Microsoft’s Merger Talks with Sony Fizzle Out due to Call of Duty Marketing Disagreement

Microsoft’s merger talks with Sony fell through after Jim Ryan turned down Bobby Kotick’s offer to extend Call of Duty marketing beyond 2024.

Sony has declined to extend its Call of Duty co-marketing agreement with Activision, which expires in 2024.

Microsoft had been in talks with Sony, but negotiations were complicated by Sony’s demands for the popular Call of Duty series. In a bid to meet Sony’s demands, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick offered to extend the co-marketing agreement beyond 2024.