Microsoft is still in the process of acquiring Activision Blizzard, and while regulators are cracking down on Microsoft, PlayStation is turning up some heat of its own as well.
Among the largest concerns regulators have expressed was the idea that certain significant game series particularly the Call of Duty franchise, one of the largest games series on the planet might become platform-exclusive to Xbox as a result of the acquisition.
While the first statement only said that the series would remain multi-platform for the remainder of the current contract between Activision and PlayStation parent company Sony.
On Monday, Xbox president Phil Spencer clarified that Microsoft has signed an offer with Sony to keep the game on PlayStation beyond that contract, as well.
While none of these deals are set in stone, (outside of the initial one, which was made before Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard began) both companies have incentive to continue these semi-public negotiations.
For Microsoft, it’s a chance to prove to regulators that it’s working with Sony to ensure it doesn’t monopolize franchises like Call of Duty, while Sony has the opportunity to get a more favorable deal while Microsoft is under a bit of extra pressure.