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Call of Duty to Remain on PlayStation After Microsoft and Sony’s Deal

Tech Research Online — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 15:12:25 +0000

After the proposed Activision Blizzard merger, Sony and Microsoft reached an agreement to preserve the Call of Duty series on PlayStation for 10 more years. Sony and Microsoft have reportedly reached a binding agreement to maintain Call of Duty on PlayStation, according to Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer.

This puts an end to the heated dispute between the two businesses that had been raging for the previous year, both in private and in public. Ever since Microsoft revealed its intentions to buy Activision Blizzard in January 2022.

Understanding the Revised Deal

Microsoft’s first agreement with Sony in January 2022 specified that all current Activision console titles on Sony, including future versions in the Call of Duty franchise or any other current Activision franchise through December 31st, 2027, will be maintained. The conditions of the agreement have altered since the initial offer, and the 10-year extension is only applicable to Call of Duty.

But during the FTC vs. Microsoft hearing, a shocking email from PlayStation CEO Ryan was read out in court. It suggested that he wasn’t truly concerned about Call of Duty exclusivity and was pretty sure we will continue to see Call of Duty on PlayStation for many years to come. Ryan had called Xbox CEO Phil Spencer in January 2022 to ask for assurances on Call of Duty, according to Microsoft’s lawyers, who argued Ryan didn’t initially have worries about the deal.

The agreement comes after months of discussions and counter-offers between Microsoft and Sony on the future of Activision content on PlayStation for the next 18 months. It was also disclosed at the FTC vs. Microsoft hearing that Xbox CEO Spencer sent PlayStation CEO Ryan an email on August 26. It included a list of Activision games that will continue to be available on PlayStation, and Ryan wasn’t pleased.

The email caused a breakdown in communication between Spencer and Ryan, leading to Spencer revealing Call of Duty’s continued presence on PlayStation beyond the current Sony contract. Ryan criticized Spencer’s public contract negotiations, stating they were inadequate and failed to consider the impact on gamers.

Escalating Tensions Between Microsoft and Sony

Tensions over Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal escalated when Jim Ryan spoke with Activision CEO Bobby Kotick on February 21st, 2023, during a meeting with EU regulators. Ryan expressed his desire to block the merger, claiming it was anti-competitive. Kotick hoped regulators would block the merger, while Microsoft attempted to tempt Sony into signing a deal.

Microsoft has consistently insisted that it will keep Call of Duty available on PlayStation, claiming that doing so would be financially unwise. Before testifying in court that Call of Duty will remain on PlayStation, Spencer attempted to resolve the dispute in November.

The UK’s regulatory situation is a focus as Microsoft and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) discuss a case management conference. Both parties agreed to pause legal battles to address CMA’s cloud gaming concerns and warned of potential merger investigations. The conference is expected to adjourn proceedings pending further discussions.

Despite this, the CMA later announced an extension of its general inquiry into the transaction, pushing back the deadline for a final ruling from July 18 to August 29. Microsoft wants to complete its Activision transaction by the deadline of July 18. But there may be a slight delay so that the UK situation can be rectified.

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Xbox Cloud Gaming is Now Powered by Xbox Series X Hardware

Tech Research Online — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 13:12:01 +0000

Microsoft has now powered its Xbox Cloud Gaming service (xCloud) with custom Xbox Series X hardware. Recently, Microsoft completed the upgrade to improve both game load time and framerates for players streaming Xbox games over the web.

In recent months, despite moving Xbox Cloud Gaming to 1080p and 60fps streams, the software giant is yet to unlock its full potential of custom Xbox Series X hardware to deliver 4K streams.

We are still unclear as to when will this be available, however they have plans to move towards delivering Xbox Cloud beyond browsers and mobile devices.

Also Read: Microsoft Releases New Updates and Features for Xbox App For Apple Users

Currently, the giant is working on a dedicated Xbox app for TVs. This will allow players to stream Xbox games without a console.

They are also planning standalone devices that can be plugged into a TV or monitor, and now it’s reasonable to assume that further upgrades to the Xbox Cloud Gaming resolution are coming.

Xbox Gaming started as a way to play games on mobile devices, however with time and its upcoming integration into the TVs, it’s already started to becoming more than a mobile offering.

Microsoft is also planning Xbox integration into its new Xbox web store which will start rolling out soon.

Recently, Microsoft expanded into Xbox Cloud Gaming to Australia, Mexico, Brazil, and Japan. This came shortly after the company completed its custom Xbox Series X hardware upgrade.

Now, xCloud tech is available in 26 countries, and the company has hinted at “new subscription offerings for Xbox Game Pass.” So naturally, we are expecting to see additional tiers to provide access to Xbox Cloud Gaming soon.

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Microsoft launches Xbox Cloud Gaming in Japan, Brazil, Australia, and Mexico

Tech Research Online — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 13:36:57 +0000

Over the past few months, Microsoft has been testing Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) service, and now the giant is launching it in Japan, Brazil, Australia, and Mexico.

The software giant’s streaming Xbox Game Pass Ultimate games are now ready to expand the reach of its xCloud technology in these markets.

The company will be making XCloud available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers in Brazil and Mexico later today. This will mean that they will technically launch it, in Australia and Japan, in the early hours of October 1st.

Users will have to access XCloud Gaming separately through a dedicated Xbox Windows or Android app, or they can opt for the web for other devices.

The software giant has now expanded its Xbox Cloud Gaming in 26 countries.

“Since cloud gaming is powered by custom Xbox Series X consoles, that means these games are being played on an Xbox in the cloud, bringing faster load times and improved frame rates to the gameplay experience,” explains Catherine Gluckstein, Microsoft’s head of Project xCloud.

Alongside the expansion, Microsoft has also announced, later today, the arrival of Scarlet Nexus on Xbox Game Pass during its Tokyo Game Show broadcast.

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