Microsoft agrees to a 10-year deal to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo Switch for the first time, pending FTC approval of its Activision deal, but offers no date

Microsoft has signed a deal to bring the Activision Blizzard-published Call of Duty franchise to Nintendo for the first time …

Washington Post 2022-12-07 Shannon Liao

Context & Ripple Effects

Microsoft’s proposed Nintendo commitment became more concrete in subsequent coverage: Brad Smith described it as a binding 10-year same-day-release contract, while UK CMA filings later outlined an optimized engine approach for Switch ports. The agreement therefore served both as a distribution promise and as evidence that the franchise could technically reach Nintendo hardware.

The later 10-year PlayStation agreement extended the same access commitment to Call of Duty’s other major console audience, placing the Nintendo deal within Microsoft’s broader effort to preserve multi-platform availability around Activision.

First-order effects

Nintendo gains a contingent long-term commitment for Call of Duty releases alongside Xbox, while Microsoft takes on the obligation to support a new console platform if its Activision transaction is approved.
Activision’s Call of Duty teams must plan for Switch-compatible releases; the later CMA filings indicate Microsoft was already framing engine optimization and prior ports as the route to doing so.

Second-order effects

Sony’s later 10-year PlayStation deal means Microsoft’s post-transaction Call of Duty strategy is constrained by comparable long-term access commitments across competing consoles, rather than Xbox exclusivity.
Nintendo can use a prospective Call of Duty presence to strengthen third-party software appeal, while Microsoft must balance release parity against the technical work needed for the Switch version.

Third-order effects

If these commitments hold, major game acquisitions will increasingly be assessed not only on ownership of marquee franchises but on enforceable distribution terms for rival platforms.
Platform competition around blockbuster games shifts toward negotiated access guarantees, with technical portability becoming part of the credibility of those guarantees.

The trend: Microsoft’s Call of Duty commitments point to a model in which cross-platform licensing and porting assurances become central to securing approval for large game-industry deals.

Discussion

Pure Xbox Fraser Gilbert on x
Xbox's Phil Spencer Explains How Call Of Duty Will Work On Nintendo
Gameranx Paul James on x
Xbox Commits Call Of Duty For 10 Years To Steam, Nintendo - No PlayStation Agreement Struck
@xboxp3 Phil Spencer on x
Microsoft has entered into a 10-year commitment to bring Call of Duty to @Nintendo following the merger of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard King.  Microsoft is committed to helping bring more games to more people - however they choose to play. @ATVI_AB
@bradsmi Brad Smith on x
Our acquisition will bring Call of Duty to more gamers and more platforms than ever before. That's good for competition and good for consumers. Thank you @Nintendo. Any day @Sony wants to sit down and talk, we'll be happy to hammer out a 10-year deal for PlayStation as well. http…
@xboxp3 Phil Spencer on x
I'm also pleased to confirm that Microsoft has committed to continue to offer Call of Duty on @Steam simultaneously to Xbox after we have closed the merger with Activision Blizzard King. @ATVI_AB @ValveSoftware
@shannon_liao Shannon Liao on x
NEW: Microsoft says it will bring Call of Duty to Nintendo Switch for ten years, if it successfully acquires Activision Blizzard. Development would start after June 2023. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...
@dinabass Dina Bass on x
Microsoft's offered a similar deal to Sony but they haven't accepted. @XboxP3 isn't mincing words about that: “From where we sit, it's clear they're spending more time with the regulators than they are with us to try and get this deal done,” he said in an interview
@345triangle Sam Byford on x
what year is this? call of duty was on the wii. and the wii u. and the DS the way this discussion goes down without microsoft is activision says “hi nintendo here is a switch version of CoD, please put it on your store” and nintendo says “cool thx ok” https://www.nytimes.com/... …
@cullend Cullen on x
I mean this is the most simple and brilliant move by MSFT. Would cost a boatload to cloud render CoD for a decade for “free”. But would also open the door to ... <says the phrase> “bring xCloud to Switch @fxshaw” https://twitter.com/...
@g27status @g27status on x
Xbox is attempting to isolate any and all arguments PlayStation has arisen that suggest the Activision deal would be “bad for gaming.” Moves like these may provide the perspective that the deal is only “bad for PlayStation” which is very different in the eyes of regulators. https…
@deantak Dean Takahashi on x
Can't wait to see those graphics https://twitter.com/...
@shannon_liao Shannon Liao on x
Asked about the timing of this coming when the FTC is still reviewing the Microsoft-Activision deal, Spencer said this could make it look more like major partners like Nintendo and Valve *are* willing to work with Microsoft. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...
@okami13_ @okami13_ on x
Steam will also continue to get COD until at least 2033 assuming the deal goes through. https://twitter.com/...
@johntv John Ricciardi on x
NY Times talking about Nintendo like it's still 1994 is def strange https://twitter.com/...
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer says Sony is “spending more time with the regulators than they are with us to try and get this deal done” for 10 years of Call of Duty on PlayStation https://twitter.com/...
@nickstatt Nick Statt on x
Microsoft keeps putting the ball in Sony's court over Activision deal. Of course Sony won't negotiate. They want the deal killed. They won't come to the table unless it's absolutely necessary. A lot easier to defend your store commissions by lobbying regulators. https://twitter.c…
@stevecla Steve Clayton on x
tip @Techmeme Microsoft has entered into a 10-year commitment to bring Call of Duty to @Nintendo following the merger of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard King
@vicious696 Parris on x
My 2 cents is good! Keeping Steam and adding Nintendo along with Xbox, and Playstation as options to play is simply a win for everyone Choice is always a good thing https://twitter.com/...
@powreturns @powreturns on x
warzone 2 on the switch https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@charlieintel @charlieintel on x
In an interview with The Washington Post, Xbox's Phil Spencer says their intention is to bring new Call of Duty games to Nintendo, but previously released CoD games will “be looked at” too. Their intention is new Call of Duty releases on PS, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo same time. http…
@andreapichinini Andrea Pichinini on x
- Xbox to Sony: I offer you 10 years of COD - Sony: forever or no deal! - Xbox: your loss. I'll give it to Nintendo instead. https://twitter.com/...
@genepark Gene Park on x
don't get hung up on the 10-year “deadline” for call of duty on Nintendo consoles, @XboxP3 says. it's just legalese and there's no real intent to stop after 10 years. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...
@dinabass Dina Bass on x
Microsoft signs 10-year Call of Duty deal with Nintendo on the eve of its meeting with the US FTC to make its final case in favor of the Activision deal: https://www.bloomberg.com/... by @vladsavov
@benjisales Benji-Sales on x
People shouldn't be focusing on current Switch whose hardware is admittedly very dated now Switch 2 is right around the corner, likely launching in the next 18 months. 10 Years guaranteed of Call of Duty on Nintendo Platforms is HUGE especially as its been skipping the platform
@skillupyt @skillupyt on x
Live Nintendo fan reaction https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@legacykillahd Michael on x
Microsoft going on a PR blitz as of late & this latest move is certainly a big ole “screw you” to Sony's efforts trying to kill the Activision Blizzard deal which now looks destined to be approved (eventually) by regulators. https://twitter.com/...
@paultassi Paul Tassi on x
Yeah I don't know what's motivating Sony to play ball here at all. Either Microsoft loses, which is what they want, or Microsoft wins and they still get Call of Duty on PlayStation anyway since Microsoft doesn't want to lose that revenue https://twitter.com/...
@destinlegarie Destin on x
Kinda makes PlayStation look bad thumbing their nose at 10 years. I guess everyone else will have CoD in the meantime. https://twitter.com/...
@klobrille @klobrille on x
The Activision Blizzard x Xbox acquisition would now have the following confirmed benefits for gamers & creators: • 10-year commitment to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo • wider games access by launching ABK titles into Game Pass & Cloud • neutral stand on unionization efforts htt…
@benjisales Benji-Sales on x
Huge news from Microsoft via @XboxP3 for the future of the Call of Duty Franchise • Microsoft has entered into a 10 Year commitment with Nintendo to bring COD to Nintendo Platforms • Microsoft has committed to launching future COD games on Steam Simultaneously with Xbox https://t…
@jezcorden Jez on x
Nintendo has more hentai than PlayStation and Xbox combined lmao. https://twitter.com/...
@shannon_liao Shannon Liao on x
Sony has not agreed to a 10 year deal keeping CoD on PlayStation. Spencer told me, “We just have not been able to make progress with Sony.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ...
@theghostofhope Hope on x
It's crazy to realize the huge swaths of population that will be able to indulge in Call of Duty titles in the long term if it comes to every market and platform available like Microsoft plans to do. -Mobile -PC -Steam Deck -Nintendo Switch -Xbox -Playstation
@serkantoto @serkantoto on x
Is there any way to make it clearer this is a publicity stunt by Microsoft? https://twitter.com/...

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