Microsoft agrees to 10-year ‘Call Of Duty’ deal with Nintendo

An employee tests a version of Call Of Duty at Activision Blizzard, Infinity Ward Division, in Woodland Hills, California. The agreement depends on Microsoft closing its US$69bil (RM304.01bil) acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc, the Redmond, Washington-based company said. — AP

Microsoft Corp and Nintendo Co agreed a 10-year deal to bring Call Of Duty to Nintendo gaming platforms, signalling a willingness to share one of the game industry’s most important titles at a time of growing consolidation in the industry.

The agreement depends on Microsoft closing its US$69bil (RM304.01bil) acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc, the Redmond, Washington-based company said. The duration of the deal can be further extended after the initial period and Microsoft is committed to expanding the number of platforms on which people can play games, Xbox chief Phil Spencer told Bloomberg News. Microsoft also said it’s committed to offering Call Of Duty on Valve Corp’s Steam platform at the same time as it’s released on Xbox.