Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan said on Wednesday, Oct. 7 that Call of Duty could eventually be removed from PlayStation, after criticizing a Microsoft offer he called inadequate to secure the franchise’s long-term presence on Sony’s consoles.
Ryan says Microsoft proposal falls short
In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Ryan said Microsoft made an offer to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation for three years after Sony’s current agreement with Activision ends. He described that proposal as failing to account for the game’s importance to PlayStation players after nearly two decades on the platform.
“We want to ensure PlayStation players continue to have the highest-quality Call of Duty experience, and Microsoft’s proposal undermines that principle,” Ryan said, characterizing the offer as “inadequate” on multiple levels.
Context: public comments from Microsoft
Ryan’s comments followed renewed attention to remarks by Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft’s gaming division. Spencer told The Verge that Microsoft had offered Sony a signed deal to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation with parity of features and content for “at least a few more years beyond Sony’s current agreement,” calling the offer broader than typical industry arrangements.
Regulatory backdrop and acquisition status
The dispute over Call of Duty’s future comes as Microsoft awaits regulatory approval for its proposed $70 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The takeover is under review by competition authorities in several countries, and the outcome will affect agreements and access to Activision titles across platforms.
Implications for PlayStation players
Ryan emphasized the potential impact on PlayStation users, saying the Microsoft offer did not sufficiently safeguard the Call of Duty experience for the PlayStation community. He framed his statement as a response after Spencer raised the issue publicly.
What remains unchanged
At this stage, Microsoft has described a willingness to continue supporting Call of Duty on PlayStation for a limited period, while Sony warns that the franchise’s long-term availability on its consoles is not assured pending the outcome of commercial discussions and regulatory reviews.
Have you watched our new videos on YouTube?
