Microsoft games have typically remained exclusive to its consoles for years, with limited availability on PlayStation platforms. However, a significant transformation has taken place in recent times. In 2022, Microsoft created a stir within the gaming community by revealing its intention to expand the accessibility of several of its prominent titles to PlayStation consoles. This unprecedented move allows popular games like Minecraft, Flight Simulator, and Age of Empires IV to venture beyond the confines of Microsoft’s own platforms.
Microsoft’s decision to expand its game availability marks a notable shift in its console strategy, reflecting a new era of cross-platform accessibility and collaboration. This strategic move signifies Microsoft’s willingness to embrace a wider audience and engage in a more inclusive gaming environment. Various factors have contributed to this decision, with the primary goal being to extend their reach.
Is Microsoft Trying To Take Over Sony’s Console
Industry expert Stephen Totilo has made a shocking analysis that shows that Microsoft not only rules the Xbox but also has its branches stretched into Sony’s PlayStation. In 2022, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II emerged as the most downloaded game on the PlayStation 5 (PS5) in the United States. Interestingly, it also held the top spot as the most downloaded game on the PlayStation 4 (PS4) platform. Notably, Minecraft secured the third position among the most downloaded games on the PS4.
In 2022, the most downloaded PS5 game in the U.S. was Call of Duty Modern Warfare II. The most downloaded PS4 game was also MWII. The third most-downloaded PS4 game? Minecraft.
Microsoft is now on the verge of becoming PlayStation’s most important third-party.
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) July 15, 2023
However, should the proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft come to fruition, the future of Call of Duty on PlayStation could face significant implications, as reiterated by Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan. In a recent deposition for the ongoing lawsuit brought forth by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the PlayStation executive emphasized that if Activision becomes a part of Xbox, Sony will withhold PlayStation 6 information from the company.
As pointed out by Totilo, Sony has engaged in prior collaborations with Activision, particularly leading up to the release of the PlayStation 5 (PS5). An instance of this collaboration can be seen in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, which coincided with the PS5 launch. The game incorporated features such as DualSense haptic feedback and HRTF 3D audio, providing an enhanced experience exclusive to the Sony console.
Also Read: Massive FTC Controversy as it’s Revealed FTC Judge’s Son Works for Microsoft!
Microsoft Could Do The Same With Sony PlayStation
Undoubtedly, there are instances where Sony-owned games like Destiny 2 and MLB The Show are available on Xbox, raising questions about whether Microsoft has encountered or will encounter similar challenges in sharing information with Bungie and Sony San Diego Studio during the development of new Xbox hardware.
Sony has consistently stated for several months that the merger would result in inferior versions of Call of Duty on PS5 and future hardware, even though Microsoft has made assertions about continuing to support competing platforms with the series.
If the deal is on the verge of being finalized, which appears highly probable, it becomes significantly more challenging for regulatory agencies like the FTC to reverse it than it would have been to prevent its occurrence from the outset.
Also Read: Activision Blizzard and Microsoft’s FTC Trial Win Is Just the 1st Major Hurdle
Source: Twitter
