Microsoft Again Insists – No Plans to Make Blizzard/Activision Games Exclusive

Following Microsoft’s shock purchase of Activision/Blizzard earlier this year, one of the most consistent questions the gaming community has had since is whether this was a precursor to them eventually choosing to make the studios gaming releases exclusive to Xbox consoles and PC. – Admittedly, it did seem like a logical conclusion to make, but while Microsoft has denied that such action was going to take place, it’s hard to deny that the words they have used seem suspicious and how carefully they have been chosen.

Following a report via TechSpot, however, Microsoft has (for what I think is the third time now) reiterated that they have no plans to make Activision/Blizzard gaming titles exclusive. In other words, Sony PlayStation is still, apparently, invited to the party!

Microsoft Hold Firms in Keeping Activision/Blizzard Open to Sony PlayStation

Interest in the subject was recently raised again when earlier this month Sony said that it would be practically impossible for them to ever make a first-party title to compete (in terms of overall franchise establishment) with Call of Duty. – Following, fresh comments made to Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), however, Microsoft has, once again, confirmed that they have no plans to exclude Sony PlayStation from any upcoming releases.

Remember what I said earlier about Microsoft’s choice of words though? Well, here we have the potential kicker. All they really keep confirming is that all confirmed titles due for launch will include a PlayStation release… ALL CONFIRMED TITLES.

Why is this distinction important? Well, just for example, with the next Call of Duty due to release this November, it’s still entirely possible that the next one, which has clearly not been confirmed yet, may be an Xbox/PC exclusive. This would ultimately mean that Microsoft never lied, they were just economical with the truth!

Will this happen though? Well, excluding one of the best-selling consoles from your gaming releases seems, on the surface, to be a completely ridiculous move. Then again, this does cut both ways. Sony hasn’t exactly been overly willing to bring its popular first-party titles to Xbox, so why should Microsoft allow what is now theirs to go the other way?… – Let’s not forget too that Call of Duty is a huge franchise and would clearly help sales for their Xbox consoles. Given that the PS5 is reportedly outselling the Xbox Series X on a ratio of 3:1, you wouldn’t rule Microsoft making it exclusive to help boost sales. And hell, it’d probably work to some extent!

What do you think, though? I mean, sooner or later, it feels enviable that at least some Activision/Blizzard games will be Microsoft exclusives, but do you really think this will happen? – Let us know in the comments!