Call of Duty's Future in Question: The Console War between Sony and Microsoft Heats Up.
The Call of Duty franchise has been deemed the top selling point of the PlayStation 5 according to a recent poll. This has caused concern for Sony as Microsoft has shown interest in acquiring Activision-Blizzard Studios, which could potentially disrupt the video game industry and draw the attention of various competitors and even the US government. As a result, various measures and negotiations have been put in place to prevent Microsoft from gaining an unfair advantage. The competition between Sony and Microsoft remains intense.
The recent news is that Europe has risen up against Microsoft, while a British investigation into the transaction is underway – it plans to deliver its verdict next April. However (while it already has to fight with antitrust laws and various trade commissions), Microsoft's main opponent remains Sony. The reason: Call of Duty. The video game license belongs to Activision, and would weigh heavily in the balance of consoles. In addition, according to a brand new survey, it would be the number 1 asset of the PlayStation.
According to the recent poll conducted by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the United Kingdom, 88% of console users stated that their choice of the PS5 was driven by the availability of specific games. This finding, reported by journalist Christopher Dring, is not surprising, as console exclusives and branded games for PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch often play a major role in purchasing decisions.
Interestingly, the most surprising fact is that 73% of PlayStation players stated they purchased the console mainly or solely for Call of Duty games, according to the survey conducted. This staggering number is even more remarkable considering the fact that the renowned FPS series is not exclusive to PlayStation but also available on PC and Xbox.
In the eyes of numerous players, the Call of Duty franchise has become synonymous with PlayStation consoles. This association makes the brand more appealing and arguably even stronger than its exclusive titles, such as God of War: Ragnarok. Consequently, losing the rights to this franchise would be a major blow to Sony.
Uncovering the Truth Behind the Console War: Sony, Microsoft, and Activision's Tug of War.
This information should be taken with a grain of salt. To begin with, the British Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is not aligned with Microsoft at present and is actively engaged in discussions with the company, as well as with regulatory bodies in Europe and the United States. The release of this survey cannot be considered an impartial and straightforward dissemination of information by the company. While there is no evidence of foul play, it's evident that these figures have been shrewdly crafted to bolster Sony's position.
The new console war has created a consensus that has not benefited the Xbox manufacturer in any way. Recently, Microsoft accused Sony of sabotage and this led to a meeting between Jim Ryan, the president of the Japanese multinational, and Margrethe Vestager, the European Commissioner for Competition, at the beginning of 2023. This prompted Microsoft to take a stand and directly accuse its rival of providing false information to the European Commission.
Frank X. Shaw, the director of communications at Microsoft, expressed his worries about Sony's behavior on Twitter last January. He claimed that the Japanese company was being dishonest about the absence of a proposal for sharing the Call of Duty license for the next decade. It remains to be seen if this is accurate, but it wouldn't be surprising if Jim Ryan, Sony's CEO, put obstacles in the way of his competitor. It's like having an adversary trying to steal your eggs, whether it's now or in ten years, it's still the same issue in the end.
Tensions between Sony, Microsoft, and Activision remain high. Activision CEO Bobby Kotick says their communication with Sony is broken and they no longer receive phone calls from them, even when they try to reach out. The situation between the companies is like a brewing storm and it remains to be seen if a conflict will arise. The decision on Activision-Blizzard's acquisition is due next spring. With so much at stake for Sony and Microsoft, there could still be unexpected developments in this ongoing battle.
