Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision and Blizzard has been a long and tiring slog. However, it now appears close to becoming a reality after a UK regulator provisionally approved the purchase.
The major step has sparked concerns among developers for the future of the gaming industry if Microsoft were to get full ownership of mega franchises such as Call of Duty.
The efforts to buy Activision and Blizzard started all the way back in early 2022. Microsoft, the owner of Xbox, has been on a spending spree in recent years with ZeniMax, and thus Bethesda, their biggest purchase so far. Ownership of Bethesda has allowed Microsoft to make Starfield exclusive to Xbox on consoles, and there are concerns that Elder Scrolls 6 will be exclusive to Xbox, too.
Xbox chief Phil Spencer has already committed to keeping Call of Duty on PlayStation, but Microsoft’s impending acquisition of Activision and Blizzard is still concerning developers.
Has Microsoft bought Activision and Blizzard?
Microsoft has not yet bought Activision and Blizzard.
However, the deal is very close to finally being cleared. Microsoft has had to jump over several hurdles such as battling and defeating the FTC.
Now the previously opposed UK regulator has ‘provisionally‘ approved the purchase. This suggests the acquisition is inevitable and very close to becoming finalized.
Provided the purchase goes through as expected, Microsoft is buying Activision and Blizzard for more than $68 billion.
What does Microsoft’s purchase of Activision mean for Call of Duty?
Microsoft’s purchase of Activision and Blizzard means Call of Duty will come to Xbox Game Pass.
However, it will not come to Xbox Game Pass immediately. As reported by CharlieIntel, the UK CMA’s final report on the Microsoft deal to buy Activision and Blizzard said ‘CoD arriving on Game Pass in 2025’.
This could be in reference to older games already playable, or it could mean brand-new releases. Sadly, it’s not specified.
As for Call of Duty becoming exclusive to Xbox, this is a nightmare not happening. Call of Duty will always be available on PC away from consoles, and Phil Spencer has committed to keeping Call of Duty on PlayStation for at least 10 years.
Developer shares concerns about the future of the video games industry
Some indie developers are worried about the future of the video games industry following everyone’s expectation that Microsoft will secure Activision and Blizzard.
Speaking to TIME about what Microsoft buying Activision means, Brandon Sheffield, director at independent studio Necrosoft, said, ‘I worry we’re trending in a direction that is less friendly toward innovation’. This is in regard to concerns that acquisitions such as Activision and Blizzard will result in Microsoft no longer funding and promoting games from small independent studios.
Sheffield told TIME that what has kept Necrosoft afloat is investments and deals with platforms such as Google Stadia before its demise. So, if Microsoft just focuses on buying and promoting projects from big companies, there is the fear that indie studios will be left to collapse.
Sheffield is also worried about everyone ‘working for the same three companies and making the same kinds of game, or different shades or flavors of the same games’.
Away from Microsoft’s impending purchase of Activision and Blizzard, leaks have revealed redesigns for the Xbox Series X/S consoles. These will reportedly come in 2024 with a brand new controller mimicking haptic feedback introduced by Sony with the PS5 DualSense.