Microsoft MS: We'll continue to release Call of Duty, other popular franchises on Playstation, Nintendo products beyond current agreements

[SaysWho?]

Adapting ahead of regulation: a principled approach to app stores - Microsoft On the Issues

BLOGS.MICROSOFT.COM

---

Today we’re announcing a new set of Open App Store Principles that will apply to the Microsoft Store on Windows and to the next-generation marketplaces we will build for games, in part to address Microsoft’s growing role and responsibility as we seek regulatory approval for our acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

 

Quote

First, some commentators have asked whether we will continue to make popular content like Activision’s Call of Duty available on competing platforms like Sony’s PlayStation. The obvious concern is that Microsoft could make this title available exclusively on the Xbox console, undermining opportunities for Sony PlayStation users.

 

To be clear, Microsoft will continue to make Call of Duty and other popular Activision Blizzard titles available on PlayStation through the term of any existing agreement with Activision. And we have committed to Sony that we will also make them available on PlayStation beyond the existing agreement and into the future so that Sony fans can continue to enjoy the games they love. We are also interested in taking similar steps to support Nintendo’s successful platform. We believe this is the right thing for the industry, for gamers and for our business.

 

[GameDadGrant]

Makes sense. The more copies of a game sold - regardless of platform - is just more money in Microsoft's pocket. 

[Brian]

A carefully worded statement. No mention of Blizzard or Bethesda. It will be interesting to see what Microsoft keeps to themselves and what they allow multiplatform.   

[Commissar SFLUFAN]

Beyond the gaming stuff, MS essentially released a point-by-point comparison/rebuttal of its Windows app store policies to contrast with those of Apple/Google.

 

Quote

 

Smith set out a series of principles in a company blog post. He said Microsoft won’t use nonpublic information from its app store to compete with other developers’ programs.

 

What’s more, the company’s principles indicated it will allow all developers to access its app store if they comply with the company’s standards, that it will apply store-marketing rules consistently and that it won’t provide advantages for its apps or partners’ apps over others. Windows users will still be able to use other app stores and side-load apps downloaded from the internet, Smith said in the blog post.

 

And developers won’t have to use Microsoft’s payment system for in-app payments, Smith said. Microsoft announced in September that with the launch of Windows 11, the store app for Windows won’t require developers to split revenue with Windows when developers are using their own payment systems.

 

 

[Paperclyp]

@BloodyHell

[Derek]

Sounds like Daddy Microsoft is going to make sure that all of us are okay.

[best3444]

What was the point in the acquisition then? How does Microsoft prosper here?

[johnny]

2 minutes ago, best3444 said:

What was the point in the acquisition then? How does Microsoft prosper here?

they're going to make money either way lol

[JPDunks4]

50 minutes ago, best3444 said:

What was the point in the acquisition then? How does Microsoft prosper here?

 

Leverage.  Can use their stable of 1st party titles to stop Sony from being as aggressive with other big 3rd party timed deals.

 

Also prevents Sony from buying timed exclusivity on any of those games or content in those games.

[Spawn_of_Apathy]

5 hours ago, GameDadGrant said:

Makes sense. The more copies of a game sold - regardless of platform - is just more money in Microsoft's pocket. 

it probably will also help them get past FTC approval. 

[TwinIon]

It's very important to note that all the App store policies only apply to the Windows store, and not to the Xbox. Given that the Windows app store hardly matters, it's not exactly a big ask for MS to do these things. They get to do the things regulators want to force them to do without giving up any ground on the places they actually make money. The benefit they could get from an open iOS App store almost certainly dwarf whatever they'd potentially be giving up from Windows. Think about all those mobile IAP dollars they could make if these regulations do take effect.

 

As far as the exclusivity with Activision Blizzard titles, it would be naive to expect they won't play favorites. They can get do all sorts of things besides a being a blanket exclusive release. Exclusive additional content, possibly timed exclusivity, ensuring things work best on Xbox, make all advertising Xbox focused, etc. They give MS a much stronger negotiating position for things like cross play.

 

Then there's also the question of what these studios output look like over time. COD itself is changing with the existence of Warzone and the slowing sales of the yearly releases. We could see them make what we consider the traditional COD games every other year and then switch off with some new Xbox exclusive COD branded games. New franchises from these studios could be made Xbox exclusives.

 

Bottom line: pledging to keep releasing popular titles on Nintendo and Sony platforms does not mean that Activision Blizzard will operate like they did before.

[Spawn_of_Apathy]

1 hour ago, best3444 said:

What was the point in the acquisition then? How does Microsoft prosper here?

COD is still regularly among the top selling games of the year. It’s a money maker. Also with these titles enriching Game Pass it can still make Xbox w/ Game Pass or PC w/ Game Pass look more appealing. 
 

Just because it will be sold on PS doesn’t mean the same number of people will keep buying it there instead of opting into MS’s service. 

[Biggie]