Will Call of Duty Be on PS5 in the Future? A Deep Dive into the Agreement

The short answer is a resounding yes, Call of Duty will be on the PS5 in the future. The longer answer, however, is a bit more nuanced, involving significant deals, acquisitions, and legal agreements. To put it simply, despite Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard, the publisher of Call of Duty, a binding 10-year agreement is in place ensuring that the hugely popular franchise will continue to be available on Sony PlayStation consoles, including the PS5. This article dives into the details of this deal, exploring its implications and answering frequently asked questions about the future of Call of Duty on the PlayStation platform.

The Deal: Microsoft, Sony, and Call of Duty

The saga of Call of Duty’s availability on PlayStation has been a rollercoaster. When Microsoft announced its intent to acquire Activision Blizzard, concerns immediately arose about the potential for the franchise to become an Xbox exclusive. However, after significant scrutiny from regulatory bodies worldwide, and amid concerns raised by Sony, a crucial agreement was reached.

Microsoft and Sony have entered into a legally binding agreement that secures Call of Duty’s presence on PlayStation for the next 10 years. This deal was announced by Xbox head, Phil Spencer and effectively means that the concerns over the franchise being pulled from PlayStation have been put to rest for the foreseeable future. It is important to note that the deal’s language specifies that Call of Duty will remain on “PlayStation consoles,” which is interpreted to include the PS5 and presumably future consoles developed by Sony.

What Does this Mean for PS5 Owners?

For PS5 owners, the agreement is a major win. It ensures that you will be able to enjoy the latest Call of Duty titles on your console for the duration of this decade-long agreement. This decision safeguards the gaming experience for millions of players who are devoted to the franchise on the PlayStation platform.

Beyond the 10-Year Agreement

While the current agreement guarantees Call of Duty’s availability for the next 10 years, questions remain about what happens beyond that. While it is impossible to predict the specific terms of future agreements, the popularity and revenue generated by Call of Duty make it highly unlikely that Microsoft will simply abandon the PlayStation market. However, as technology evolves and the gaming landscape shifts, it’s natural that discussions around new agreements will take place eventually.

Why This Deal Matters

This agreement matters for several reasons:

• Player Choice: It preserves player choice and prevents the game from being locked to a single platform.
• Competition: The ongoing competition between console platforms ensures better gaming experiences and innovation for everyone.
• Financial Stability: The Call of Duty franchise brings significant revenue to both Activision/Microsoft and PlayStation. It’s a mutually beneficial agreement.
• Assurance for PS5 Owners: It provides a crucial level of certainty and assurance for PS5 owners that they can continue to engage with the franchise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to Call of Duty’s future on the PS5, along with their answers:

1. Will Call of Duty be removed from PS5 after the 10-year agreement ends?

The current 10-year agreement provides a definitive answer for the next decade. It’s impossible to definitively say what will happen after that. However, given the franchise’s significance and broad player base, it is likely that another agreement will be reached to keep the franchise on PlayStation platforms.

2. Does this agreement include all future Call of Duty games?

Yes, the agreement covers all “relevant consoles” within the PlayStation ecosystem for the 10-year period, implying all future mainline Call of Duty titles will be available on PS5 and any future PlayStation hardware.

3. What happens if I have a physical PS3 copy of a Call of Duty game? Can I play it on PS5?

Unfortunately, PS5 does not offer backwards compatibility for physical PS3 games. If you have a physical copy of a PS3 Call of Duty game, you won’t be able to play it directly on your PS5. The PS5 can only play digitally downloaded PS3 games via streaming services, not physical discs.

4. Will there be any differences in gameplay or content between Xbox and PlayStation versions of Call of Duty?

According to current information, no significant gameplay or content differences are expected between Xbox and PlayStation versions of Call of Duty titles. However, PlayStation has had early access for beta testing, for example, through agreements with Activision, which may continue.

5. Is Call of Duty: Warzone free on PS5?

Yes, Call of Duty: Warzone is free-to-play on PS5. You can download and play it without needing a PlayStation Plus membership for the core game, although you may need a subscription for certain additional features.

6. Why did Sony not buy Activision?

Sony’s market capitalization was approximately $113 billion, whereas Activision’s valuation was considered significantly more than half of that, making such a purchase financially infeasible for Sony. It was simply too large of an acquisition for Sony to undertake.

7. Will pre-ordering Call of Duty on PlayStation give me early access?

Historically, pre-ordering Call of Duty on PlayStation has often granted early access to betas and other in-game content. This is a common practice to incentivise pre-orders.

8. Why does PlayStation sometimes get early beta access for Call of Duty?

PlayStation and Activision have sometimes had agreements for timed exclusivity on early beta access. Sony’s Arabic YouTube channel has mentioned that the beta will be on PlayStation before other platforms, often around five days earlier, although pre-ordering may be required for access.

9. How do I upgrade my PS4 Call of Duty game to the PS5 version?

Insert your eligible PS4 Call of Duty game disc into your PS5. Navigate to the game hub, and you should see an option to upgrade to the digital PS5 version.

10. What happens if I put a PS3 game disc into my PS5?

The PS5 will not recognize or play a PS3 game disc. It doesn’t have the hardware compatibility for it and therefore will essentially reject the disc, offering no gameplay options.

11. Is the current agreement with Microsoft similar to previous agreements?

The current agreement is different because it was made after Microsoft had acquired Activision Blizzard. Previous agreements were between Sony and Activision before the Microsoft takeover. These deals have been structured to ensure the franchise’s continued availability on Playstation after a merger.

12. Will any features on PS4 Call of Duty games be absent on PS5?

There might be some minor differences, but typically the core gameplay features are consistent across both consoles. Any differences are usually due to hardware advancements, and typically PS5 has better visuals and performance capabilities.

13. Is Microsoft going to remove Call of Duty from PlayStation?

Microsoft has explicitly stated they will not remove Call of Duty from PlayStation as part of their agreement with Sony. Their stated intention is to continue offering games to as wide an audience as possible, even on competing consoles.

14. What are the latest Call of Duty titles available on PS5?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023) and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022) are available on PS5. The free to play Call of Duty: Warzone is also available on PS5.

15. How long will the PS5 last? Is a PS6 around the corner?

Reports suggest the PS5 will likely be Sony’s main console until at least 2027. There are no indications that the PS6 will be released before then, suggesting that the current Call of Duty agreement will continue to be valid within the lifespan of the PS5.

Conclusion

In summary, the future of Call of Duty on the PS5 is secured for the foreseeable future, thanks to a comprehensive agreement between Microsoft and Sony. This deal ensures that players on PlayStation consoles can continue to enjoy their favorite franchise without interruption. Although the gaming industry is ever-evolving, this 10-year agreement offers peace of mind to PS5 owners for the coming decade.