Xbox today announced another 10-year deal, this time with Ukrainian cloud gaming platform Boosteroid, as Microsoft continues to seek support for its $68.7 billion Activision Blizzard deal.
Boosteroid’s four million users will soon be able to access Xbox PC games via their streaming subscription, and Activision Blizzard PC games will also become available when (or rather, if) Microsoft’s buyout takes place.
It’s very similar to the deal Microsoft previously announced with Nvidia to bring Xbox PC games to its GeForce Now streaming service.
Additionally, Microsoft also has a 10-year deal in the wings to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platform(s) – again, if the buyout happens.
Today’s announcement adds another feather to Microsoft’s cap as it seeks to reassure regulators that paying $68.7 billion for Activision Blizzard wouldn’t result in more limited access to blockbusters like Call of Duty.
“We believe in the power of games to bring people together. That’s why Xbox is committed to giving everyone more ways to play their favorite games, across different devices,” said Xbox CEO Phil Spencer today. “Offering Xbox PC games to Boosteroid members, including Activision Blizzard titles like Call of Duty once the deal closes, is another step in realizing that vision.”
The announcement also focuses attention on a company based in Kiev and Kharkiv in Ukraine, cities that made headlines last year after Russia’s invasion. Two of his offices in Kharkiv have been hit by Russian missile strikes.
“Boosteroid shares Microsoft’s vision of bringing games to as many people, places and platforms as possible,” said CEO Ivan Shvaichenko. “It has long been our goal to provide gamers with the ability to enjoy their favorite titles on any device at hand. Today’s announcement is another step in this direction. With our development team in Ukraine, we also appreciate the Microsoft’s continued commitment to Ukraine, and we will collaborate on an initiative to support our local game development community to further invest in the country’s economic recovery.”
Microsoft has contributed a significant amount to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion, the company’s president Brad Smith continued.
“This partnership builds on the $430 million in technology and financial assistance we have provided Ukraine since Russia’s unlawful invasion, and is an example of the steps we will continue to take to support Ukraine’s 160,000 software developers,” said Smith.
“It also adds to our recent agreements with Nintendo and Nvidia, making it even clearer to regulators that our acquisition of Activision Blizzard will make Call of Duty available on many more devices than before.”
Gaming industry analyst Piers Harding-Rolls wrote on Twitter today that Microsoft’s Boosteroid announcement was “similar (in strategy) to the GeForce Now deal and not directly competitive with Game Pass,” providing “synergy.”
Eurogamer was on hand in Brussels last month when Smith, fresh from talks to convince EU regulators, waved a copy of the 10-year deal. Microsoft is still hoping that Sony will sign on to give PlayStation equal access to Call of Duty.
Since then, reports have suggested that the EU’s European Commission will eventually take a favorable view of the deal, although issues remain with both the US Federal Trade Commission and the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority.
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