Microsoft will bring Call of Duty to Nintendo devices if Activision's deal closes

The decision appears to be an olive branch for the Federal Trade Commission, which may vote to block the $69 billion acquisition in a closed session on Thursday.

In a last-minute attempt to appease antitrust regulators, Microsoft said Tuesday night that it would bring the hit video game franchise Call of Duty to Nintendo devices if its $69 billion acquisition of game maker Activision Blizzard has been completed.

Microsoft's deal to buy Activision - biggest tech deal mainstream since AOL bought Time Warner two decades ago - is under scrutiny by antitrust regulators around the world.

Many in the industry video game companies expect the Federal Trade Commission to discuss the acquisition in a closed session scheduled for Thursday. The commission could vote on whether to take legal action in an effort to block the deal.

Regulators are primarily focused on concerns that the Consumers would be harmed if Microsoft, which makes the Xbox console, withheld Activision games from competitors or unfairly exploited popular Activision titles as more video games were released online. to change video game devices made by Nintendo, one of Microsoft's rivals, is part of Microsoft's effort to signal that it would not block popular gaming from devices made by other companies.

< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0 "> Microsoft also announced that it will continue its commitment to publish Call of Duty with Valve, the maker of the Steam distribution platform, which is popular with gamers who play on computers personal rather than game consoles. The latest version of Call of Duty is already available on Steam.

"We wondered if what we say is really how we act, and I think having two major industry partners in a way shows that our intention is real and that we can make deals is a big thing right now,” said Phil Spencer, general manager of Microsoft’s games business. , in an interview.

Call of Duty is also a key video game for Sony's PlayStation console, and Microsoft has offered to continue this relationship for at least another 10 years whether the Activision deal goes through. Sony declined to comment on Microsoft's offer after it was made. Sony opposed Microsoft's acquisition of Activision, arguing it would narrow choices for gamers .

"We are pleased that Microsoft would like you will continue to use Steam to reach customers with Call of Duty as they close their acquisition of Activision,” Gabe Newell, president of Valve, said in a statement. "Microsoft has been on Steam for a long time and we take this as a signal that they are happy with the welcome from players and the work we are doing."

Nintendo n did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A long-running franchise in which players fight in historic, current, and futuristic battles, Call of Duty is a crown jewel in Activision's portfolio. It generated over $30 billion in revenue. The latest release, Modern Warfare II, grossed over $1 billion in just 10 days.

For Nintendo, adding a shooter to violent first-person like Call of Duty to the slew of titles available to play on the Switch would be an uncommon departure. The company has long protected the fun, family-friendly brand it's developed over decades through iconic franchises like Mario, Pokemon and The Legend of Zelda, though it does offer more mature games and more. Nintendo devices have hosted Call of Duty.

Sony and Microsoft have often argued over a similar segment of so-called hardcore gamers, who might be more drawn to dark, story-driven or challenging and violent games fighting games.

But Nintendo has built an...