Talking Point: Will Call Of Duty Become An Xbox Exclusive In The Future?

I can see Warzone being multiplat for a long time.
However, I can see the base games moving to Xbox/PC exclusives at some point... Prob not for 3 or 4 years though. I think will see the aggressive moving everything behind the Xbox payroll in the lead up to the next gen.
MS playing a long game..

It's going to be a month of click bait articles from today isn't it? At least two a day, calling it now.

And for me personally Microsoft can keep call of duty, hasn't been improvised at all and is the most milked franchise around. I know for a fact the next call of duty is on playstation though as their deal doesn't end until some point in 2023.

And I don't think Microsoft would take it away just like with Minecraft, I think single player games like diablo will be exclusives whilst multiplayer games will be multi platform, the microtransactions and battle passes sold on playstation consoles would go to into their pockets, they aren't stupid

Isn't the goal to get more game pass subscribers? Well if it is then what better way to achieve that then putting the most sold fps brand exclusively on GamePass day 1

@UltimateOtaku91 pretty much what you said. CoD going exclusive would be difficult because of how much it’s tied to Warzone but they may not do annual installments anymore and do what they did to Halo Infinite.

Call of Duty this, Call of Duty that... Phil, please tell Activision to let Raven make another Soldier of Fortune.

Forget everything, I hope Microsoft ends the toxic culture at Activision, kicks out Bobby and everyone else responsible for what they've done. Surely that's the most important thing. I'm still very confused, does this not hurt Microsoft's PR image?

I expect warzone and maybe overwatch to stay multiplat. That's all

Come on, let's not repeat the same thing like with Bethesda. Back then everyone was asking if Elder Scrolls VI or Starfield would come to PlayStation.

Starfield is Xbox exclusive and so is another ZeniMax title, which is Redfall.

All new Activision Blizzard games will be exclusive to Xbox, while remasters might come out on other systems just like Quake 1 did. That seems to be the pattern that Microsoft is following.

Ultimately...I don't really care! Cod is a dying franchise and I just want Xbox to pick the teams up and do something new and better. And that goes for the terrible Blizzard too

Will xbox keep them as yearly recycled cash grabs? I want them to break up the 3 team cycle and let Treyarch do something original or make a full scale zombie game.

Tricky situation though since the casuals that play call of duty religiously wont want a year or 2 in between releases.

This whole deal isnt really aimed at hardcore gamers. This is more of a means to get the casuals to play on xbox and hopefully sub to gamepass. That casual crowd outnumbers hardcore gamers by quite a bit and Sony has been winning in that group for awhile.

it would be naive to think xbox spent money worth some of countries' annual budget on a company just to declare it belongs to them.
of course the new cod and any other new games from activision will be exclusives to xbox and pc. its called competition.
imagine phil saying "lets make a new diablo and sell it on ps (: " does it make sense to you ?

Halo 6 will be Nintendo Switch exclusive you heard it here first folks

I voted "not sure." It can go either way, if we are being honest. Xbox has been just as unpredictable in the last few years than Nintendo has. You just don't know what first party games are going to appear on other platforms. There always seems to be a different set of changing rules on how they handle each competing platform. So its anyone's guess. I'm not going to pretend I know one way or the other... and anyone who claims insight is as bad of a liar as Phil is.

@LtSarge You mean exclusive as far as the console space goes. Let's not forget that Microsoft Xbox has their own platform on PC and Steam is a competitor. And as far as we know, Quake wasn't exactly an existing franchise on PlayStation, so Phil's "legacy" argument doesn't hold water here.

I'm not too fussed by exclusives — there's enough games on every platform to have an enjoyable gaming experience wherever you are — but I do hope this acquisition encourages a few developments at Activision-Blizzard and its subsidiaries, no matter how unlikely:

• Local multiplayer in the Diablo II Remake, and possibly any other remakes of pre-2016 games (especially those that originally only supported online multiplayer, eg: many of the COD games). I know a lot of people will think this is unecessary, but it would further the appeal of the Xbox Series S as a "party console" or "family console" the way the Wii was circa 2013-2015.
• Action-RPGs (ala Skyrim) based on the Warcraft universe. If done correctly these games could be used to generate new interest in World of Warcraft while providing WoW players with insight into the series' lore and mythology. They could probably even get away with re-using some of WoW's assets.
• Remakes / Proper sequels of Archon, Vigilante 8, Star Control, GUN, Police Quest, King's Quest, Space Quest, StarCraft, Zork, etc.

As a free-to-play battle royale video game, Call of Duty: Warzone will likely remain multiplatform. Every future Call of Duty game will be exclusive just like every future Zenimax game. Remember that most people bought a PS4 to play GTA, FIFA or Call of Duty so Call of Duty won't be on PS, it will be on Xbox, Cloud and Windows. Otherwise they wouldn't have made this deal. They want Call of Duty on Game Pass, not on the PS Store.

As I said on the other article I wouldn't hold my breath for Playstation only users. You don't buy a company for $70 billion dollars to be a nice guy. You buy a company for $70 billion dollars because you really want to have one of the biggest selling franchises of all time under your belt.

Will be the same strategy as with Bethesda.
Live service games or legacy (already release games) will remain supported.
All future games will be exclusive.

So I think Warzone will 100% remain multiformat, and from 2023 COD onwards, the mainline games will be exclusive.
Although wouldn't surprise me to see MS sort out a Game Pass deal for 2022 COD while we wait for the deal to close.

@isturbo1984 quake was already mostly finished in development for Sony by the time the deal was done. It's not like people were going to switch consoles over a slightly remastered version of a really old game. They would have lost money to scrap the PS version at that point.

We might see the same thing with Diablo 4 since that is rumored to be out in 2023 or 2024. It's much more of a system seller than quake but it would be illegal for microsoft to make Activision abandon development until the deal is official in 2023. So it might be the same thing where they are like "well it is already just about done, might as well sell it."

@Carck Minecraft is probably the most casual game around and Microsoft spent billions on mojang but that's still multi platform and so was minecraft dungeons

@Chaudy It will take a year and a half at best to complete the acquisition so Activision will be independent until then.

@isturbo1984 Nowadays when somebody says "exclusive to Xbox", it means exclusive to the ecosystem, which consists of the Xbox console(s), smart devices through Cloud Gaming and PC, which can be either Microsoft's own platform and/or Steam as Microsoft's IPs are also being released on there. Steam isn't a competitor:

https://www.purexbox.com/news/2021/11/halo-infinites-multiplayer-is-already-xboxs-most-successful-title-on-steam

Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, Master Chief Collection and more are available on Steam.

In terms of Quake, it's not a new game so I guess that's why it came out on all consoles. Either that or it was already in development for those systems. We'll have to see more examples to gain a better understanding of Microsoft's strategy.

I dont think so, Cod makes too much money to be put as a exclusive.

I'm sure I read before that 80% of console call of duty players are on playstation, so let's say 30% of them get an xbox if call of duty goes exclusive, that's still 50% of a loss of players on console, call of duty won't be anywhere near as popular if its just on xbox, heck even now whilst it's multi plat is losing players, vanguards sales are 36% lower than the previous call of duty game in the UK.

Goes to show more people are interested in warzone than they are in the main games and the single player side of call of duty no one cares for.

If I was Microsoft I'd stop with the yearly releases and in-corporate the usual multiplayer modes into warzone and have it all in one free to play game

@LtSarge @Somebody That is what they did with Compulsion Games and Double Fine, the PS4 versions of their games were already developed so Microsoft just released them.

@UltimateOtaku91 "RUMOR: Microsoft building Switch Pro prototype for Nintendo. Trademark for CoD: Dolphin mentioned"

Sworn off cod since I got ripped off with modern warzone hopefully Microsoft will make the franchise better again doubt it though with one they've done to halo

Existing games will stay, new games after the sale completes will be exclusives. For the reason you not will see Spiderman or God Of War on Xbox

Warzone will stay multiplat but future releases will be exclusive. We did the same dance with Bethesda, you do not spend all that money to give your competition the goods. Future games will be only on platforms with gamepass, same with Bethesda

War Zone yes. CoD 2023 and beyond.. no way. This will be debated until it happens but it’s just like elder scrolls. ESO is still on PS but ES6? Seee yah.

I'm sure they'll keep Warzone on PS5 and Multi-player will go free to play for ALL - inc PS5 to keep both online communities and have all that history of CoD to offer a great 'Online' only MP experience.

However, all those NOT employed with the ONLINE CoD presence, will be free to make whatever games they want - whether that's a new IP or new game in a MS owned growing portfolio of IP's. If Infinity Ward want to make another FPS military based single player story that suits the CoD name, that will be exclusive to game pass. That means Treyarch, High Moon, Sledgehammer, Raven etc can all be making games that come to Game Pass day 1 instead of busting a gut too try and keep CoD on an Annual cycle.

If I want to play R&C, Wolverine or any of Sony's new 1st Party games (not including those delayed legacy titles coming soon) I have to buy a Playstation 5. If I want to play Xbox games day 1, I can play 'ANYWHERE' Game Pass exists - that's PC's, Mobile/tablets, and, as only current platform to support Game Pass as well as being MS's console platform, the Xbox.

This is NOT about limiting out PS, Sony could allow Game Pass there, its about getting people into Game Pass on what ever platform you have just not (currently) PS as it doesn't support GP yet

100% yes, eventually.

I think they'll still have the "Casual" battle royale/F2P offering that will be multiplat but I'd guess by 2024 the "Premium" COD experience (Campaign/Classic MP/zombies etc) will be exclusive. I'd be shocked if it wasn't.

It'll become an exclusive to Xbox I think reading the statements. And Warzone will remain multi play.
But reading the end of the world arrogant comments in Push Square I'm glad, Sony deserves it if that's what its fans are like. They still proclaims Xbox isn't making any money, Game Pass isn't sustainable, it's the only way for Xbox to remain relevant.. utter BS it really is, the salt is very strong with them today.

@UltimateOtaku91 Don't like it don't read it, stay on Push Square moaning and complaining about this buy out like you have been.

@S1ayeR74 He's the one that says that it's the only way for Xbox to stay relevant and that Microsoft lose money with Game Pass (something that Sammy Barker always say on PS although they don't have a clue). They also like to hate Phil Spencer because why not. Besides, there are more articles about this deal on PS than on PX.

What do you think the chance of us getting a proper modern warfare 2 multiplayer remaster this needs to happen now surely.

@Banjo- I’m quite happy with GP but how can you argue they are making money on it? I have not once paid for it and I’m sure there are many others who use the rewards to pay for it, plus people get deals and discounts. There won’t be a large group paying full price. With the games they pay to get on there they are 100% losing money right now.

@FatalBubbles Then why Xbox revenue increases year by year since Game Pass started? It's working and they sell more software than before so Game Pass is not cannibalising sales. Microsoft aren't stupid.

In regard to discounts, etc. The 1 pound/euro/dollar deal is once per account and for 3 months. The Gold to Game Pass Ultimate conversion is 1 pound/euro/dollar on top of what you paid for Gold but up to 3 years. My converted subscription expires in June, then I'll have to pay the regular price. Microsoft Rewards is relatively new but I guess Bing advertisements and positioning is what pays for that. I bet most consumers don't use Microsoft Rewards as much, regardless.

@Banjo- I promise you they are not making money on GamePass right now. It’s a loss leader. They’ve got the pockets to handle that kind of thing. Down the road it will make them money if they get enough subs.

It is obvious. They do the same as they did with Bethesda deal. All of the games will be Xbox/Pc exclusives, especially big guns such as COD and Blizzard games.

These are the two more important paragraphs in Microsoft's announcement:

"The fantastic franchises across Activision Blizzard will also accelerate our plans for Cloud Gaming, allowing more people in more places around the world to participate in the Xbox community using phones, tablets, laptops and other devices you already own. Activision Blizzard games are enjoyed on a variety of platforms and we plan to continue to support those communities moving forward.

As a company, Microsoft is committed to our journey for inclusion in every aspect of gaming, among both employees and players. We deeply value individual studio cultures. We also believe that creative success and autonomy go hand-in-hand with treating every person with dignity and respect. We hold all teams, and all leaders, to this commitment. We’re looking forward to extending our culture of proactive inclusion to the great teams across Activision Blizzard".

In the first paragraph other consoles (PS5 and Switch) are excluded while laptops, tablets and phones are included.

In the second paragraph they're saying that once this is completed they will get rid of what and who make Activision an uncomfortable place to work in but it can't be done yet:

"Until this transaction closes, Activision Blizzard and Microsoft Gaming will continue to operate independently. Once the deal is complete, the Activision Blizzard business will report to me as CEO, Microsoft Gaming".

To be totally honest, I think that the Activision Blizzard staff is very happy with the news. PS "towers" are burning up, though.

I hope it does, just to piss off my friend who’s a sony fanboy lol

New games will be obviously exclusives, the only thing not yet known is if it will start already in 2023 or just a year or so later...

@fabio1
Wow you sound like a nice friend

hoping for a Warcraft game here! maybe a WOW reboot on XBOX X|S

It will be just like the Bethesda deal. All the current games like Warzone and Vanguard will still be on the platform, I think by 2023 or 2024 all Call Of Duty games will be exclusive..

Of course they will be exclusive to gamepass and xbox. You don't drop 70 billion to keep things the way they are. Some of you people are not looking at things long term.

The idea is to promote gamepass, and only gamepass. It will be just like it was with TES 5 and Minecraft. Whatever platforms they were already on will remain the same. But future games will be exclusive.

Between, xbox + gamepass (xbox, pc, mobile) M$ does not need the tiny ponds of Nintendo nor Sony.

It's hard to say. The main goal initially is to make back the nearly $70 billion they just spent. I could see Microsoft potentially keeping Call of Duty on Playstation if they think that the sales there would be substantial enough to outweigh the people that would buy Xboxes for Call of Duty or subscribe to Gamepass. Personally, I'm unsure if the new Xbox owners or Gamepass subscribers would outweigh the current Playstation player base, but I'm no market analyst or anything.

if they want to make money no it wont go exclusive

if they want to become xbox to become bigger they will make it exclusive

i dont think making back the money is a priority its microsft they would rather spend it than pay tax on it

I am sure Warzone will remain multi-plat.
I am sure new CoD entries will be exclusive starting 2023 or 2024.
I expect sooner or later Warzone will be phased out as they introduce a new sequel that will likely be Xbox/PC exclusive.

I also expect CoD to stop being an anual release, maybe shift to every other year, and invest more dev time into other IPs like Tony Hawk, Crash and Spyro.

@LtSarge Yeah, I'm just not subscribed to that nonsense. Microsoft has their own proprietary platform in the PC space, just like they have their own proprietary platform in the console space. Just callin it as I sees it. Wanted to point out Microsoft and Phil say one thing... then turn around and do something else. You are free to believe what you wish in the meantime. I already pointed out the contrary though and have nothing more to add there.

@gollumb82
Best comment I have read in all week. I miss the old SOF2 in PC.

They've made loads of money releasing across all platforms, and I think it'd be a mistake to not keep that up as not everyone who plays the series on Playstation will go out and buy it on Xbox or PC. If the series is put onto Game Pass then that may be incentive enough to switch platforms.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Xbox and/or PC get exclusive DLC, or be released a week earlier or something.

I'm highly interested to see how this all plays out. Of the big 3, I think MS is the one most likely to willingly put its games on other platforms where it makes sense. For example, if new Crash Bandicoot and Spyro games get made, I could see Phil Spencer deciding to put them on PlayStation, due to legacy, and Nintendo due to the fact Nintendo fans love platformers. Of course, the big games, ones that could move consoles such as Call of Duty, I'd expect will be exclusive. A new Tony Hawk wouldn't move the needle like CoD but the series does have a following so that too is one that'd likely be exclusive.

MS will make money by keeping these games across as many platforms as possible. The hysteria needs to stop.

I don’t think the ‘war’ between MS and Sony will be about console exclusives. If a PS5 user buys the next CoD for 70 dollars money will still roll in for MS. More important is its Gamepass exclusivity. If a Xbox Gamepass member can get the game ‘for free’ on release and if CoD is not included in the Sony ‘Gamepass’ (Whenever that comes) then that a big plus for MS. Console exclusivity would be contraproductive inthis case because releasing on PS5 fullprice would be free marketing for Xbox Gamepass.

Wouldn't care either way as I have an Xbox. It's a great move on MSFTs part. In my 2020 museum it showed my most played game still today, was COD4 Modern Warfare on Xbox 360 back in 2007. Hopefully it allows them to focus more on the story again instead of the same ol same ol every year with small changes. But maybe not