Will Call of Duty be removed from PS5? A Comprehensive Analysis
The gaming industry has been abuzz with rumors that Call of Duty, one of the most popular gaming franchises, might be pulled from the PlayStation 5 (PS5) console. As the acquisition talks between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard unfolded, gamers and industry experts began to speculate about the future of Call of Duty on the PS5. In this article, we’ll delve into the details to provide a comprehensive answer to the question Will Call of Duty be removed from PS5?
The Deal Details
On January 18, 2022, Microsoft announced its intention to acquire Activision Blizzard, the parent company of Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, and King. The deal, valued at a staggering $68.7 billion, would make Microsoft the second-largest gaming company in the world. During the acquisition talks, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard reportedly agreed to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation consoles, as stated by Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer.
The Agreement Details
In a tweet, Spencer confirmed that Microsoft and Sony (PlayStation) had signed a binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on all relevant consoles, including the PlayStation consoles, through December 31st, 2027. This agreement ensures that Call of Duty will continue to be available on PS5 for at least the next seven years. [1]
| Agreement Details | |
|---|---|
| Binding Agreement: | Microsoft and Sony signed a legally binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on all relevant consoles, including PS5 |
| Duration: | Through December 31st, 2027 |
| Content: | Call of Duty games will remain available on PS5 |
What about Future Releases?
As of now, there is no indication that future Call of Duty releases will not be available on PS5. In fact, Microsoft has committed to keeping the franchise’s existing games on the platform, and considering the agreement’s duration, it is highly likely that future releases will also be available. [2]
| Call of Duty Releases | |
|---|---|
| Existing Games: | Will remain available on PS5 |
| Future Releases: | Highly likely to be available on PS5 |
Will COD2023 be Next-Gen Only?
Rumors have circulating online that Call of Duty 2023 (COD2023) might only release on next-generation consoles, including the PS5 and Xbox Series X. While there is no confirmation on this, it is possible that [3] future COD games might be exclusive to next-generation consoles. However, considering the agreement between Microsoft and Sony, it is unlikely that COD will become exclusive to Xbox consoles.
| Call of Duty 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Release Platform: | High possibility of being available on PS5 and Xbox Series X |
| Exclusivity: | Unlikely to become exclusive to Xbox consoles |
Conclusion
The prospect of Call of Duty being removed from the PS5 console seems unlikely given the binding agreement between Microsoft and Sony. Both companies have committed to keeping the franchise on their respective platforms, ensuring that gamers continue to enjoy the popular series. Furthermore, the agreement’s duration and commitment to keeping existing games on the platform increase the likelihood of future releases being available on PS5.
References
[1] Phil Spencer (@Xbox) – Twitter
[2] Microsoft and Sony Sign Call of Duty Agreement – IGN
[3] Call of Duty 2023 Might be Next-Gen Exclusive – GameSpot