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Microsoft's decision to buy Activision Blizzard has raised questions regarding what kind of support Sony PlayStation customers can expect in the future. Microsoft's treatment of Bethesda afterward it bought that studio doesn't suggest keen outcomes for current PlayStation five owners. The situation is clearly in flux. At least one franchise — Call of Duty — seems likely to remain on PS5, at least for at present.

Microsoft played coy regarding its plans for some months later it bought Bethesda, merely it clarified things last year when information technology declared that games like the Elder Scrolls VI would be Xbox and PC-just. Previously, some had hoped that simply new IPs like Bethesda's Starfield would be locked to Xbox. Information technology was hoped that series that had traditionally been cross-platform would stay that way.

With ZeniMax, Microsoft chose to uphold contracts information technology had previously signed, simply not to brand farther cantankerous-platform guarantees. Deathloop and GhostWire — two games in development when MS bought ZeniMax and that Sony contracted as panel exclusives — will remain PS5-merely. Games like the Elder Scrolls Online, which launched for multiple platforms, volition apparently stay that manner. Simply thus far, Microsoft has given no sign that information technology intends to launch new ZeniMax IPs for PS5.

Sony Expects Support

"We expect that Microsoft volition abide by contractual agreements and go along to ensure Activision games are multiplatform," a Sony spokesman told The Wall Street Periodical on Th. Microsoft probably will. It'south not in the company'south all-time interests to choice fights with rival companies over contract terms when information technology'south trying to close loftier-value acquisitions.

This is where Call of Duty comes in. A tweet from Phil Spencer indicates the franchise will remain multiplatform and available to PlayStation v gamers, at least for now:

But even this is non as clear every bit it might be. Spencer makes two divide statements. 1). MS will honor all existing agreements. two). Microsoft "desires" to proceed Telephone call of Duty on PlayStation five.

These are not the same thing. Announcing that Microsoft volition keep pre-existing agreements is the right thing to do, merely it isn't 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 accept signed some long-term marketing agreements with Activision a few years back. Nosotros don't know how long those agreements run for or what they encompass.

Let's hear information technology for unexpected synergy! Image by @PaigeHix

As for the idea that Microsoft "desires" to keep CoD on the PlayStation 5, Activision isn't going to suggest dropping support for Sony's 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 desire from Sony and what is Sony willing to offer in the future?

Reshaping the Games Industry

ZeniMax and Activision Blizzard are the two large publishers in Microsoft's new back catalog, simply 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 adult past Obsidian and Bethesda. Merely information technology also means that Microsoft now commands the futurity of a number of major gaming franchises, including Overwatch, Diablo, Starcraft, Earth of Warcraft, Telephone call of Duty, Fallout, Gears of War, and Wolfenstein. Some of these have long been associated with Microsoft, but many accept been cross-platform.

Microsoft'southward purchase of Activision Blizzard will meaningfully change which franchises are available on future platforms. The impact this will take on PC gamers, still, is unclear.

PC gamers are the arguable beneficiaries of Sony and Microsoft's common 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's plans are for hereafter software compatibility.

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