{"id":5057,"date":"2022-01-21T11:41:06","date_gmt":"2022-01-21T11:41:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/01\/21\/how-will-microsofts-activision-blizzard-buy-impact-sony\/"},"modified":"2022-01-21T11:41:06","modified_gmt":"2022-01-21T11:41:06","slug":"how-will-microsofts-activision-blizzard-buy-impact-sony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/01\/21\/how-will-microsofts-activision-blizzard-buy-impact-sony\/","title":{"rendered":"How Will Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Buy Impact Sony?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Microsoft\u2019s decision to buy Activision Blizzard has raised questions regarding what kind of support Sony PlayStation customers can expect in the future. Microsoft\u2019s treatment of Bethesda after it bought that studio doesn\u2019t suggest great outcomes for current PlayStation 5 owners. The situation is clearly in flux. At least one franchise \u2014 Call of Duty \u2014 seems likely to remain on PS5, at least for now.<\/p>\n

Microsoft played coy regarding its plans for some months after it bought Bethesda, but it clarified things last year when it declared that games like the Elder Scrolls VI would be Xbox and PC-only. Previously, some had hoped that only new IPs like Bethesda\u2019s Starfield would be locked to Xbox. It was hoped that series that had traditionally been cross-platform would stay that way.<\/p>\n

With ZeniMax, Microsoft chose to uphold contracts it had previously signed, but not to make further cross-platform guarantees. Deathloop and GhostWire \u2014 two games in development when MS bought ZeniMax and that Sony contracted as console exclusives \u2014 will remain PS5-only. Games like the Elder Scrolls Online, which launched for multiple platforms, will apparently stay that way. But thus far, Microsoft has given no sign that it intends to launch new ZeniMax IPs for PS5.<\/p>\n

Sony Expects Support<\/h3>\n

\u201cWe expect that Microsoft will abide by contractual agreements and continue to ensure Activision games are multiplatform,\u201d a Sony spokesman told The Wall Street Journal<\/em> on Thursday. Microsoft probably will. It\u2019s not in the company\u2019s best interests to pick fights with rival companies over contract terms when it\u2019s trying to close high-value acquisitions.<\/p>\n

This is where Call of Duty comes in. A tweet from Phil Spencer indicates the franchise will remain multiplatform and available to PlayStation 5 gamers, at least for now:<\/p>\n

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Had good calls this week with leaders at Sony. I confirmed our intent to honor all existing agreements upon acquisition of Activision Blizzard and our desire to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation. Sony is an important part of our industry, and we value our relationship.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) January 20, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

But even this is not as clear as it might be. Spencer makes two separate statements. 1). MS will honor all existing agreements. 2). Microsoft \u201cdesires\u201d to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation 5.<\/p>\n

These are not the same thing. Announcing that Microsoft will keep pre-existing agreements is the right thing to do, but it isn\u2019t surprising to see. The company has been keeping those agreements already, at least as far as the public knows. Games that were commissioned as PS5 exclusives at ZeniMax will stay that way. Sony appears to have signed some long-term marketing agreements with Activision a few years back<\/a>. We don\u2019t know how long those agreements run for or what they cover.<\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s hear it for unexpected synergy! Image by @PaigeHix<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

As for the idea that Microsoft \u201cdesires\u201d to keep CoD on the PlayStation 5, Activision isn\u2019t going to suggest dropping support for Sony\u2019s platform just for fun. The question is, what are the factors that might lead to CoD not being supported on future PlayStation systems once existing agreements run out? What does Microsoft want from Sony and what is Sony willing to offer in the future?<\/p>\n

Reshaping the Games Industry<\/h3>\n

ZeniMax and Activision Blizzard are the two large publishers in Microsoft\u2019s new back catalog, but the company also owns 343 Industries, The Coalition, Mojang, Ninja Theory, Obsidian, Rare, and InExile Entertainment. This means Microsoft could authorize a Fallout title jointly developed by Obsidian and Bethesda. But it also means that Microsoft now commands the future of a number of major gaming franchises, including Overwatch, Diablo, Starcraft, World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, Fallout, Gears of War, and Wolfenstein. Some of these have long been associated with Microsoft, but many have been cross-platform.<\/p>\n

Microsoft\u2019s purchase of Activision Blizzard will meaningfully change which franchises are available on future platforms. The impact this will have on PC gamers, however, is unclear.<\/p>\n

PC gamers are the arguable beneficiaries of Sony and Microsoft\u2019s mutual desire to claim cross-platform support. Both companies view the PC as a less direct competitor and are more willing to port software to it. That seems unlikely to change regardless of what Microsoft\u2019s plans are for future software compatibility.<\/p>\n

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