Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard King, and thereby the Call of Duty franchise, raises pivotal questions about the future of the series across different platforms. Phil Spencer, Microsoft Gaming CEO, elucidated the company’s intent to foster “100% parity” among PlayStation, Nintendo, and PC gamers during an Xbox podcast. This article aims to delve deep into what this promise of parity means for the gaming community and how it affects the landscape of platform-exclusive content.

Microsoft’s New Ownership and its Implications

With the ownership of Activision Blizzard King now in Microsoft’s portfolio, many speculated about potential exclusivity deals for the Call of Duty series on Xbox. However, Phil Spencer has clarified that Microsoft’s aim is to make all players feel “100% part of the community,” irrespective of their platform. This marks a significant departure from the earlier practice where platform-specific content was common.

The Commitment to Parity Across Platforms

During the Xbox podcast, Spencer went into detail about Microsoft’s commitment to ensuring that all players, regardless of the platform they use, will not miss out on any Call of Duty content. The objective, he stated, is “100% parity for launch and content,” albeit acknowledging that some platforms might experience resolution and frame rate differences. The important takeaway is that Microsoft has no plans to leverage Call of Duty to drive Xbox sales, a stark contrast from past practices.

Past Relationships and Present Changes

The issue of platform exclusivity is not new. In fact, Microsoft itself had an exclusivity deal with Activision until 2015, after which Sony took over with its own arrangements. Spencer admitted that Microsoft has been “on the other side” of this issue and stated that such practices don’t help the gaming community. This resonates with the recent Modern Warfare 3 beta, which was timed-exclusive for PlayStation users.

What Remains Exclusive?

It’s important to note that despite the new shift towards parity, some platform-exclusive elements remain. For example, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III will continue to have PlayStation-exclusive content until November 2024. Furthermore, Microsoft has reached an agreement with Sony to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation for at least another decade and is also considering bringing the series to Nintendo platforms.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft’s aim for “100% parity” in Call of Duty across all platforms is an ambitious and community-centric approach. By eliminating the barriers of platform-exclusive content, Microsoft is sending a clear message about its dedication to fostering a unified and inclusive gaming community. This change, if effectively implemented, could serve as a blueprint for other franchises, making gaming a more unified and inclusive experience.

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