Following the release date announcement for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, data mining discovered that PlayStation players would seemingly receive first access to the beta. While not officially confirmed, this does put a dampener on potential benefits for Xbox fans (like launching on Game Pass). Unfortunately, Sony’s exclusive deal for Call of Duty could last longer than expected.
Insider Tom Henderson said on Twitter that he believes that “Sony’s deal lasts for the next three games.” This includes Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Warzone 2 and Treyarch’s next game. “So if Microsoft obligates Sony’s existing deal, which they have said they will, nothing should change until Call of Duty 2025/2026 (depending on when that releases).”
Replying to another user about Call of Duty not being exclusive to Xbox platforms even after that, Henderson replied, “There’s an argument for both sides. I don’t even think Microsoft knows what to do yet.”
Microsoft had previously stated that it intends to honor Sony’s existing deal for Call of Duty. In addition, it has “committed to Sony that we will also make them available on PlayStation beyond the existing agreement and into the future so that Sony fans can continue to enjoy the games they love.” But this could potentially mean future Call of Duty titles launching on day one for Game Pass with other benefits like first beta access.
Then again, Microsoft could simply offer a new deal to Sony that’s even more lucrative than the current one. Time will tell, so stay tuned in the coming months and years.