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Gamers Eager to Know: Will Call of Duty Join Game Pass?

A court ruling favors the deal
by Natalie Collazo on July 11, 2023   


After a lengthy wait of around 18 months, Microsoft's plans to acquire Activision Blizzard King are finally inching closer to completion. This development has sparked excitement among gamers who have been eagerly anticipating the possibility of seeing Call of Duty on Xbox Game Pass. The recent ruling by California judge Jacqueline Scott Corely in favor of Microsoft in its court case against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has cleared a major hurdle for the acquisition. As a result, the dream of having Call of Duty alongside other top Xbox Game Pass titles seems more attainable than ever before.


Today, the US District Court of Northern California made a decision affirming its denial of the FTC's request for a preliminary injunction to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a deal valued at an estimated $69 billion. This means that Microsoft can now proceed with the acquisition without any legal barriers, at least within the United States.


In the publicly-available redacted version of the court's decision document, it is stated that "the Court finds the FTC has not shown a likelihood it will prevail on its claim this particular vertical merger in this specific industry may substantially lessen competition." In simpler terms, the Court is unconvinced that Microsoft's acquisition would result in a reduced availability of Activision Blizzard King games, including the popular Call of Duty franchise.


The document also reveals that "the record evidence points to more consumer access to Call of Duty and other Activision content." Microsoft has made commitments to ensure Call of Duty remains available on PlayStation for the next decade, guaranteeing parity with Xbox. Additionally, agreements have been reached to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo Switch and to offer Activision's content on various cloud gaming services.


While the specifics of these deals remain undisclosed, there is a possibility that future Call of Duty titles, possibly excluding the upcoming one for 2023, may become available on Xbox Game Pass. However, it's important to note that there is currently no official confirmation regarding the inclusion of Call of Duty on Xbox Game Pass. PlayStation players need not worry, as they will continue to have access to Call of Duty with console parity for at least the next ten years. This is excellent news for fans of top-notch FPS games on the PS5, although other options may also be available in the future. The fate of the Call of Duty series beyond the next few games is uncertain, and it remains to be seen whether a new franchise will take its place.


It is worth acknowledging that many players invested in PlayStation consoles primarily for the Call of Duty experience, highlighting the franchise's immense popularity on the platform. Microsoft recognizes the value of having the series available on Sony's platform but is equally aware of the potential benefits of bringing it to Xbox Game Pass. The recent court ruling marks a significant step in the right direction for players who hope to enjoy upcoming Call of Duty titles without hefty individual purchases.


Check back with DailyGamer for more news and information about Microsoft and Activision Blizzard! Consider checking us out on Twitter @realDailyGamer and tell us what else you'd like to see from us!

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