Is Microsoft Removing Call of Duty from PS4? The Definitive Answer and What It Means for You
The short answer is no, Microsoft is not removing Call of Duty (COD) from PS4. Despite Microsoft’s massive acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the makers of Call of Duty, the beloved franchise will continue to be available on PlayStation consoles, including the PS4. This assurance comes from a legally binding 10-year agreement between Microsoft and Sony, effectively putting an end to the heated debate over the future of Call of Duty on PlayStation platforms.
This article delves deeper into the details surrounding this agreement, the implications for players, and answers frequently asked questions about the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal and its impact on Call of Duty.
The Landmark Deal: Call of Duty Stays on PlayStation
For a considerable period, there were genuine concerns within the gaming community that Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard might lead to Call of Duty becoming an Xbox exclusive. Sony, a staunch competitor in the console market, actively voiced these concerns, even contributing to regulatory hurdles during the acquisition process. The fear was that Microsoft would leverage its ownership to push consumers toward Xbox, potentially leaving PlayStation gamers without access to the popular franchise.
However, those fears were put to rest when Microsoft and Sony finalized a binding 10-year agreement guaranteeing Call of Duty’s presence on PlayStation consoles. This deal means that, for the next decade at least, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 players can continue to enjoy Call of Duty releases with “100 per cent parity,” as confirmed by Xbox chief Phil Spencer. This essentially means that PlayStation players won’t miss out on any content updates, features, or experiences compared to their Xbox counterparts.
This is a significant win for PlayStation gamers and a clear indication that Microsoft prioritizes the widespread reach and revenue that Call of Duty brings. Microsoft’s move reinforces its aim to expand its gaming revenue beyond console exclusivity. The deal not only ensures continued access but also underscores Microsoft’s intent to maintain a strong, multi-platform approach with popular franchises like Call of Duty.
Implications of the Deal for Players
The 10-year agreement has several vital implications for players:
- Continued Availability: Both PS4 and PS5 players can continue purchasing, downloading, and playing new Call of Duty titles for the next decade without fear of the game being removed from the PlayStation ecosystem.
- No Exclusive Content on Xbox: The “100 per cent parity” commitment ensures that PlayStation gamers receive all the content and updates available to Xbox players. There won’t be exclusive maps, weapons, game modes, or features for one platform over the other.
- Stability and Consistency: The commitment by Microsoft brings stability to the future of Call of Duty on PlayStation. Players can now confidently invest in the franchise on their preferred console, knowing that the experience will be supported long-term.
- No Abrupt Changes: The agreement prevents any sudden or unexpected changes to game availability, alleviating any fears that players might wake up one day to discover their access revoked.
- Future Proofing: While the agreement covers 10 years, it also represents a precedent and suggests that Microsoft is open to future agreements. In other words, there is a strong indication that Call of Duty will remain a multi-platform franchise for a long time.
This deal signifies a paradigm shift from exclusivity to accessibility, particularly regarding major franchises that generate huge multi-platform revenue.
The Broader Picture: Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard was a landmark deal, not just in the gaming industry but also in corporate history, valued at a staggering $69 billion. This acquisition was the culmination of a long regulatory review process, facing challenges from global regulators, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the UK.
Initially, these regulators expressed concerns about potential market monopolization, particularly related to the fate of Activision Blizzard’s key IPs, including Call of Duty. However, Microsoft successfully navigated these hurdles, making significant concessions, such as the 10-year agreement with Sony, to secure approvals.
The deal gives Microsoft ownership of some of gaming’s biggest IPs, such as Call of Duty, Diablo, Overwatch, and Candy Crush, and fundamentally changes the gaming landscape, giving Xbox a much stronger position against competitors like Sony. The core aim of this acquisition is to increase revenue for Xbox, not to restrict popular franchises to the Xbox ecosystem.
The End of Warzone 1 and the Future
It is important to clarify that while the core Call of Duty franchise remains on PlayStation, Call of Duty: Warzone 1 servers were officially shut down on September 21, 2023. This means the original battle royale title is no longer playable, as Activision shifted focus to future Call of Duty content. This shutdown, however, does not impact the future of Call of Duty or the availability of other titles on PlayStation.
The agreement with Sony also ensures that future versions of Warzone, and any other Call of Duty game, will continue to be available on PlayStation platforms. Thus, despite the end of Warzone 1, PlayStation users can look forward to new experiences within the Call of Duty universe.
In conclusion, the deal between Sony and Microsoft is a welcome relief to PlayStation gamers. They can look forward to enjoying future Call of Duty titles on PS4 and PS5 without the fear of losing access or receiving an inferior version. The future of Call of Duty is multi-platform, with Microsoft committed to reaching as many gamers as possible, which in turn increases overall revenue for the franchise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will Call of Duty be exclusive to Xbox after the Microsoft acquisition?
No, Call of Duty will not become exclusive to Xbox. The agreement between Microsoft and Sony ensures that the franchise will continue to be available on PlayStation consoles for the next 10 years at least.
2. Does the agreement cover all future Call of Duty titles on PS4?
Yes, the agreement covers all future Call of Duty titles that will be released during the 10-year period, including those on PS4 and PS5.
3. Will there be any differences between the Xbox and PlayStation versions of Call of Duty?
No, the commitment to “100 per cent parity” ensures that both Xbox and PlayStation players will have the same content, updates, and gaming experience. There will be no exclusive content on either platform.
4. Why was there so much concern over Call of Duty going exclusive?
The concern stemmed from the fear that Microsoft, owning the franchise, would force players to switch to Xbox consoles to play Call of Duty, potentially hurting sales of the PlayStation platform.
5. Why did Microsoft agree to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation?
Microsoft recognized that Call of Duty generates immense revenue from multiple platforms. By keeping it available on PlayStation, they maximize their reach and overall profitability.
6. What happened to Call of Duty: Warzone 1?
Call of Duty: Warzone 1 servers were shut down on September 21, 2023. The game is no longer playable as Activision shifted its focus and resources to new Call of Duty content. This has no bearing on the current Call of Duty or Warzone availability on Playstation.
7. Is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare free on PS4?
Yes, at certain periods, Activision has made the multiplayer mode of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare completely free to download and enjoy on PlayStation platforms.
8. Will the 10-year deal be renewed when it expires?
While there is no guarantee, the 10-year deal sets a precedent for multi-platform availability. There’s a strong indication that both Microsoft and Sony will be interested in renewing the agreement in the future.
9. Why was Sony initially against Microsoft buying Activision Blizzard?
Sony feared that Microsoft would make Call of Duty exclusive, negatively impacting their business and their users. This concern was a significant factor in the regulatory hurdles faced by Microsoft.
10. Did regulators try to block the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard acquisition?
Yes, several regulators, including the FTC in the US and the CMA in the UK, initially attempted to block the acquisition. They expressed concerns about monopolization. Microsoft eventually navigated those hurdles after numerous concessions.
11. What other gaming IPs does Microsoft now own due to the Activision Blizzard acquisition?
Besides Call of Duty, Microsoft now owns popular franchises like Diablo, Overwatch, and the mobile game company, King Games (makers of Candy Crush).
12. What is Microsoft’s ultimate goal with the Activision Blizzard acquisition?
Microsoft aims to expand its gaming revenue and strengthen the Xbox brand by acquiring popular gaming IPs, with a multi-platform approach where possible, instead of seeking platform exclusivity.
13. Will old Call of Duty games be available?
Some older Call of Duty game servers have been fixed by Microsoft, making them playable again. However, not all previous titles may be available.
14. What does the term “100 per cent parity” mean in relation to Call of Duty?
It means that the PlayStation versions of Call of Duty will have the exact same content, features, and updates as the Xbox versions. No content will be held back for one platform over the other.
15. Is Microsoft now the owner of Activision Blizzard?
Yes, Microsoft officially completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October of 2023, making it a part of Xbox.