Activision Blizzard Pushes for Preferential Terms to Keep Call of Duty on Xbox

According to Xbox executive Sarah Bond's testimony, Activision Blizzard's CEO Bobby Kotick made a threat to exclude Call of Duty from Xbox platforms unless Microsoft agreed to a more lucrative revenue-sharing deal, as reported by IGN. Bond explained that time constraints led to Microsoft's decision to accept Kotick's terms, stating, "We prioritized meeting player expectations, and ultimately decided it was the best choice for the business." This testimony was given during the initial hearing regarding the Federal Trade Commission's opposition to Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The issue of Call of Duty's exclusivity has been a point of contention for regulators, prompting the FTC to question whether the game is essential for a console manufacturer, leading to Bond's testimony. Additionally, Pete Hines from Bethesda confirmed that the Xbox-exclusive Indiana Jones game was initially intended for multi-platform release, while an email from Sony's Jim Ryan expressed his belief that Microsoft's acquisition was not intended to make Call of Duty an Xbox exclusive, thinking the deal had broader implications.