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A recent blog post from Microsoft suggests that new Call of Duty titles could be coming to Nintendo Switch in the future. The beloved first-person shooter franchise has not released on a Nintendo console since 2013's Call of Duty: Ghosts, which was launched on the Wii U. While Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and CoD has led many to believe that the series will now be Xbox exclusive, this is reportedly not the case.
Microsoft recently purchased publisher Action Blizzard, giving the Xbox creator ownership of massive franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Overwatch. This is likely to have massive repercussions for these beloved series, and many PlayStation owners are worried that these franchises will become Xbox console exclusives in the future. However, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has assured gamers that previous contracts with the other gaming juggernauts, Sony and Nintendo, will still be honored after the purchase. This means that despite Microsoft's ownership of the franchise, Activision's Call of Duty will remain on PlayStation for at least three years.
A new Microsoft blog post reiterates this idea, revealing that Activision Blizzard franchises like Call of Duty will continue to release on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles. The inclusion of Nintendo in the statement comes as a bit of a surprise, considering that Call of Duty has not come to a Nintendo console since 2013. The blog specifies that Call of Duty will still come to PlayStation after current contracts expire, and Microsoft is also, "interested in taking similar steps to support Nintendo’s successful platform." This hints that future entries in the first-person shooter franchise could make their way to Nintendo Switch, or a future Nintendo console, in the future.
While Call of Duty: Vanguard just recently launched in November 2021, it seems that the next installment in the series might be unveiled soon. The reveal of 2022's Call of Duty has been teased by developer Infinity Ward, with most rumors suggesting that the game will be a sequel to 2019's Modern Warfare. While little else is known about this next installment, such an early announcement may be a response to the lukewarm reception of last year's Vanguard. Thanks to the Microsoft blog post, fans can now rest assured knowing that the next Call of Duty will not be an Xbox exclusive.
Call of Duty's continued presence on PlayStation surely comes as a relief to many gamers, but the mention of Nintendo is even more interesting. The Nintendo Switch has yet to receive a single entry in the iconic franchise, and fans would no doubt jump at the opportunity to play Call of Duty on the go. In an ironic twist, Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard may have actually opened the door for the series to reach the Nintendo Switch.
Source: Microsoft