Does EA Own Call of Duty? Untangling the Ownership Web
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The short, definitive answer is no, Electronic Arts (EA) does not own Call of Duty (CoD). The Call of Duty franchise is owned and published by Activision, which is now a subsidiary of Microsoft following a massive acquisition in 2023. Despite often being mentioned in the same breath due to their prominence in the gaming industry, EA and Activision are separate entities with distinct portfolios and development studios. Misconceptions sometimes arise because both companies are major players and have long histories in video game development, but their ownership and operations are entirely independent.
Activision: The Home of Call of Duty
Call of Duty, since its inception in 2003, has been primarily associated with Activision. Initially developed by Infinity Ward, the series quickly grew to include other developers like Treyarch and Sledgehammer Games, who rotate development duties for the various entries in the franchise. These studios are all owned and operated by Activision, and now indirectly by Microsoft.
The Microsoft Acquisition
The most significant event in recent Call of Duty history was the acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft in a deal finalized on October 13, 2023. This $68.7 billion deal brought iconic franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and more under the Microsoft umbrella. This deal positions Microsoft as a formidable force in the gaming world, adding a huge roster of games to its Xbox ecosystem. Importantly, the deal does not impact the existing development structure, with Activision continuing to manage the Call of Duty franchise.
EA: A Different Gaming Powerhouse
While EA is a titan in the gaming industry, known for franchises such as EA Sports FIFA (now EA Sports FC), Battlefield, Apex Legends, The Sims, Need for Speed, and many others, their domain does not extend to Call of Duty. EA operates independently, developing and publishing its own catalogue of games and managing its various studios, including Respawn Entertainment (Apex Legends, Titanfall). EA’s focus is on different game genres and platforms, which clearly separates its business from that of Activision.
EA’s Expansion and Acquisitions
EA has also grown through strategic acquisitions over the years, bringing studios like Dice (Battlefield), Playdemic, Metalhead Software, and Glu under its wing. These acquisitions have helped EA diversify its portfolio and maintain its standing as a major gaming publisher. This has resulted in a diverse range of popular games under the EA banner, but none of these are related to the Call of Duty franchise.
Why the Confusion?
The confusion regarding EA’s ownership of Call of Duty often stems from the sheer prominence of both companies in the gaming landscape. Both publishers have a wide reach, and it’s easy for consumers to conflate the two. Both companies have a history of creating successful games, but the ownership of these games, including Call of Duty and its variations such as Warzone, clearly sits with Activision and now with Microsoft. This distinction is crucial in understanding the structure of the video game industry.
EA and FIFA’s Breakup
One recent development that may further blur the lines is the end of EA’s long-standing partnership with FIFA. The termination of their licensing agreement means that the popular football franchise is now known as EA Sports FC, marking a significant shift for EA and a clear indication that they are not reliant on just one intellectual property, thus allowing them to focus on their own IPs. This move, though unrelated to Call of Duty, highlights EA’s independence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who Owns Call of Duty?
Call of Duty is owned by Activision Publishing, Inc, which is a subsidiary of Microsoft. Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard in 2023, placing Call of Duty and other major titles under the Microsoft Gaming umbrella.
2. Is EA Involved with Call of Duty in Any Way?
No, EA has no involvement in the development, publishing, or ownership of Call of Duty. The series is exclusively associated with Activision and now Microsoft.
3. What Games Does EA Own?
EA owns and publishes a wide array of popular franchises, including EA Sports FC, Battlefield, Apex Legends, The Sims, Need for Speed, Titanfall, and Plants vs. Zombies, among others.
4. Does EA Own Call of Duty Warzone?
No, EA does not own Call of Duty: Warzone. Warzone is developed by Raven Software and Infinity Ward and published by Activision, which is now owned by Microsoft.
5. What is the Market Cap of EA Compared to Activision?
As of the time this article is written, EA has a market capitalization of approximately $40 billion, while Activision Blizzard was valued at about $64 billion before being acquired by Microsoft. Microsoft, in comparison, is valued at a significantly larger amount.
6. Was there ever a possibility of EA Acquiring Activision?
While there were discussions between Activision and EA, a deal never materialized. Instead, Microsoft successfully acquired Activision Blizzard.
7. Which Studios does EA Own?
EA owns several game development studios, including Dice (Battlefield), Respawn Entertainment (Apex Legends, Titanfall), Playdemic, Metalhead Software, and Glu.
8. What is the new name for EA’s FIFA franchise?
Following the end of its partnership with FIFA, EA’s football franchise is now called EA Sports FC.
9. Did Microsoft buy Call of Duty?
Technically, Microsoft did not directly buy Call of Duty. It acquired Activision Blizzard, which owns the Call of Duty franchise, thereby bringing it under Microsoft’s control.
10. What prompted the end of the FIFA and EA partnership?
The end of the FIFA and EA partnership was primarily due to a disagreement over licensing fees, with FIFA reportedly demanding a substantial increase in the payment for the license to use its name.
11. Is Disney trying to buy EA?
Reports have circulated suggesting that Disney may be interested in acquiring EA, however, no deal has been confirmed.
12. Is Apple acquiring EA?
Initial reports suggested that Apple may be considering a deal for EA, however, these talks have seemingly broken down, and no deal has been made.
13. Does EA still own Origin?
EA has distanced itself from the Origin branding, rebranding its services under the EA Play banner. While Origin still exists for macOS users, it is not being actively promoted.
14. Why did Microsoft buy Activision?
Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision was driven by its desire to expand its presence in the gaming industry, capitalize on metaverse trends, and solidify itself as a leader in cloud gaming.
15. Why didn’t Microsoft buy EA?
One of the cited reasons why Microsoft did not purchase EA is that EA makes more money on the PlayStation platform than the Xbox platform, thus making an acquisition less financially viable for Microsoft.
In conclusion, the ownership of Call of Duty rests firmly with Activision, now a subsidiary of Microsoft, and not with EA. While both companies are significant in the gaming industry, their portfolios and ownership structures are distinct. This separation is crucial for understanding the broader gaming landscape. The purchase of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft is the biggest deal ever in the gaming industry, and it solidifies Microsoft as the company who owns Call of Duty.