Microsoft to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo, Sony on the spot
Reuters
Published Dec 06, 2022 11:53PM ET
Updated Dec 07, 2022 08:06PM ET
TOKYO (Reuters) - Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has entered into a 10-year commitment to bring the gaming title "Call of Duty" to Nintendo platforms, the chief executive officer of Microsoft Gaming, Phil Spencer, said in a post on Twitter on Wednesday.
The popular first-person shooter series from Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ:ATVI) has been released for some of Nintendo's past consoles, but not for its current-generation hardware Switch (NYSE:SWCH), the Kyoto-based company said.
The announcement comes after Microsoft's planned $69 billion acquisition of the "Call of Duty" maker raised concern among regulators that the deal could stifle competition, with rival Sony (NYSE:SONY) Group Corp criticising the deal and even calling for a regulatory veto.
Microsoft President Brad Smith tweeted: "our acquisition will bring Call of Duty to more gamers and more platforms than ever before ... Any day @Sony wants to sit down and talk, we'll be happy to hammer out a 10-year deal for PlayStation as well"
Earlier this year, Sony's gaming chief Jim Ryan called an offer by Microsoft to keep the "Call of Duty" series on PlayStation for three years after the current agreement "inadequate".
"I think this is an attempt by Microsoft to pressure Sony into signing a deal with Activision and to make it easier for Microsoft to finish and close the deal with Activision," said Serkan Toto, founder of the Kantan Games consultancy.
"It's basically good PR for Microsoft."
Sony officials were not immediately available for comment.
Microsoft competes with Sony and Nintendo in the global video game industry, which saw strong growth in recent years with people spending more time at home because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Shares in Nintendo closed up 0.3% after the Microsoft announcement, outperforming the Nikkei average's 0.7% slide and Sony's 1.3% fall.
(This story has been officially corrected after Nintendo clarified to say "Call of Duty" series has been released for some of its past consoles, but not for Switch, in the second paragraph)
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.