Microsoft and Nintendo have signed a binding legal agreement that will bring the classic video game Call of Duty to Nintendo’s platform for ten years – only if Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard successfully goes through.
Last year it was reported that Microsoft had pledged a ten-year deal to bring the best-selling shooter games to both Nintendo and Stream.
That pledged deal is now becoming a reality as Microsoft vice chairman and president, Brad Smith, confirmed on Twitter that the company and Nintendo both signed a “binding 10-year legal agreement” that will bring Call of Duty to Nintendo users.
We’ve now signed a binding 10-year contract to bring Xbox games to Nintendo’s gamers. This is just part of our commitment to bring Xbox games and Activision titles like Call of Duty to more players on more platforms. pic.twitter.com/JmO0hzw1BO
— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) February 21, 2023
Smith further explains that they have plans to bring other Microsoft titles to Nintendo devices in the future.
The signed deal is still dependent on whether Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard can be completed. The company still faces regulatory obstacles from the European Commission, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, and the US’ Federal Trade Commission.
Despite the many hurdles in the way, the deal (valued at $68 billion USD) is expected to be approved and the transaction completed by Microsoft and Activision’s targeted deadline of June 30.
With today’s agreements with NVIDIA and Nintendo, we will bring Call of Duty to 150 million new devices. That will serve consumers AND advance competition. https://t.co/koCNCiWOYI
— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) February 21, 2023
A Call of Duty deal with Nintendo is something that’s been on the cards and discussed for year now, although the most recent bit of progress suggests there’s been a much more formal development within the arrangement.
With the proposed deal on the verge of completion, many have expressed fears that if Microsoft owns Activision Blizzard, it’ll give the company an unfair advantage within cloud gaming and subscription services.
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