Sony questions Microsoft's trustworthiness in keeping Call of Duty multiplatform
Introduction
In a world where console exclusives reign supreme, Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media and subsequently Bethesda has sparked a heated debate between the tech giant and its rival, Sony.
Sony's concerns
Initially, Microsoft stated that it had no intention of making Bethesda games console exclusives, but with the announcement that both Starfield and Elder Scrolls will be Xbox console exclusives, Sony is pointing to Starfield as evidence that Microsoft might not be entirely trustworthy when it comes to keeping Call of Duty multiplatform.
Sony's concern is that if Microsoft can make Starfield a console exclusive, they may do the same with Call of Duty. This has led to speculation that Call of Duty may not be available on PlayStation consoles in the future. Just last week, Sony suggested that Microsoft could release an unoptimized version of Call of Duty on PlayStation, a move that could have catastrophic consequences for Sony.
To back up their claims, Sony has cited Microsoft's original statement when attempting to acquire ZeniMax Media, in which they said that they would not have the incentive to cease or limit making ZeniMax games available for purchase on rival consoles. This statement has clearly not been upheld, as both Starfield and Elder Scrolls will be Xbox exclusives.
Microsoft's response
With Starfield set to be one of the biggest games of the year, it's not surprising that Sony is using it as evidence that Microsoft may not be entirely trustworthy. However, Microsoft has signed a deal with Nintendo guaranteeing Call of Duty games on the latter's platforms for at least 10 years. While not everyone is confident that the games can be optimized for the hybrid Switch, this deal shows that Microsoft is willing to work with other console makers.
In an effort to ease concerns, Microsoft has been trying to form a deal with Sony, although the details of this are not yet public. Meanwhile, we're still waiting to find out if Microsoft's acquisition will go through, although a recent report claimed that the European Commission is happy for it to proceed.
Conclusion
As the gaming industry continues to evolve and exclusives become more common, it remains to be seen how this acquisition will affect the industry as a whole. Whether or not Call of Duty will be available on PlayStation consoles in the future, it's clear that the battle between Microsoft and Sony is far from over.
