Xbox’s Activision Blizzard Merger: A Call of Duty Nation for All

Phil Spencer Smashes the Parity Button on Call of Duty No Exclusive Skins or Betas Allowed!

Phil Spencer confirms no exclusive skins or betas for Call of Duty, ensuring 100% parity – GameTopic

Call of Duty

So, the highly anticipated Activision Blizzard merger with Xbox is finally a done deal, but don’t worry, Phil Spencer isn’t about to leave other platforms in the dust with Call of Duty exclusives. In a recent episode of the Official Xbox Podcast, Spencer made it clear that Xbox’s ultimate goal is bringing about “100 percent parity” across all platforms.

“The players on PlayStation and in the future on Nintendo… I want you to feel 100 percent part of the community. I don’t want you to feel like there’s content you’re missing out on, skins you’re missing out on, timing you’re missing out on. That’s not the goal,” Spencer reassured. He’s determined that everyone should have equal access to all the gaming goodness, regardless of their platform of choice.

But wait! That means no exclusive betas, skins, or any other content reserved solely for Xbox players. Sorry, folks, no Xbox elitism here! In fact, Xbox had a cheeky 10-year deal with Sony to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation platforms. So, this is a delightful twist in the tale.

Now, before you get too excited, Spencer did acknowledge that there might be some technological barriers that separate individual platforms. Looking at you, Switch. However, when it comes to content, Xbox wants to make everyone feel like they are part of the grand “Call of Duty nation,” regardless of their gaming machine. And, if you’re wondering, Spencer also subtly threw some shade at PlayStation’s past exclusivity deals with the franchise. Ouch!

Oh, and one more thing, Spencer vehemently denied any intention of trying to lure you into buying an Xbox console with Call of Duty. He made it clear that they’ve been on the receiving end of such shenanigans, and it didn’t serve the community or the game well. Fair play, Xbox. Fair play.

The Battle Over Call of Duty

Battle

Now, let’s take a moment to remember the intense battle that unfolded over Call of Duty during the Activision Blizzard merger. Outgoing PlayStation president Jim Ryan insisted that Xbox had plans to use Call of Duty as a weapon to disadvantage PlayStation and to drive PlayStation gamers straight into Xbox’s arms, primarily through Game Pass. The gloves came off, and it was war. Yet, despite the rumors and mudslinging, Xbox stood firm, affirming that Call of Duty will remain accessible to all platforms.

Spencer also dished out some interesting tidbits during the interviews. He explained why Activision Blizzard games won’t be available on Game Pass in 2023 and pondered whether Xbox had successfully revived some beloved franchises. Seductive teasers for Xbox gamers, no doubt.

But hold your horses, folks! It’s business as usual for Activision as they gear up to launch Modern Warfare III. The beta might be over, but the release date is drawing near – November 10th, to be precise. So, gear up and get ready for the adrenaline-fueled action!

Alright, fellow gamers, stay tuned for more exciting updates. And remember, in the Call of Duty nation, we’re all united in our love for gaming, regardless of the console we wield. Happy gaming, everyone!

Written by Kat Bailey, GameTopic’s News Director and co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Got a tip? Slide into her DMs [@the_katbot](https://www.twitter.com/the_katbot)!