Activision once demanded a higher revenue share for Call of Duty to remain on Xbox

In an industry dominated by exclusive content and competitive differentiation, the mere thought of a PS5-exclusive Call of Duty entry (or entries, for that matter), would have been a hard pill to swallow for Microsoft. "It was clear that Call of Duty would be on PS5 and that would not have been good if it was not also on Xbox if it was launching at the same time," Bond explained.

Simultaneously, Sony Interactive Entertainment's (SIE) boss, Jim Ryan, voiced his concern about the potential implications of Activision's acquisition by Microsoft. Sony's fruitful collaboration with Activision, which has led to better features on PlayStation consoles, would inevitably suffer.

The Activision-Blizzard and Microsoft deal has triggered shockwaves beyond the confines of Call of Duty. In a revealing turn of events, Bethesda's publishing boss, Pete Hines, told the court that the plans for a PS5 version of the in-development Indiana Jones game were scrapped after Microsoft acquired the company.

Microsoft's bid to acquire Activision Blizzard isn't just about its portfolio but it's part of its bid to become the Netflix of the video game industry after admitting that it has lost the console wars. While the FTC trial and Microsoft's admission that it gave in to Activision's demands might paint a grim picture, it reflects the drastic measures companies undertake to ensure a level playing field.

Amidst the courtroom drama and high-stakes negotiation, the true beneficiaries (or casualties) are the consumers. Deals like this can secure the presence of their favorite franchises on their chosen platforms and affect the pricing and availability of these games.

The coming days of the trial are expected to bring more revelations from industry heavyweights, including Xbox boss Phil Spencer, Sony's PlayStation head Jim Ryan, and Activision's Bobby Kotick, among others. However, the outcome and its potential impact on the industry's future remains shrouded in uncertainty.

For now, Call of Duty continues to be a pivotal piece in the grand chessboard of gaming, the moves dictated by the three corporate giants locked in an epic duel. The final outcome of this saga will determine not just the fate of Call of Duty, but potentially the trajectory of the gaming industry as a whole.

As the court battle continues, the gaming world watches, controller in hand, ready for the next skirmish.