Activision Blizzard isn’t under Microsoft’s umbrella yet, following another inquiry from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, among others. Despite the pending nature of the transaction, Spencer already has plans for the future of Call of Duty. As a matter of fact, Spencer wants to take the Minecraft approach for Call of Duty, which is his way of saying, he wants to bring Call of Duty to every platform. Microsoft Gaming’s CEO explained at the Wall Street Journal’s WSJ Tech Live Conference that he wants to expand Call of Duty - and not limit it. Spencer explains that he’s well aware that part of the success of Call of Duty is its availability. True to that, Call of Duty is available to play on PlayStation and Xbox platforms as well as desktops. Call of Duty was also one of the first big multiplayer games to get crossplay support. Furthermore, Spencer hints at the plans to bring Call of Duty to the Nintendo Switch. This would echo an earlier statement he made soon after Microsoft paid an arm and a leg to acquire Activision Blizzard. Spencer’s words should silence any doubts about Microsoft’s plans for Call of Duty. It’s as if Spencer was trying to provide a direct answer to concerns from competitors, mainly Sony, and other regulators as well as gamers. Microsoft has made it clear that it intends to “honor all existing agreements” that Activision Blizzard has signed for Call of Duty with Sony and other companies, even going as far as to pin the blame on Sony for why Call of Duty won’t be on the Game Pass for a long time. Ultimately, Spencer’s statements are non-binding. As the company stops short of promising that Call of Duty will be a multi-platform title in perpetuity, the concerns governing bodies have will continue to prove right. But, if Spencer can put his money where his mouth is and find a way to secure the usually-reclusive Nintendo’s approval for a Call of Duty port, who knows? As CMA’s inquiry into the Activision Blizzard purchase continues, we’re treated to a glimpse of the inner workings of video game companies. For example, we found out just how much money Xbox has made from the Game Pass. Finally, Spencer also hinted that the current-gen console might undergo a price increase after the holiday season, which follows Sony’s earlier price hike for the PS5.
