Phil Spencer swears oath to put Call of Duty on PlayStation

Microsoft might end up owning Activision Blizzard but it's not about to drop half of its business on the fly, especially when it will affect its numbers on the Xbox as well.

Spencer is aware of this, saying "Us pulling Call of Duty from PlayStation, in my view, would create irreparable harm for the Xbox brand."

Spencer's promise to maintain Call of Duty's presence on PlayStation wasn't without a caveat, though. He noted, "As you said, Sony obviously has to allow us to ship the game on their platform." It's a point that underscores the interdependency between game developers and console manufacturers, but it also highlights a potential point of contention between Sony and Microsoft.

Adding to the intrigue is the question of console exclusivity, an issue that has been the center of attention throughout the trial. Previously, Microsoft has taken a fairly broad view on this topic, with Spencer suggesting there'd be no degradation of Call of Duty quality on PlayStation. Releasing a "lower-quality game" on PlayStation would not only tarnish the Xbox and its reputation but also harm the company financially, given PlayStation's popularity. However, it's not just Call of Duty we're talking about here. The Elder Scrolls 6, which isn't coming out until 2028, at the earliest, is likely going to be exclusive to the Xbox Series S/X. MachineGames' Indiana Jones game is already going to be exclusive to the Xbox Series S/X when it comes out and so is Starfield, albeit for a good reason.

So, even if Phil Spencer swears an oath to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation, what of Activision Blizzard's innumerable other properties? Not to mention, Spencer didn't mention future Sony consoles.

This omission could suggest an unspoken contingency, leaving room for uncertainty about Call of Duty's fate on potential future iterations of PlayStation consoles - a platform that Microsoft believes will be out by 2028.

As the courtroom battle soldiers on, gamers all over the world are on the edge of their seats, all awaiting the verdict. This trial's outcome could change the landscape of the gaming industry, impacting not only the fate of behemoth companies like Microsoft and Sony but also the future of beloved franchises like Call of Duty.

For now, Spencer's testimony offers some reassurance to the PlayStation gaming community. However, the final decision rests in the hands of the FTC, the judicial system, and ultimately, Sony itself. This saga is far from over, and as the gavel comes down in the days to come.

Will the Xbox boss's pledge win the day, or will the FTC have the final say? Only time will reveal all the answers to these questions.