Today, Microsoft made a groundbreaking announcement that could be a win-win for gamers across the world. The tech giant revealed that it had finalised a 10-year agreement to launch Call of Duty onto Nintendo platforms “on the same day as Xbox, with full feature and content parity”. If the Microsoft’s current $68.7 billion bid to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard goes through, the move could usher in a new era of gaming opportunities.
The agreement had been hinted at earlier, with Xbox boss Phil Spencer saying there would be a 10-year “commitment” to bring Call of Duty to the Nintendo Switch in December. Microsoft also tried to implement the same deal to PlayStation in a bid to assuage any competition worries, but with little success.
This morning, Microsoft president Brad Smith confirmed the Nintendo deal on Twitter, appearing to indicate a much wider agreement between the two companies “to bring Xbox games to Nintendo’s gamers” and “Activision titles like Call of Duty to more players on more platforms”. Microsoft subsequently confirmed the full details of the deal in an official statement.
Interestingly, there is still yet to be an exact date pinpointed when the agreement may begin, nor is it known which Nintendo hardware Microsoft is referring to. If the deal for Activision Blizzard clinches in 2021 and the subsequent agreement with Nintendo begins in 2024, the current Switch tide has been expected to be replaced by then.
Microsoft and the European Commission will likely meet today behind closed doors in Brussels to discuss the legal implications of the agreement as well as any other issues raised. The EU is expected to pass their decision on the deal in April.
The news is surely an exciting development for gamers everywhere; however, it is important to note that the success of the agreement is dependent on Microsoft’s bid for Activision Blizzard going through. Nonetheless, this appears to be a move that could benefit gamers of all platforms, albeit fans of the Switch or Wii console will potentially have to wait until 2024 if the deal goes ahead.
Microsoft’s announcement has surely driven much conversation regarding the potential implications of the agreement, from Activision fans to Nintendo gamers alike. How do you feel about the possibility of Call of Duty coming to Nintendo platforms? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
