Microsoft: Call of Duty Will be Optimized for PlayStation Consoles - News

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Microsoft in its response to the questions by UK regulators, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), at the remedies hearings stated Call of Duty will be optimized for PlayStation 5 and make full use of the features of the console if its Activision Blizzard acquisition is approved.

This includes having more features than the Xbox version such as haptic feedback with the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller.

"The Parties note, in particular, that there is no basis in the Provisional Findings for what would essentially amount to a 'beyond parity' obligation, requiring Microsoft to develop a PlayStation version of CoD which has more features than the Xbox version," wrote Microsoft.

"Rather, the relevant partial foreclosure mechanisms considered in the Provisional Findings, which the remedy is designed to address, relate to releasing a worse version of CoD titles on PlayStation consoles for example 'with fewer features' and 'degrading the graphical quality' of the PlayStation version. The concern provisionally identified is that Sony would be a 'substantially less effective competitor than it would be absent the Merger.'

"As Microsoft will be shipping CoD on PlayStation in compliance with its remedy commitments [redacted], Microsoft will have every incentive to develop games with optimized support for PS5 features, such as haptics, and future consoles in order to maximize sales on the platform. [redacted]."

The CMA asked Microsoft how it defines parity and how it is practically implemented and measured. 

"Features and content are designed to be seen and key performance parameters can be measured by gamers, independent reviewers of games (e.g., Digital Foundry), and, indeed, Sony itself," wrote Microsoft.

Generally, developing a new game is a transparent process, and substantive interactions with platforms - including Sony PlayStation - begin [redacted] before game launch. In the case of Call of Duty specifically, development closely involves the platform, with [redacted]."

Microsoft added that throughout development Activision monitors performance between the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC builds across multiple metrics.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

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15 Comments

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V-r0cK (on 21 March 2023)

Doubtful. Microsoft doesn't even know how to optimize games for their own Xbox consoles lol jk......

• +2

gtotheunit91 V-r0cK (on 21 March 2023)

Nah, you right 😂

• 0

V-r0cK gtotheunit91 (on 21 March 2023)

lol I'm jk Ive said this countless times I couldnt care less about this deal, and would rather for the deal to go through asap. Just making random comments to kill time at work lol

It's obvious MS will do fine with their version of CoD on Playstation. I mean they're just going to use the same Activision team that's been making games on Playstation already. We all knew Sony was on crack when they said MS would sabotage their version.

• +7

gtotheunit91 V-r0cK (on 21 March 2023)

The real funny thing is that Activison can't even optimize their CoD games lol. There's always some major bugs every year lol

• +4

V-r0cK gtotheunit91 (on 21 March 2023)

LOL that is also true!

• +1

scrapking V-r0cK (on 21 March 2023)

I know you're (mostly?) joking... but for what it's worth, they did an amazing job of optimizing Forza Horizon 5 on Xbox! :) And they did so across the board, the game even ran quite well on the original "VCR" Xbox One.

• +1

V-r0cK scrapking (on 23 March 2023)

I remember they did have issues when they first revealed Halo Infinite where it got so much backlash from looking like a last-gen game. But that's like any first time game on a new system, im sure the next Halo game will look and perform stunningly.

• +1

scrapking V-r0cK (on 24 March 2023)

Yes, the initial reveal of Halo: Infinite and Redfall were both sketchy. But the subsequent Redfall reveal was better, and the final release of Halo: Infinite looked pretty good for a cross-gen game of its scope I think.

• +1

LivncA_Dis3 V-r0cK (on 21 March 2023)

So much power under the hood but can't even use the whole damn thing,

That's what the series x is all bark but no bite

• -13

CGI-Quality LivncA_Dis3 (on 22 March 2023)

LivncA_Dis3 was moderated for this comment

• +2

Runa216 CGI-Quality (on 22 March 2023)

Why? for being critical of a console manufacturer and making jokes at a multibillion dollar corporation's expense? Man, I genuinely do not understand the implementation of the rules on this website sometimes.

• -1

Azzanation V-r0cK (on 21 March 2023)

I know you are joking but keep inmind MS isnt developing CoD, Activision is so nothing changes.

• -1

V-r0cK Azzanation (on 23 March 2023)

I know, that's why I was joking. MS wont literally be touching CoD except for the money they bring in :P

• 0

EpicRandy (on 21 March 2023)

Worth noting also that MS suggested independents monitoring on parity which would have the power to halt the release of future CoD title would a breach in parity be found until it is resolved.

• +2

Azzanation (on 21 March 2023)

Activision is still developing it, not MS, so this is a no-brainer. Acti will do what they always do.

• -1