[GameSpot] - Microsoft And Sony "Not Close" To Agreeing To Terms For Call Of Duty Deal - Report

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Microsoft has reached a 10-year deal with Nintendo to put Call of Duty on Nintendo platforms if the Xbox company succeeds in its attempt to buy Activision Blizzard. However, it appears Microsoft and Sony are still at odds for a similar deal.

According to GI.biz's sources, a deal between the two companies is "not close." Microsoft president Brad Smith said at a meeting with regulators in Brussels this week, "We haven't agreed [to] a deal with Sony, but I hope we will," according to the site. Smith reportedly had a piece of paper in his pocket that contained the terms of the deal to demonstrate that Microsoft is ready to make a deal with Sony.

Smith added that Sony can continue to spend time and resources trying to block the deal from happening or it can come to the bargaining table and try to hammer out a deal. As of yet, that reportedly has not happened, though we may never know the nature of extent of talks that happen behind closed doors, off the record, and via back channels.

According to Smith, Sony's own deal with Activision Blizzard for Call of Duty context exclusivity ends after 2024, though Sony has yet to comment on this claim. Smith mentioned this potentially key detail in an interview, unprompted, and there could be any number of reasons for that. One possibility is that it could create public pressure on Sony to come to the table now that everyone knows Sony's own deal for Call of Duty is coming to an end (according to Smith).

Smith said Microsoft is offering Sony a 10-year "legally binding" agreement for the Call of Duty series, the terms of which are better--he believes--than the arrangement Sony currently has with Activision Blizzard.

"So when we bring out a new version of Call of Duty on Xbox, it will be available on Sony PlayStation on the same day, on the same terms, with the same features. It really ensures parity. I think everybody who has looked at this would say it's a better deal for Sony than the one they have right now with Activision Blizzard that will expire next year," Smith said.

Beyond its commitment with Nintendo, Microsoft also committed to bringing Call of Duty to GeForce Now. Smith, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, Jim Ryan from PlayStation, and other higher-ups are meeting with regulators in Brussels this week to make their cases as to why Microsoft's deal to buy Activision Blizzard should, or should not, go through. Keep checking back with GameSpot for the latest.

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