Once the acquisition of Activision Blizzard is formalized, Microsoft intends to publish the next games of the Call of Duty franchise also on Steam and Nintendo Switch. While regarding the Japanese console Phil Spencer – CEO of Microsoft Gaming – has promised a ten-year agreement, for Steam this will not be necessary.
Steam: “You don’t need a deal to have Call of Duty”
Phil Spencer has already moved a contract proposal to Valve Corporation (company that runs Steam). However, the agreement would have been rejected, as unnecessary. Gabe Newell of Valve has in fact publicly thanked Microsoft, declaring:
“We are happy that Microsoft will continue to use Steam to reach gamers with Call of Duty once the Activision acquisition is closed. Microsoft has been on Steam for a long time, and for us this is a sign that they are satisfied with the reception of players and the work we are doing. Our job is to continue to build features of value not only for Microsoft, but for all Steam customers and partners.”
Newell then explained why agreement is not necessary:
“Microsoft sent us a draft agreement for a long-term commitment to Call of Duty, but we didn’t need to sign it for three reasons. Primarily we do not believe in the need to ask any partner for an agreement which binds them to release games on Steam for the long term. Secondly Phil and Microsoft Gaming have always lived up to their commitments, so we trust their intentions. In the end we believe that Microsoft has no reason to give up on our platform”.
-
View all articles