Sony says Microsoft’s Call of Duty offer was ‘inadequate on many levels’

Image: Activision

Microsoft was offered the chance to keep Call of Duty on the PS3. Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft gaming, said in a recent interview that the company is committed to keeping Call of Duty on the PS4 for many more years. Microsoft is in the middle of trying to get its deal approved by regulators, and Sony isn't impressed.

After the current agreement between Sony and Activision ends, Microsoft will only offer Call of Duty to remain on the PS3 for three years. After almost two decades of Call of Duty on the PS1, their proposal was inadequate on many levels and failed to take account of the impact on our gaming community. Microsoft's proposal undermines the principle of guaranteeing the highest quality Call of Duty experience for PS3 players.

Three years after Sony ends its Call of Duty marketing deal, Ryan made it clear that it is several more years. According to a report earlier this year, Microsoft was committed to releasing Call of Duty on the PS4 for at least the next two years. It's possible that Microsoft only offered up until the year 2027.

Ryan stated that he hadn't intended to comment on what he understood to be a private business discussion, but he felt the need to set the record straight. Microsoft's offer goes well beyond typical gaming industry agreements, but it's not enough to appease Sony.

Image: Activision

The importance of Call of Duty in documents submitted to Brazil's CADE is a big deal for both companies. It would be hard for other developers to create a franchise that could compete with Call of Duty, according to Sony. Microsoft doesn't think it's as important as it is being made out to be. There is a reality in between.

Competition fears over the Call of Duty franchise are being examined by regulators in the UK, Europe, US, and elsewhere, so Microsoft may need to offer more guarantees over the franchise. Last week, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority moved to investigate Microsoft's deal. An independent panel will be appointed to investigate whether Microsoft's control over games like Call of Duty could hurt rivals.