If you’re worried about how Microsoft might handle Activision Blizzard after acquiring them, then fret not. Phil Spencer is once again going on record concerning the tech giant’s stance on the future of Call of Duty as well as the publisher’s other massive properties like Diablo and Overwatch.
In a letter by Phil Spencer released today on Microsoft’s blog, the CEO of Microsoft’s Gaming division had this to say about the future of Activision Blizzard’s properties should they acquire them in the very near future:
“While we love consoles, we recognize that they are not the only way that people play games. Today, the largest and fastest growing segment of gaming is mobile platforms. To reach the billions of players where they are and no matter what device they play on, we need to embrace choice. Giving players choice in how they play their games makes gaming more accessible and leads to larger, more vibrant communities of players. Choice is equally important to developers. Developers benefit from having a diversity of distribution and business models for their games. Choice unlocks opportunities for innovation and enables the industry to grow.
We are expanding choice in two ways: through the creation of Game Pass, which gives players a subscription option; and by bringing more games to mobile platforms, including through our cloud game streaming technology. Subscription services like Game Pass make gaming more affordable and help players from all over the world find their next favorite game. Game Pass empowers developers to bring more games to more players, not fewer. We intend to make Activision Blizzard’s much-loved library of games – including Overwatch, Diablo and Call of Duty – available in Game Pass and to grow those gaming communities. By delivering even more value to players, we hope to continue growing Game Pass, extending its appeal to mobile phones and any connected device.”
While this statement only just confirms the obvious, the Activision Blizzard deal has caused quite a large stir amongst the gaming community since it was announced. It is nice to hear what Microsoft is planning, and those who subscribe to Xbox Game Pass will have access to many of Activision Blizzard’s properties. As for Call of Duty, Phil reiterated the company’s stance to keep the franchise multiplatform.:
“We’ve heard that this deal might take franchises like Call of Duty away from the places where people currently play them. That’s why, as we’ve said before, we are committed to making the same version of Call of Duty available on PlayStation on the same day the game launches elsewhere.”
Otherwise, this letter is mostly just a corporate letter. If you’d like, you can check out the entire letter here. However, you have to appreciate how transparent they’re being with their intentions. While I personally am not a fan, I will never deny how huge Call of Duty is, and it’s nice that they’re not looking to take it away from anyone.