Microsoft to face European Commission today
Microsoft has announced that it has signed anew deal with Nintendoto bringCall of Dutytitles to the latter’s platforms for the next decade. The deal, announced on Twitter by no less than MS president Brad Smith, is said to be part of a new endeavor by the company to see Xbox titles ported to Nintendo Switch and future platforms.
The new signing — super-duper coincidentally — has been announced on the same day that Microsoft is to appear ata hearing with the European Commission, combatting concerns that the publisher’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard raises antitrust concerns. Of course, Activision Blizzard is the publisher of the billion-dollarCall of Dutyfranchise, and thus Microsoft has signed its “legally binding” 10-year deal pertaining a franchise that it is yet toactuallyown.
“Microsoft and Nintendo have now negotiated and signed a binding ten-year legal agreement to bringCall of Dutyto Nintendo players – the same day as Xbox, with full feature and content parity – so they can experienceCall of Dutyjust as Xbox and PlayStation gamers enjoyCall of Duty,”wrote Smith on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/BradSmi/status/1627926790172811264?s=20
“We are committed to providing long-term equal access toCall of Dutyto other gaming platforms, bringing more choice to more players and more competition to the gaming market,” added Smith. “This is just part of our commitment to bring Xbox games and Activision titles likeCall of Dutyto more players on more platforms.”
The$68.7 billion purchase of Activision Blizzardby Microsoft remains a long way away from completion. Microsoft has to first face down a lawsuit from theU.S. Federal Trade Commission(FTC), scheduled to take place this summer, as well as win the favor of the European Commission and other global bodies. In some of these cases, the losing party is able to appeal the outcome, which would suggest that the deal’s closure — win or lose — could still be a year away at the very least.
