Call of Duty It might be one of the most popular series in the world, but it’s not exactly the type of game you think of when you picture the Nintendo Switch. So it’s kind of weird that Microsoft is coming out tonight and announcing a “10-year commitment” to the release Cod Play on Nintendo platforms starting with Switch.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer made the announcement on Twitter, while also promising to move forward Cod Also games on Steam:
Microsoft has made a 10-year commitment to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo after the Microsoft and Activision Blizzard King merger. Microsoft is committed to making more games available to more people, regardless of the games they like to play.
I’m happy to confirm that Microsoft is committed to bringing Call of Duty on Steam to Xbox at the same time Activision merges with Blizzard King.
Of course, it doesn’t make this promise because there is a huge market for it Cod on the Switch, but because his company (Microsoft) is trying to make a deal to buy the company it owns Call of Duty (Activision), deal forthcoming Under increasing scrutiny by governments not only in the US but also abroad.
that Call of Duty The series is a major obstacle to the deal, as many governments argue that forcing popular series behind a single platform would result in an unfair monopoly on video games.
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That’s why reports surfaced last week that Microsoft was considering a 10-year deal with Sony, its main console competitors, in an attempt to address these concerns. However, those reports didn’t mention Nintendo or Valve’s Steam platform, so today’s announcement is clearly aimed at isolating and forcing Sony’s story arc (even if This was easily telegraphed last month)
It is important to note that these are just initiatives to grease some wheels and make this skeptical government look better; Spencer won’t be able to do it a scene That is, unless an Activision purchase is made. There will still be questions. Spencer said in this interview The Washington Postpromise to bring Call of Duty Switching is one thing, playing it on Nintendo hardware is quite another.
Interestingly, while the Nintendo side of the promise stands out for its odd fit and possible technical issues, Valve’s involvement seems pretty casual, says Gabe Newell. my city Current situation:
We’re excited that Microsoft plans to continue using Steam to reach customers using Call of Duty once the Activision acquisition is complete. Microsoft has been with Steam for a long time and we take this as a sign that they are happy with the players and our work. Our goal is to continue to develop valuable features not only for Microsoft, but for all Steam customers and partners.
Microsoft offered and sent us a draft agreement for a long-term Call of Duty commitment, but it wasn’t necessary for us because a) we don’t believe that partners need to have an agreement that allows them to ship games to Steam in the distant future b) Phil and Microsoft’s gaming team have always told us they would, so we trust their intentions and c) we believe Microsoft has every incentive to move forward on the platforms and devices Call of Duty customers want to get to them. . to be.
(Call of Duty It has been running on Steam for a long time the sumBut the series Activision’s own launcher has just returned from a five-year hiatusVarious government objections to the proposed merger concern such restrictions!).