their platform simultaneously and for the same duration as on Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft has already made such deals with NVIDIA (for GeForce Now) and Nintendo (for the Switch) and is now offering the collaboration to Sony. In December last year, it was reported that Microsoft had made this offer to Sony. Now, Microsoft has confirmed that both platforms will have simultaneous access to Call of Duty games, which is an exciting opportunity for PlayStation players to enjoy the game on their console.
Microsoft's offer to Sony could finally convince the CMA
Microsoft's new proposals could mean the end of Sony's rejection of the takeover before the CMA, whose Phase 2 investigation into Microsoft's planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard will soon reach its legal deadline on April 26, 2023. So, we will see how this matter progresses in the future. Stay tuned with Keyfuchs for updates!
