Despite the Activision takeover: Xbox does not want to withdraw communities from other platforms
Call of Duty may soon no longer appear on PS5 thanks to Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition.
Microsoft wants to buy Activision Blizzard. That could mean that, similar to the Bethesda takeover, big blockbuster titles will no longer appear for PS4 and PS5 in the future, but only for Xbox and PC. But some games may still come to PlayStation consoles if corresponding contracts already exist. Xbox boss Phil Spencer also says in a statement that Microsoft has no intention of pulling communities away from the platform.
What’s the matter? Since yesterday it is clear that Microsoft wants to take over Activision Blizzard. This could mean that related game brands like Overwatch 2, Diablo 4 and also Call of Duty will become Xbox console exclusives in the future. That means they may no longer appear on Sony’s PS4 and PS5. You’ll find more about it here:
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After the Activision deal: will Diablo 4 and CoD 2022 now be exclusive to Xbox?
Some games might stay: But now there is a new one BloombergReport saying that Microsoft is said to be planning to release “a few” Activision Blizzard games for PS4/PS5. At least that’s what one person who is supposed to be familiar with the company’s considerations says.
This is what the Xbox boss says: The newly minted Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer was then also interviewed by Bloomberg about the matter and also made a direct statement. While that sounds somewhat reassuring at first, it also remains vague enough not to be entirely unambiguous. It states that Xbox does not want to withdraw communities from the platform.
“All I will say to the gamers out there playing Activision Blizzard games on Sony’s platform is that it is not our intention to pull communities away from this platform and we will remain so.”
(via: VGC)
What does that mean exactly? Unfortunately, that remains unclear. On the one hand, it could mean that Call of Duty 2022 and all the rest will also appear for PS5. On the other hand, it could also mean that contracts that have already been concluded will still be honored, but after that, i.e. in a few years, no more titles will come. Or it simply means that the currently existing game communities should not be bothered, for example by no longer receiving updates for games that have already been published on Sony consoles or by shutting down the servers.
Here’s how it was at Bethesda: With regard to the big Zenimax deal, which also includes Bethesda, similar statements were initially made by Phil Spencer. There was talk of player communities that would be loved and continued to be invested in. But Starfield still does not appear for PS4 or PS5, only on Xbox consoles and PC. Which of course is pretty bitter for PS5 owners given the cool first trailer:
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Starfield – E3 trailer shows first alpha scenes in the game engine
The same should apply to Elder Scrolls 6. Although Hannes’ GamePro forecast still sounds very conclusive in large parts:
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No, The Elder Scrolls 6 will (probably) not be Xbox exclusive
Nothing is certain yet: For better or for worse, we have no choice but to wait for the things that are coming our way. At the moment it is simply not yet certain how exactly the mega deal will take place and what the individual effects will be. It will probably be a while before we know that. The acquisition may not be complete until sometime in mid-2023.
Do you think Activision Blizzard games will still appear on PlayStation despite the Microsoft deal? Which ones are you hoping for the most?
Reference-www.gamepro.de