The company is partnering with Nvidia to provide Xbox PC games via the latter’s GeForce Now cloud gaming service. Microsoft president Brad Smith made the announcement at a press conference held today in Brussels as the company tries to win over European Union authorities in favor of its planned purchase of Activision Blizzard.
“Microsoft will add PC-compatible Xbox titles to Nvidia’s GeForce Now online gaming service.” Smith said during a press briefing attended by The Verge. GeForce Now will also provide all Activision Blizzard games, including Call of Duty.
Before you can play games on GeForce Now, you must still purchase them separately. The contract is merely a 10-year streaming rights agreement. According to a press statement. Microsoft will make its games accessible to stream regardless of where they are purchased. Windows Store, Steam, or Epic Games Store. There is no mention of Microsoft’s competing Xbox Cloud Gaming service or the broader Xbox Game Pass, which may include access to Xbox PC titles. Nvidia’s vice president Phil Eisler declined to comment on Game Pass directly.
Sony’s Opposition to Call of Duty Deal
If the Activision Blizzard acquisition goes through, however, Battle.net titles like Overwatch will be accessible on GeForce Now “day-and-date or as close to day-and-date as we can.” This includes Microsoft-owned games like Minecraft. It might take up to a year, but games should start appearing on GFN in the next weeks.
As part of the agreement, Nvidia will provide public support for Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Nvidia’s worries about Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard have been allayed. Gamers will benefit from more options thanks to this partnership. Thus, Nvidia is providing its full assistance to ensure regulatory clearance of the transaction,” the company said in a news statement.
The arrangement comes only hours after Microsoft announced a definitive 10-year partnership with Nintendo to deliver Call of Duty to Nintendo systems. Smith revealed the arrangement earlier today. Microsoft has also given Sony a 10-year contract for future Call of Duty games. The PlayStation manufacturer has failed to negotiate an agreement. Because it opposes Microsoft’s takeover of Activision, and any Call of Duty arrangement would boost Microsoft’s case.
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