Microsoft and Call of Duty: The Definitive Answer and FAQs

The burning question on many gamers’ minds is finally answered: Yes, Microsoft has officially bought Call of Duty. This isn’t a hypothetical scenario anymore; the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the publisher of Call of Duty, by Microsoft has been completed after a long and turbulent journey filled with regulatory hurdles and legal challenges. This monumental deal, valued at approximately $68.7 billion, marks a significant shift in the gaming landscape. Let’s delve into what this means for gamers, the future of the franchise, and more with a comprehensive look at the situation and related questions.

The Acquisition: A Done Deal

After 21 months of negotiations and legal battles, Microsoft finalized its acquisition of Activision Blizzard on October 13th. This acquisition isn’t just about Call of Duty; it also includes major gaming franchises like World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo. The deal faced significant scrutiny from regulatory bodies, particularly in the UK and the US, with concerns raised about potential monopolization. Despite the challenges, Microsoft ultimately secured approvals, paving the way for the merger. The implications are vast, and are sure to reshape the gaming industry for years to come. The merger will see Activision, Blizzard, and mobile giant King under the Microsoft/Xbox umbrella, potentially integrating over 15,000 employees in the process. This move makes Microsoft one of the largest employers of game developers globally.

What Does This Mean For Call of Duty?

With Microsoft now owning Call of Duty, several questions arise regarding the future of the franchise. The most pressing concern for many players is whether the game will become an Xbox exclusive. While initial concerns were high, a commitment has been made, at least in the short term. Sony signed a binding 10-year deal with Microsoft to keep the Call of Duty series available on PlayStation. This guarantees that PlayStation gamers will continue to have access to new Call of Duty releases for the foreseeable future. This move assuaged some of the most outspoken critics of the merger, while not placating all of them.

Beyond Exclusivity

Beyond exclusivity, the acquisition also opens up potential for the franchise to evolve. Microsoft has the resources and technology to invest in Call of Duty development, possibly introducing innovations in gameplay, graphics, and cross-platform functionality. Integration with Xbox Game Pass is another area that could dramatically alter how players access Call of Duty titles. The acquisition could also see Microsoft bring an increased focus on cloud gaming for Activision titles.

FAQs: Unpacking the Microsoft Acquisition

To further clarify the implications of this acquisition, here are 15 frequently asked questions:

1. Who Actually Owns Call of Duty Now?

Microsoft owns Call of Duty now, through its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. While Activision originally published the series starting in 2003, it’s now under the Microsoft/Xbox umbrella.

2. Who is the CEO of Activision Blizzard?

Bobby Kotick is the current Chief Executive Officer of Activision Blizzard. It’s worth noting that a change in leadership within Activision Blizzard is possible given the merger.

3. What About Call of Duty Mobile (CoDM)?

Call of Duty: Mobile was developed and is owned by TiMi Studios, a subsidiary of Tencent. It is not part of the Microsoft acquisition, but licensing agreement will likely continue between Microsoft and Tencent for its future.

4. Why Did The FTC Try to Stop the Deal?

The FTC attempted to block the merger due to concerns about potential harm to competition in the video game industry. They argued that Microsoft’s acquisition would give the company excessive market power.

5. Was There A Judge Involved?

Yes, a federal judge ruled that Microsoft could close the $75 billion acquisition, removing a crucial obstacle.

6. How Much Did Microsoft Pay for Activision Blizzard?

Microsoft finalized the deal for approximately $68.7 billion. Initially valued at $69 billion, the final purchase price was slightly adjusted.

7. Is Activision Owned by Microsoft Forever?

Yes, Activision Blizzard is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft. The acquisition is not temporary, and the properties of Activision are now within Microsoft’s gaming portfolio.

8. What Other Big Companies Did Microsoft Buy Recently?

Aside from Activision Blizzard, some of Microsoft’s major acquisitions include: Skype (2011), LinkedIn (2016), and GitHub (2018), and Mojang (2014), which gave them Minecraft.

9. Will Call of Duty Become an Xbox Exclusive?

While there were initial fears of exclusivity, Microsoft signed a 10-year deal with Sony to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation. This assures a multi-platform release of new titles for at least the next decade.

10. How Will This Merger Affect Activision Employees?

The merger will potentially impact over 15,000 employees across Activision, Blizzard, and King. Microsoft will likely absorb the majority of these employees, making them a massive employer in the game development sector.

11. What Was the Role of the UK’s Competition Watchdog?

The UK’s competition watchdog, the CMA, initially blocked the acquisition over concerns about cloud gaming competition. After multiple revisions from Microsoft, they eventually approved the deal.

12. How Much Did Microsoft Spend on Minecraft?

Microsoft acquired Minecraft for $2.5 billion, significantly expanding the game’s reach across platforms.

13. What is the future for Call of Duty post acquisition?

The acquisition opens doors to potential enhancements in gameplay, graphics, cross-platform features, and integration with Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft has already begun to hint at the integration with the Xbox ecosystem.

14. How Successful is Call of Duty Mobile?

Call of Duty Mobile has been extremely successful, generating over $1 billion in revenue within its first year. It is not part of the current Microsoft acquisition.

15. Did Microsoft acquire PUBG?

No, Microsoft did not acquire PUBG. PUBG Mobile is developed by Tencent, while the rights are held by Krafton, a South Korean company.

Conclusion

The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft is a pivotal moment in the gaming industry. While there was some initial uncertainty, the 10-year commitment to PlayStation alleviates many of the fans immediate concerns. The future of Call of Duty under Microsoft’s ownership is poised for potential enhancements in the area of the games themselves and how they’re accessed, while also being available on multiple platforms. With the merger now complete, gamers can look forward to seeing how this changes the landscape in years to come.