Microsoft in a blog post today outlined its vision on Open App Store Principles for both its Windows and Xbox marketplaces in an attempt to appease regulators looking at its massive investment to acquire Activision Blizzard. In the same post, Microsoft finally committed to releasing the popular Call of Duty franchise on PlayStation beyond the existing agreements in place.
Much of the concern surrounding the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard for almost $70 billion has to do with the exclusivity that such a deal would bring with it. While Microsoft has already stated that it would follow through with exisiting commitments, which is has shown it will do after its acquisition of ZeniMax last year, the concern was what the future would hold after those agreements were up.
In a blog post today, Microsoft publicly confirmed it would make Call of Duty and "other popular Activision Blizzard" games available on PlayStation through its existing agreements and beyond. Microsoft's President and Vice Chair Brad Smith also stated that the tech giant is interested in exploring more opportunities with Nintendo as time goes on.
"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."
It's worth noting, however, that Microsoft doesn't publicly commit to ensuring new IP made by the development teams at Activision Blizzard will be cross platform, however. Simply this confirmation means that Sony players can rest assured they will still see Call of Duty in any form hit PlayStation if the deal should pass regulators.
To help stave off any issues that might arise from antitrust hearings and more that are on the horizon as regulators start getting their hands on the acquisition, Smith laid out Microsoft's principles to its marketplace, including committing to holding its own apps to the same standard it holds competing applications. Microsoft also states it will not use any non-public information to get a leg up in its store. However, while the open principles will apply to the Windows Store and future marketplaces, Smith stops short of stating it will wholesale apply to the Xbox store itself.
Smith mentions that only the first seven principles will apply to the Xbox marketplace, citing the need to recoup the loss-lead sales from consoles through its software sales. However, he does state that the company is open to revising this stance over time.
