Microsoft MSFT responded to Sony's concerns about a possible inferior version of Call of Duty being launched on PlayStation consoles if Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard ATVI goes through, according to the latest submission to the UK Competition and Markets Authority.
The text states that Microsoft's proposal would encourage Call of Duty developers and publishers to create a PlayStation version that is optimized for the platform.
According to the document, Microsoft will have every incentive to develop games with optimized support for PS 5 features, such as haptics, and future consoles, in order to maximize sales on the platform. Microsoft Strikes Another 10 Year Deal To Expand Activision Games Availability
The document shows that Sony should do its own successful version of Call Of Duty Microsoft considers that a period of 10 years is sufficient for Sony to develop alternatives to CoD. The 10 year term will extend into the next console generation, and the practical effect of the remedy will go beyond the 10 year period, since games downloaded in the final year of the remedy can be played for the lifetime of the console and beyond, with backwards compatibility Microsoft said.
Sony expressed concern to the CMA about the future of Call of Duty video games, should the Microsoft and Activision Blizzard acquisition be completed earlier this month.
Microsoft might release a PlayStation version of Call of Duty '' in which bugs and errors appear only on the game's final level or after later updates, Sony had said. Even if degradations could be detected quickly, any remedy would likely come too late, and the gaming community would lose confidence in PlayStation as a go-to venue to play Call of Duty''. Reuters reported that Microsoft could emerge victorious in its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard in the European Union.
The Federal Trade Commission is preparing to file a lawsuit against the tech giant. Some analysts believe that the lawsuit may be more focused on extracting concessions from Microsoft than completely blocking the merger, as per Kotaku.
Next: Sabotaging The Merger: Activision Exec Accuses Sony CEO Of Refusing 'Call Of Duty' Deal
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