Is EA Part of Call of Duty? Untangling the Gaming Industry Web

The short and definitive answer is: No, Electronic Arts (EA) is not part of Call of Duty (COD). Call of Duty is owned and published by Activision, now a subsidiary of Microsoft. EA is a completely separate entity, a major player in the gaming industry in its own right, but with no direct involvement in the Call of Duty franchise. Understanding the intricate relationships and acquisitions within the gaming world is key to avoiding confusion.

Understanding the Key Players

To fully grasp why EA and Call of Duty are separate, let’s look closer at each major entity:

Electronic Arts (EA): A publicly traded company responsible for popular franchises like FIFA/EA Sports FC, Battlefield, Apex Legends, The Sims, Madden NFL, and many others. EA develops, publishes, and distributes its own games.
Activision: The owner and publisher of the Call of Duty franchise. Historically, Activision has worked with multiple development studios, including Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer Games, each contributing to different installments in the Call of Duty series.
Microsoft: The tech giant that acquired Activision Blizzard (Activision, Blizzard, and King) in a massive $69 billion deal. This acquisition places Call of Duty under the Microsoft umbrella, alongside Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks.
Infinity Ward, Treyarch, Sledgehammer Games: The three main studios creating the Call of Duty games.

A History of Independence

While the gaming industry is rife with collaborations and partnerships, Call of Duty has always remained within the Activision ecosystem. There’s never been a period where EA owned, developed, or published a main Call of Duty title. The franchise has been built on Activision’s investment and creative direction, primarily through its in-house and subsidiary studios.

Activision considered being purchased by EA some time ago. Ultimately, the company decided against it.

Acquisitions and the Changing Landscape

The recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft has drastically reshaped the gaming landscape. This deal doesn’t create a connection to EA; instead, it consolidates Call of Duty under the Microsoft banner. Microsoft is now responsible for the future direction of the franchise, its development, and its distribution. The purchase by Microsoft impacts the entire gaming ecosystem, the Games Learning Society studies these phenomena closely.

Why the Confusion?

The confusion may stem from a few factors:

Industry Competition: EA and Activision are major competitors in the gaming market. Both companies have a wide range of popular titles across different genres, leading to constant comparisons and discussions among gamers.
Similarities in Game Types: Both EA and Activision produce first-person shooters and sports games. This can lead to some players mistakenly associating Call of Duty with EA, especially if they’re not deeply familiar with the specific publishers of each game.
Acquisitions & Mergers: The gaming industry is constantly evolving through mergers and acquisitions. It’s easy to lose track of which company owns which studio or franchise.

Key Takeaway

Call of Duty remains firmly within the Activision, now Microsoft, family. EA continues to operate independently, focusing on its own portfolio of games and franchises.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the relationship between EA, Activision, and Call of Duty:

Does EA Own Call of Duty?

No. EA does not own Call of Duty. Activision, a subsidiary of Microsoft, owns the Call of Duty franchise.

Who Currently Owns Call of Duty?

Microsoft owns Call of Duty through its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Who Originally Developed Call of Duty?

The first Call of Duty game was developed by Infinity Ward.

What Studios Develop Call of Duty Games?

The primary development studios for Call of Duty are Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer Games.

Is Activision Part of EA?

No. Activision is not part of EA. Activision was acquired by Microsoft in 2023.

Is Warzone an EA Game?

No, Warzone is not an EA game. It was developed by Raven Software and Infinity Ward and published by Activision.

What Games Does EA Own?

EA owns franchises like EA Sports FC (formerly FIFA), Battlefield, Apex Legends, The Sims, Madden NFL, Need for Speed, and many others.

Does EA Still Own Origin?

No, EA no longer owns Origin. Origin has been replaced by the EA app.

Did Microsoft Buy Activision Because of Call of Duty?

While Call of Duty was a significant factor, Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard for its entire portfolio of franchises, including World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and more.

Is Call of Duty a Microsoft Exclusive Now?

Microsoft has stated that they want to keep Call of Duty on Playstation. The agreement to keep the game on Playstation has been signed.

Why Is EA Replacing Origin?

EA replaced Origin with the EA app to provide a faster and better experience for players. The old system was limited and not performing as well.

Did EA Buy Apex Legends?

No, EA didn’t buy Apex Legends itself. EA acquired Respawn Entertainment, the studio that developed Apex Legends.

Is FIFA Owned by EA?

While EA developed and published the FIFA games for many years, the partnership ended in 2022. The game is now called EA Sports FC.

Is EA or Activision Bigger?

Historically, Activision has been considered the “bigger” gaming company, with a higher market cap. However, the size comparison between the two can vary over time based on market performance.

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Is EA part of COD?