On Jan 18, 2022, Microsoft announced their acquisition of Activision Blizzard, one of the largest video game companies in the world. The acquisition came with a staggering $68.7 billion price tag, making it one of the largest deals in the video game industry. While the acquisition has many implications for the industry as a whole, it also has specific implications for Sony and Nintendo, two of Microsoft’s largest competitors.

Following the acquisition, Microsoft announced that they had entered into two ten-year agreements with both Sony and Nintendo for the Call of Duty franchise. This news sent shockwaves through the gaming industry as it signaled that Microsoft would be keeping one of the most popular gaming franchises on their platform for the foreseeable future. However, the agreements also signal that Sony and Nintendo have ten years to replace the units sold for the Call of Duty franchise with their own in-house brand or another developer entirely, which will involve having a crystal ball of some kind.

The Call of Duty franchise is one of the biggest video game franchises in the world, with millions of players across multiple platforms. With the franchise being such a significant part of the gaming landscape, it’s no surprise that Microsoft would want to keep it exclusively on their platforms. However, this also means that Sony and Nintendo are losing out on one of the most significant revenue streams in the gaming industry. With two ten-year agreements in place, both companies have time to come up with a plan to replace those units sold.

Replacing the units sold for the Call of Duty franchise is no small feat, and it will require both companies to have a crystal ball of some kind. The gaming industry is constantly evolving, and predicting what will be popular in ten years is no easy task. Sony and Nintendo will need to analyze market trends, player preferences, and technological advancements to determine what kind of game will be the next big thing in the gaming industry.

One possible option for both Sony and Nintendo is to invest in their in-house development teams. Both companies have a history of producing excellent games, and investing in their development teams could pay off in the long run. Another option is to work with other developers to create new franchises. The gaming industry is filled with talented developers, and working with them to create something new and innovative could be the key to replacing the units sold for the Call of Duty franchise.

Of course, the above options are just a few of the possibilities that Sony and Nintendo could pursue. The gaming industry is constantly evolving, and new technologies and trends are emerging all the time. Both companies will need to stay on top of these changes and adapt accordingly if they hope to remain relevant in the gaming industry.

Moreover, the two ten-year agreements between Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo for the Call of Duty franchise highlight the growing importance of exclusive titles in the gaming industry. Exclusive titles have become a key strategy for console manufacturers to differentiate their platforms from one another and draw in players. With the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft has acquired a massive portfolio of gaming franchises, many of which could become exclusive to their platforms in the future. This could give Microsoft a significant advantage over their competitors, making it even more critical for Sony and Nintendo to come up with compelling exclusive titles of their own.

In recent years, both Sony and Nintendo have had a strong lineup of exclusive titles that have helped to draw players to their platforms. Sony’s PlayStation 5 has already had several successful exclusives, including titles like Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and Demon’s Souls. Nintendo’s Switch console has also been bolstered by exclusive titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. These titles have helped to drive sales for both companies, and they will need to continue to create compelling exclusives to remain competitive in the market.

The next ten years will be critical for the gaming industry as a whole. With the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft has become an even more dominant force in the industry, and the battle for market share is likely to intensify. Sony and Nintendo will need to work hard to replace the units sold for the Call of Duty franchise, as well as to create new and compelling exclusive titles. The success of these efforts will depend on their ability to predict trends in the industry and to make strategic decisions that resonate with players.

The two ten-year agreements between Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo for the Call of Duty franchise are significant indicators that Sony and Nintendo have ten years to replace the units sold for the franchise with their own in-house brand or another developer entirely. While the task is challenging, both companies have the resources and talent to make it happen. They will need to stay on top of industry trends and make strategic decisions to succeed. Ultimately, the next ten years will be critical for both companies as they work to cement their place in the gaming industry.