Microsoft Corp. said late Tuesday it has made a “10-year commitment” to bring the massively popular “Call of Duty” videogame series to Nintendo Co. consoles, when — and if — its merger with Activision Blizzard Inc. is completed.
In a tweet late Tuesday night, Xbox head Phil Spencer announced the deal. “Microsoft is committed to helping bring more games to more people – however they choose to play,” he said, adding: “I’m also pleased to confirm that Microsoft has committed to continue to offer Call of Duty on @Steam simultaneously to Xbox after we have closed the merger with Activision Blizzard King.”A deal to share one of Activision’s ATVI, -0.
Nintendo shares 7974, +0.28% rose slightly in Tokyo trading following the news. Microsoft shares MSFT, -2.03% fell Monday, and are down 17% year to date, compared to the S&P 500’s SPX, -1.44% 17% decline this year.