Sony suggests Microsoft could intentionally make CoD buggy on PlayStation
In a recently released document, Sony shared observations on ways Microsoft could potentially impact the release of Call of Duty on platforms like PlayStation.
A recently released document containing Sony’s observations on remedies from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority was shared that includes a number of interesting statements. Among these is one where Sony suggests that Microsoft could potentially hinder the release of games like Call of Duty on platforms like PlayStation by releasing a version where “bugs and errors emerge only on the game’s final level or after later updates.”
Sony went on to stress that even if Microsoft was operating in good faith it’d still naturally prioritize its own Xbox versions of games like Call of Duty.
Sony claims as well that Microsoft has failed to show real commitment to reaching “a negotiated outcome” as shared by outlets like Eurogamer, and that it’s dragging its feet and engaging “only when they sensed the regulatory outlook was darkening, and favored negotiating in the media over engaging with SIE.”
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Microsoft responded to Sony in a statement provided to Eurogamer where it points to the CMA issuing its Provisional Findings and how it’s offered solutions including a guarantee of parity between Xbox and PlayStation.
It’ll be interesting to see, should Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard go through, whether the company attempts any of the actions suggested by Sony. Or, if it holds to its word that it won’t interfere in the release of games like Call of Duty on platforms like PlayStation.
Now that you’re caught up on Sony’s statements, and Microsoft’s response, be sure to read through some of our previous coverage including Microsoft insisting Game Pass prices won't increase with its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and Microsoft signing an agreement to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo players.
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Morgan Shaver posted a new article, Sony suggests Microsoft could intentionally make CoD buggy on PlayStation
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Even if they weren't, CoD is a $70 franchise, and there are like 120MM PS4+5 devices out there. It would be penny wise and pound foolish to spend $70BN on this acquisition and then sabotage the crown jewel. Putting bugs in CoD isn't going to make people switch over from PS to XBOX, hell making CoD exclusive wouldn't either, and both Sony and MS know that. Sony's just saying dumb shit to try and block the merger. I definitely can't blame them, but still, it's a dumb "what if".
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It's not about 'making COD buggy'. Think of all the properties MS with Activision would support. They could release perfectly playable games while stull ultimately giving Sony the reputation of being the platform where 3rd party ports are worse.
There's no reason not to put some restrictions or guarantees on this sort of deal; these types of mergers aren't good for consumers and getting at least some protections against that in writing at least ensures no idiot VP at MS moves in that direction in the future.-
That seems far fetched imo.
But this could happen entirely as a self own without needing a 3rd party doing it. Just look at Baldurs Gate 3 not being released on Xbox yet because they haven't been able to get split screen mode running on the Series S and MS is not allowing them to remove it from one that SKU,. so in the meantime no game at all.
Or PlayStation 3 during the 1st years that it was a pain to develop for it.
MS will definitely want that CoD money flowing and sabotaging their own games will not get them sympathy imo.-
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I agree with you on that. Not only because I think it’s detrimental to gaming in general but also because I have low expectations on MS ability to manage all these studios I’m just basing that on their previous gen output and the 343i ordeal.
MS also was about to quit Xbox entirely after Xbox One but Phil convinced the top dogs he could steer the ship back to glory.
But I think the deal is inevitable. -
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In other news after finally finishing Elden Ring Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Returnal and a litany of JRPGs, Sony Execs have finally played a CoD game. President and CEO of SIE, Jim Ryan, was reported saying, "What the fuck is this? I fell off the map. How do you fall off a map? There were all of these blank squares at the top of the screen. What's up with that? I attempted cross-play and I got some kind of DemonSeedFaillTunnel01 error? What the hell? I wanted to see what all the hype was about, because the numbers for these games are phenomenal, and when I tried to join a game with Dave Hewett he was shooting a gun, but his arm was hanging out in front of him! People pay for this?"
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Yes Sony, tell us more about making specific versions of a game better than others: https://www.gamesradar.com/hogwarts-legacy-playstation-exclusive-quest-haunted-hogsmeade-shop/