As Activision Blizzard becomes an official part of the Xbox family, Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox, makes a groundbreaking announcement. He has stated that future releases of Call of Duty will offer “100 percent parity” across all gaming platforms. This significant change implies that players, irrespective of whether they are on Xbox or PlayStation, will experience simultaneous releases for betas, DLCs, and other key features. The decision aims to unify the gaming community, ending years of contentious platform-exclusive benefits.

A History of Platform Favouritism

Over the years, Call of Duty has maintained a close relationship with PlayStation. With Activision Blizzard’s preexisting contracts with Sony, PlayStation has been the exclusive platform for many of the game’s beta releases and DLC packs. However, with Activision Blizzard now being part of Microsoft, these exclusivity deals are nearing an end.

Phil Spencer’s Vision for Community Inclusivity

Phil Spencer elucidated his vision on the official Xbox podcast. He clarified that the goal is not just parity in features, but also an emotional parity where no gamer feels left out or disadvantaged based on the platform they use. “For Call of Duty players on PlayStation, and in the future Nintendo, I want you to feel 100 percent part of the community,” Spencer emphasized.

Technical Limitations Still Apply

While Spencer aspires for total parity in terms of gameplay features, he admits that complete technical parity will remain a challenge. Consoles like the Xbox Series X are engineered for higher resolutions and frame rates that other platforms may not support. Nonetheless, he reassures gamers that the launch of future Call of Duty titles and related content will occur simultaneously on all platforms.

The Role of Xbox Game Pass

Despite the push for inclusivity, the inclusion of Call of Duty in the Xbox Game Pass could still potentially sway gamers towards Xbox. It’s currently uncertain if Activision’s blockbuster titles will be available on the Xbox Game Pass on the day of their release, as is customary for other first-party Xbox titles.

Future of Activision Blizzard Under Microsoft

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is scheduled to leave the company in 2024. While his departure is confirmed, Microsoft has not yet announced any plans for a potential replacement. It’s an open question how the leadership change will impact the company and its popular titles like Call of Duty.

Final Thoughts

The recent announcements concerning Call of Duty indicate a noteworthy change in the gaming industry’s approach to platform exclusivity. With Activision Blizzard becoming part of the Xbox family, gamers could experience a more inclusive environment. The planned parity across platforms is poised to break down barriers, encouraging a unified gaming community.

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