GAMERTIMES

With Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 officially confirmed and some big-name celebs set to join the game, Microsoft is also making headlines by locking in a decade-long deal to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms.

This announcement comes at a tense time for Microsoft, as they’re under the microscope from the European Commission due to their $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Microsoft President Brad Smith announced that they’ve signed a 10-year contract to ensure Call of Duty is available on Nintendo consoles, with the same release dates and content that Xbox players get. This means Nintendo fans won’t miss out on any of the action.

In a statement, Microsoft emphasized their goal of providing long-term access to Call of Duty across gaming platforms, saying, “We want to bring more choice to more players and foster more competition in the gaming market.” Smith even shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the commitment to deliver Xbox games and Activision titles like Call of Duty to more players.

This Nintendo deal is part of Microsoft’s strategy to calm regulators who are worried Microsoft might make Call of Duty an Xbox exclusive after the acquisition. By securing a solid agreement with Nintendo and offering a similar deal to Sony’s PlayStation, they’re trying to ease those fears.

The timing is critical, as Microsoft is set to appear before the European Commission this week to defend the acquisition. Regulatory bodies in Europe, the UK, and the US have expressed concerns about potential competition issues. In the UK, watchdogs have suggested that Microsoft might have to spin off Activision or keep Call of Duty out of the deal entirely. Meanwhile, the US FTC is in the middle of a lawsuit aimed at blocking the acquisition.

We can expect a final decision from the EU in April, and all eyes are on how this situation plays out. With the next Call of Duty on the horizon, Microsoft’s moves could change the game for everyone involved.

What is Call of Duty: Black Ops 7?

Activision revealed new Call of Duty game yesterday at the Xbox Game Event. Set in the year 2035 – 40 years after the events of Black Ops 6 – players are thrown into a chaotic world torn apart by conflict and psychological warfare. It’s developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, the game follows David Mason and his team as they confront a manipulative enemy who uses fear as a weapon. It features a mind-bending Co-op Campaign, futuristic Multiplayer with all-new maps, and the return of Round-Based Zombies set in the heart of the Dark Aether.

Matt Cox, General Manager of Call of Duty, says, “The Black Ops universe is amazing… our vision from the start was to create a back-to-back series experience for our players that embraced the uniqueness of the Black Ops sub-franchise.” The journey to the full reveal begins with an Official Teaser Cinematic, with more content expected throughout the summer. Tyler Bahl, Head of Activision Publishing Marketing, adds, “Our official teaser sets the tone for players to embrace the madness that’s incoming with Black Ops 7’s story.” Black Ops 7 will launch on all major platforms including Game Pass on day one.