In his private correspondence, the head of Sony Interactive Entertainment has remained cautiously optimistic about collaboration with Microsoft and the continued availability of the Call of Duty series on Sony platforms, even as Microsoft publicly suggested it might reevaluate the shooter for Sony consoles. This stance has been reported by Ars Technica.
In one exchange from January 2022, he conveyed a belief that the next installments in the Call of Duty franchise would not become exclusive to a single ecosystem, highlighting the scale and resources behind the move to secure broad distribution. The tone suggested a preference for stability and ongoing cross‑platform availability, even as major industry shifts were occurring.
Further statements indicated productive discussions with Microsoft’s leadership, including the head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, as well as executives at Activision Blizzard, reflecting a broader dialogue about how the post‑merger landscape would shape competition and collaboration across leading publishers. The correspondence underscored a belief that cooperative ventures among game companies were possible despite intense market dynamics.
In one letter, the Sony executive emphasized confidence that popular titles from Activision Blizzard would continue to reach PlayStation players for years to come. He acknowledged concerns about the consummation of the Activision Blizzard acquisition but argued that the industry would adapt and maintain orderly outcomes.
During a mid‑year hearing about the Microsoft deal with Activision Blizzard, questions about Sony’s future plans for the sector were raised in the context of a newly announced PlayStation device. The executive spoke about strategic positioning and the potential implications for Sony’s hardware roadmap, including the then‑unannounced PlayStation 6, while reiterating Sony’s interest in ensuring a balanced, multi‑platform strategy for core franchises.
Microsoft’s 2022 announcement of its agreement to acquire Activision Blizzard valued at a record figure set off a wave of regulatory scrutiny in the United States and beyond. Regulators weighed the deal for potential impacts on competition and consumer choice, evaluating how a major consolidation would influence pricing, access, and the wider ecosystem for console gaming. Industry observers noted that the outcome could influence platforms, publishers, and the development cycle of flagship franchises that shape the gaming landscape for years to come.