Call of Duty will be available on Nintendo hardware for at least the next decade

News

Microsoft, meanwhile, faces major controversy.

Microsoft Vice Chairman and President Brad Smith has stated in a tweet that Microsoft and Nintendo have completed negotiations and struck a deal to bring one of the largest video game franchises to the Kyoto-based developer and publisher.

In an interesting turn of events, pending Microsoft’s upcoming acquisition of Activision-Blizzard, Call of Duty will be on Nintendo hardware for at least the next decade.

Microsoft’s announcement of Activision-Blizzard’s acquisition in January 2022 shocked the video game industry, dropping $68.7 billion for the Overwatch and Call of Duty publisher in what was billed as the largest acquisition in Microsoft history.

With this move, Microsoft has made clear its position that they intend to expand their reach to as many players as possible, including Nintendo players; The Call of Duty series has now been contractually confirmed to return to Nintendo hardware for the first time since Call of Duty: Ghosts on the Nintendo Wii U in 2013.

Don’t expect to see Call of Duty on your Nintendo Switch right away, though, as the gigantic Activision-Blizzard cash deal isn’t over yet. Microsoft is unwavering in its desire to complete the deal as it prepares to defend the decision before EU antitrust authorities, concerned about the potential monopoly such a large takeover could create, Reuters reports.

Despite this fact and the controversy surrounding the decision to keep Bobby Kotick as Activision-Blizzard’s CEO after the deal closes, Microsoft has remained adamant.

Microsoft hasn’t specified if Call of Duty will be coming specifically to the Nintendo Switch or any other future system. However, after closing $68.7 billion, expect Call of Duty to appear on the eShop in the next 10 years.