Elain Brown Tech 02.10.2022 11:Feb AM EST

‘Call of Duty’ Will Become an Xbox Exclusive? Microsoft Xbox Wants More Activision Blizzard Games

Sony's PlayStation expects Activision Blizzard to continue "Call of Duty" despite Microsoft acquiring Activision.

In addition, Microsoft also made it clear that it intends to keep "Call of Duty" on PlayStation.

After Microsoft's $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard hit the news, numerous gaming fans speculated that some of their well-loved games might not be available anymore to their choice of gaming console.

However, Microsoft made it clear that it will not take "Call of Duty" away from PlayStation. Instead, it hopes that, just like Minecraft, it would entice numerous players to switch to Xbox.

Microsoft doesn't just want more Activision Blizzard games, and the company also wants to bring in Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo Switch is something that also interests Microsoft in bringing in their platform.

Having seen success with Minecraft, Microsoft is clearly open to the possibility of Overwatch, World of Warcraft, and Diablo 3 continuing to be available on multiple platforms or expanding elsewhere.

'Call of Duty' in PlayStation

As reported after the acquisition, Microsoft made it clear that popular Activision Blizzard games and "Call of Duty" will continue to be available to PlayStation through the terms of any existing agreement with Activision.

Microsoft then added that they have committed to Sony that the company will "also make them available on PlayStation beyond the existing agreement and into the future so that Sony fans can continue to enjoy the games they love."

Microsoft has stated that it expects the transaction to close within six to 18 months.

However, after two years, Microsoft decided if it would permit the release of "Call of Duty" and other Activision Blizzard titles on PlayStation.

Microsoft Multi Platform Gaming Strategy

In 2014, Microsoft paid $2.5 billion to acquire Mojang, the company that created Minecraft.

The Verge that numerous players were concerned that Microsoft would remove Minecraft from PlayStation during that acquisition. However, Microsoft did the exact opposite and expanded the game's reach.

What Microsoft did is replicated the company's multi-platform nature and released a spin-off game titled Minecraft Dungeons on Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.

If the deal with Activision Blizzard is approved, it appears that Microsoft will do the same for a number of their games in the near future. To avoid regulatory constrictions, Microsoft plans to be more transparent about its business strategy and intentions.

Microsoft won't go full Xbox exclusive for everything. Choosing the most beneficial strategy where it can support multi-platform games is the strategy Microsoft Gaming business is implementing.

Microsoft's Universal App Store

To enable any gamer on any device to access, download, and use any app is the vision Microsoft is creating, according to Microsoft president Brad Smith in an interview with CNBC.

The extremely ambitious concept is that this next-generation store would be compatible with consoles, PCs, and even mobile devices.

Unfortunately, their rival company Apple currently has App Store policies that prohibit rival stores from being installed on iPhones and iPads, effectively preventing Microsoft's vision from becoming a reality.

Microsoft has long been putting effort to pressure regulators to open up Apple's App Store. If this succeeds, gamers and everyday users will benefit from its Office productivity apps.