Striking Microsoft Nintendo deal brings CoD to Nintendo devices

• The much-awaited Microsoft Nintendo deal has been signed, sealing a 10-year agreement for Call of Duty to be available on Nintendo devices.
• Microsoft President Brad Smith confirmed the news via Twitter, highlighting the company’s commitment to bringing Xbox games to more players on more platforms.
• The agreement ensures Nintendo owners can experience Call of Duty in the same way that Xbox and PlayStation gamers have been able to for years.
• Call of Duty has not been available on Nintendo since 2013’s Call of Duty: Ghosts for Wii U.

In a move that will undoubtedly excite Nintendo owners, Microsoft has officially confirmed that it has signed a 10-year agreement to bring the hugely popular Call of Duty franchise to Nintendo devices on the same day as Xbox, complete with all features and content.

This exciting news was revealed by Microsoft President Brad Smith himself via Twitter. Smith was keen to point out that this deal was just one part of the company’s ongoing commitment to bring Xbox games and Activision titles to more players across multiple platforms.

We’ve now signed a binding 10-year contract to bring Xbox games to Nintendo’s gamers. This is just part of our commitment to bring Xbox games and Activision titles like Call of Duty to more players on more platforms. pic.twitter.com/JmO0hzw1BO

— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) February 21, 2023

What’s the real purpose of the Microsoft Nintendo deal?

The Microsoft Nintendo deal is likely a move by Microsoft to put pressure on Sony to accept a comparable agreement and alleviate regulatory concerns about competition. Sony has become one of Microsoft’s primary opponents to its acquisition bid, arguing that it could limit competition by keeping major titles such as Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox consoles and Microsoft’s services like Game Pass.

The tweet from Brad Smith, the President of Microsoft, suggests that in addition to Call of Duty, there may be other Xbox games included in the Microsoft Nintendo deal, although no specific franchises have been mentioned.

Smith has also stated that a similar 10-year deal could be offered to Sony if they are interested. However, the chief of PlayStation, Jim Ryan, previously rejected a Microsoft offer to keep Call of Duty on Sony’s consoles for several more years beyond an existing marketing deal, describing it as inadequate on many levels.

Under the terms of the agreement, Nintendo owners will now be able to experience Call of Duty in the same way that Xbox and PlayStation gamers have been able to enjoy the game for years. This Microsoft Nintendo deal marks a significant shift, as Call of Duty has not been available on Nintendo devices since 2013’s Call of Duty: Ghosts for Wii U.

This announcement comes amid Microsoft’s massive $68.7 billion acquisition deal, which has faced intense resistance from regulators on both sides of the Atlantic. The US Federal Trade Commission, in particular, has expressed concerns that the deal could “harm competition in high-performance gaming consoles and subscription services by denying or degrading rivals’ access to its popular content.”

Despite this opposition, Microsoft has been quick to reassure gamers that it has no plans to remove Call of Duty from PlayStation and will continue to release the franchise on the platform for as long as there are PlayStation consoles to ship to.

All in all, this agreement represents a major coup for Nintendo, which has been making significant strides in recent years to establish itself as a serious player in the gaming world. With Call of Duty now set to join the ranks of Nintendo’s other popular titles, such as Mario and Zelda, the future looks bright for the Japanese gaming giant.