why will call of duty not launch on steam

Direms

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15-04-2025

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Meta Description: Discover why the popular Call of Duty franchise isn't currently available on Steam, exploring the history of its exclusivity deals, the impact of the Microsoft-Activision merger, and potential future scenarios for Steam users hoping to play Call of Duty. Learn about the ongoing legal battles and the implications for gamers. This in-depth analysis covers everything you need to know.

Call of Duty, a behemoth in the first-person shooter genre, has a complicated history with Steam. For years, PC players have accessed the franchise primarily through Battle.net, Blizzard Entertainment's platform. But the absence from Steam leaves many wondering: why? The answer isn't simple, and it involves a complex web of business decisions, legal battles, and evolving market dynamics.

The Battle.net Exclusivity Era

For a considerable period, Activision, the publisher of Call of Duty, enjoyed a lucrative exclusivity deal with Blizzard. This meant that new Call of Duty titles were released only on Battle.net. This strategy served several purposes:

• Platform Control: Activision maintained tighter control over its player base and distribution.
• Revenue Sharing: Exclusivity deals often involved favorable revenue-sharing agreements with Blizzard.
• Brand Synergy: The partnership leveraged the established user bases of both Blizzard and Activision.

This arrangement, however, left Steam users out in the cold, forcing them to utilize Battle.net, a platform many considered less user-friendly than Steam's established interface and community features.

The Microsoft Acquisition and Antitrust Concerns

The recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft significantly altered the landscape. This massive merger triggered intense scrutiny from regulatory bodies worldwide, particularly concerning antitrust concerns. Many worried that Microsoft's control over such a significant game franchise could stifle competition.

One major point of contention centered around the future availability of Call of Duty on competing platforms like Steam and PlayStation. Microsoft initially pledged to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation for a prolonged period, but the discussions regarding Steam have been far less clear.

Legal Hurdles and Uncertain Future

The regulatory approvals process for the Microsoft-Activision merger proved protracted and challenging. The deal faced significant hurdles, particularly in the UK, where regulators expressed concerns about the potential for Microsoft to leverage its ownership of Call of Duty to harm competitors. These legal battles directly impacted the timeline for any potential changes to Call of Duty's distribution strategy, including its availability on Steam.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the legal processes continues to cast a shadow on the likelihood of Call of Duty appearing on Steam in the near future. Until these legal issues are fully resolved, predicting a Steam release remains speculative.

Could Call of Duty Come to Steam? Potential Scenarios

While no official announcement has been made about a Steam release, several scenarios are possible:

• Post-Merger Release: Once the regulatory hurdles are cleared, Microsoft might decide to release future Call of Duty titles on Steam to broaden their reach and appease a large segment of PC gamers.
• Continued Exclusivity (Unlikely): Maintaining Battle.net exclusivity after the merger would be a risky move, potentially alienating a vast portion of the PC gaming market.
• Delayed Release: Even if a Steam release is planned, it might be delayed due to technical or logistical challenges. Integrating Call of Duty into the Steam ecosystem requires significant behind-the-scenes work.

The Bottom Line

The absence of Call of Duty on Steam is a complex issue resulting from a combination of past business decisions and ongoing legal battles surrounding the Microsoft-Activision merger. While a Steam release is not impossible, the timeline remains unclear and heavily dependent on the resolution of regulatory concerns and Microsoft's strategic choices. For now, PC players wanting the latest Call of Duty games must use Battle.net. Only time will tell if that will change.