Microsoft and Nintendo have announced a 10-year agreement in which Call of Duty games will be released on Nintendo platforms on the same day as they are on Xbox, with full feature and content parity.
Microsoft president Brad Smith announced the contract with Nintendo on Twitter, indicating that it is part of the company’s commitment to bring Xbox games and Activision titles like Call of Duty to more players on more platforms. However, the accompanying statement from Microsoft mentioned only Call of Duty by name, leaving the possibility open for more Xbox games to be made available on Nintendo platforms.
The announcement comes at a strategic time for Microsoft, as it is currently facing opposition from the EU’s European Commission, one of three major regulators currently standing in the way of the company’s proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Microsoft is scheduled to appear in court to argue its case for the deal with the European Commission.
What the Deal Means for Gamers
The Microsoft-Nintendo deal has significant implications for gamers, particularly those who enjoy playing Call of Duty. With the announcement, players on Nintendo consoles will no longer have to wait for months to enjoy the latest Call of Duty game. Instead, they will have access to the full game with all its features and content on the same day as Xbox and PlayStation gamers. This move is expected to increase the player base for Call of Duty, which is already one of the most popular video game franchises in the world.
For Xbox gamers, the deal means that they will no longer have exclusive access to Call of Duty content. In the past, Call of Duty games have often come with additional features and content for Xbox gamers. However, with the deal, this practise will be discontinued, and all gamers, regardless of the platform they use, will have access to the same features and content.
The Future of the Xbox and Nintendo Partnership
While the deal currently only covers Call of Duty games, there is speculation that it could lead to more Xbox games being made available on Nintendo platforms. This is because the deal is part of Microsoft’s commitment to bring Xbox games and Activision titles to more players on more platforms. As such, it is likely that Microsoft will look for more opportunities to expand its reach among gamers on other platforms.
The Microsoft-Nintendo deal is a significant development in the video game industry, and it has the potential to change the gaming landscape significantly. Call of Duty games are now available on Nintendo consoles on the same day as they are on Xbox, allowing gamers to enjoy the franchise without regard to platform.It remains to be seen what other games will be made available through the partnership, but one thing is for sure: Microsoft and Nintendo are keen on expanding their reach to gamers on other platforms.