Microsoft has suggested that it would make full use of PlayStation consoles’ features when releasing Call of Duty games for Sony systems, should its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard go through.
In its latest response to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA),Microsoftclaims that not only will it guarantee full feature parity onPlayStationconsoles, but that the versions onSony‘s systems may have more features than onXbox.
The most notable example of this is the use of haptic feedback on thePlayStation 5‘s DualSense controller, something not offered with theXbox Series X/Scontroller.
Microsoft’s response implies that any future Call of Duty games released on PlayStation consoles would still include that feature, even if it made the PlayStation version superior.
“The Parties note, in particular, that there is no basis in the Provisional Findings for what would essentially amount to a “beyond parity” obligation, requiring Microsoft to develop a PlayStation version of CoD which has more features than the Xbox version,” the company writes.
It goes on to explain that the concern being raised by Sony is that a PlayStation version of Call of Duty published by Microsoft could see the Xbox company including “fewer features” or “degrading the graphical quality”, but claims that in reality it’s in Microsoft’s best interests to release the best version of the game it can so more people will buy it.
“As Microsoft will be shipping CoD on PlayStation in compliance with its remedy commitments [redacted], Microsoft will have every incentive to develop games with optimised support for PS5 features, such as haptics, and future consoles in order to maximise sales on the platform,” it claimed.
Sony claimed earlier this month that Microsoftcould release degraded or even buggy versionsof Call of Duty games on PlayStation consoles should it acquireActivision Blizzard.
“Swiftly detecting any diversions from, and ensuring compliance with, a commitment as to technical or graphical quality would be challenging,” Sony stated. “For example, Microsoft might release a PlayStation version of Call of Duty where bugs and errors emerge only on the game’s final level or after later updates.
“Even if such degradations could be swiftly detected, any remedy would likely come too late, by which time the gaming community would have lost confidence in PlayStation as a go-to venue to play Call of Duty.”
Further reading
Microsoft has repeatedly claimed it hasoffered Sony a 10-year, legally enforceable contractto make each new Call of Duty game available on PlayStation the same day it comes to Xbox –with full content and feature parity.
The company has also said it’sprepared to commit to appointing a third-party assessorto ensure it does not drift from its commitments over the 10-year period.
In its latest response to the CMA, Microsoft also said10 years is long enough for Sony to develop rival offeringsto the Call of Duty franchise should Xbox acquireActivision’s shooter series
