Call of Duty is one of the biggest gaming franchises of all time, generating countless sequels and spinoffs and even adapting to the modern live service multiplayer structure that can be played across multiple platforms. Despite the developer, Activision, being owned by Xbox, Phil Spencer is happy to share the franchise with their rivals over at PlayStation.
PlayStation Loves Call of Duty and Xbox Head Would be Thrilled
To no one’s surprise, many PlayStation users are playing Call of Duty in their spare time and is number one on the list of the top 10 most played games. Phil Spencer could have painted a target on his back if he were to decide to only limit the franchise to Xbox consoles or PC, but they are well aware that PlayStation still has the numbers.
Call of Duty is the most played game on PlayStation, and remains the second most played game on Xbox after Season 3’s launch. pic.twitter.com/WeNExFGwHh
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) April 4, 2024
The game is also popular on the Xbox but the fact that the game is available on a rival platform like PlayStation and is the first on the top 10 list is quite ironic. Granted, the franchise has been notorious for Warzone, their live service multiplayer can be played on PC as well, it could give Phil Spencer an edge in the gaming industry. Especially now that the developers are starting to pump out some impressive content and support, Spencer can make some creative moves.
It is worth noting that Xbox players tend to play other games such as Fortnite more often than Call of Duty, while PlayStation users enjoying a game from a competitor’s company demonstrates that games are games, regardless of the platform they are played on. Therefore, games should not be restricted or limited to a single system.
Phil Spencer’s Generosity Could Come Back To Bite Xbox
Phil Spencer took on the role as the head of Xbox and had a very complicated vision for the future. Cloud-based games and streaming seem to be his target as well as to completely abolish the idea of exclusivity with his initiative to share a few first-party titles with PlayStation and Nintendo, and more down the road.
The businessman is also under fire for his hypocrisy and recent comments over the current state of video games while he continues to experiment with various methods of accessibility rather than shifting the budget toward game development and for other studios.
Before Microsoft began its aggressive acquisition spree, Call of Duty was already a popular game on both PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Even with the changing landscape, Phil Spencer intended to continue the tradition of welcoming the game to rival platforms.
Despite the shifting industry trends, Spencer recognized the importance of maintaining a commitment to the fans and the gaming community. As such, he ensured that the franchise remained available and a welcoming space for all gamers, regardless of the games they played or the consoles they preferred.
What are your thoughts about PlayStation users playing an Xbox-owned IP on their consoles? Let us know in the comments section below!
