Quote from the Blog Microsoft just posted ......
"These new commitments build on a set of more limited principles for the Microsoft Store on Windows that we adopted in 2020. Since then, we have worked to deliver on those principles, enabling other app stores to be distributed within the Microsoft Store on Windows and ensuring app creators can choose their own in-app payment systems. Likewise, we will build our next-generation game store based on these new principles, and we will be transparent by providing updates on the ways we’re applying them.
We also recognize that regulators may well have other important questions as they review our acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We’re committed to addressing every potential question, and we want to address publicly at the outset two such questions here.
First, some commentators have asked whether we will continue to make popular content like Activision’s Call of Duty available on competing platforms like Sony’s PlayStation. The obvious concern is that Microsoft could make this title available exclusively on the Xbox console, undermining opportunities for Sony PlayStation users.
To be clear, Microsoft will continue to make Call of Duty and other popular Activision Blizzard titles available on PlayStation through the term of any existing agreement with Activision. And we have committed to Sony that we will also make them available on PlayStation beyond the existing agreement and into the future so that Sony fans can continue to enjoy the games they love. We are also interested in taking similar steps to support Nintendo’s successful platform. We believe this is the right thing for the industry, for gamers and for our business.
Second, some may ask why today’s principles do not apply immediately and wholesale to the current Xbox console store. It’s important to recognize that emerging legislation is being written to address app stores on those platforms that matter most to creators and consumers: PCs, mobile phones and other general purpose computing devices. For millions of creators across a multitude of businesses, these platforms operate as gateways every day to hundreds of millions of people. These platforms have become essential to our daily work and personal lives; creators cannot succeed without access to them. Emerging legislation is not being written for specialized computing devices, like gaming consoles, for good reasons. Gaming consoles, specifically, are sold to gamers at a loss to establish a robust and viable ecosystem for game developers. The costs are recovered later through revenue earned in the dedicated console store.
Nonetheless, we recognize that we will need to adapt our business model even for the store on the Xbox console. Beginning today, we will move forward to apply Principles 1 through 7 to the store on the Xbox console. We’re committed to closing the gap on the remaining principles over time. In doing so, we will incorporate the spirit of new laws even beyond their scope, while moving forward in a way that protects the needs of game developers, gamers, and competitive and healthy game-console ecosystems.
Ultimately, we believe that this principled approach will promote a more open app market and better serve our users and creators alike. And, in turn, they will help us build a bigger and better gaming business.
We know that we’ll likely need to continue adapting these types of principles as we move forward. We’re dedicated to the constant change a demanding world not only requires but deserves. In our view, this is all part of the future. And we embrace it."
Adapting ahead of regulation: a principled approach to app stores - Microsoft On the Issues
Today we’re announcing a new set of Open App Store Principles that will apply to the Microsoft Store on Windows and to the next-generation marketplaces we will build for games, in part to address Microsoft’s growing role and responsibility as we seek regulatory approval for our acquisition of...
blogs.microsoft.com
I actually think two things from this post..
1. Since the FTC is taking on this and not justice department... Microsoft needed to get this narrative out there to show that this is not going to harm competition.
2. Microsoft needs this out there because they are likely going to buy something else this year.
So based on this.... I don't have any issues with Call of Duty going to playstation but what I hope is that it doesn't become a yearly game so some of these other studios can finally have a chance to work on different shit.
Activision itself has 10 studios and 8 of those 10 studios only worked on Call of Duty titles. Thats fucking nuts..
Activision confirms all its core studios are now working on Call of Duty | VGC
Some 2,000 employees are thought to be developing the series…
www.videogameschronicle.com
They will leach money off of Sony to the tune of billions and rack in straight profits from Sony.
