Microsoft has announced a landmark 10-year agreement to bring the immensely popular Call of Duty franchise to the Nintendo Switch platform, marking the first time the long-running series will appear on Nintendo’s hybrid console.
The confirmation, delivered by Head of Xbox Phil Spencer, follows Microsoft’s ongoing merger with Activision Blizzard King—a deal set to reshape the gaming landscape across multiple platforms including PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. In a statement shared via his official Twitter account, Spencer declared, “Microsoft has entered into a 10-year commitment to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo following the merger of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard King.
We are dedicated to making more games accessible to more people, regardless of how they choose to play.” Expanding on the announcement in an interview with The Washington Post, Spencer discussed the timeline and development challenges that lie ahead.
Referencing the projected closure of the Microsoft-Activision deal in June 2023—pending regulatory approval—Spencer explained that the development process to bring Call of Duty to Switch would begin post-acquisition, with the aim of achieving simultaneous launches across PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo platforms. "If the deal finalizes as scheduled,” Spencer said, “our intention is for future Call of Duty titles to launch on Nintendo platforms at the same time as on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, aligning the release cadence across all major consoles.” Spencer also revealed that Activision Blizzard has been briefed on the agreement and has begun initial planning to optimize the series for the Switch’s hardware.
"They are preparing specific development work to ensure Call of Duty performs optimally on Nintendo Switch and fully supports its unique system architecture," he noted.
Drawing on Microsoft’s prior experience, Spencer referenced Minecraft’s expansion to multiple platforms as a model for coordinating multi-system development.
"While Minecraft and Call of Duty are different genres, the foundational process of adapting games for Nintendo hardware is a challenge our teams are well prepared to meet." The 10-year duration of the agreement is designed to provide reassurance to both the Call of Duty community and industry observers, setting a precedent for long-term collaboration.
Spencer clarified, “The agreement includes a formal expiration date, which is mainly a legal requirement.
Our goal—similar to what we’ve accomplished with Minecraft on PlayStation and Nintendo systems—is to continue supporting players for as long as communities thrive on these platforms.” This partnership signals a new era of accessibility for blockbuster franchises on the Nintendo eShop and strengthens Microsoft’s commitment to broadening its gaming footprint.
As Call of Duty prepares for its Nintendo Switch debut, both Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are poised to expand the series’ legacy, offering fans on the Switch platform the chance to experience one of gaming’s most prominent shooters alongside its counterparts on other leading consoles.
The confirmation, delivered by Head of Xbox Phil Spencer, follows Microsoft’s ongoing merger with Activision Blizzard King—a deal set to reshape the gaming landscape across multiple platforms including PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. In a statement shared via his official Twitter account, Spencer declared, “Microsoft has entered into a 10-year commitment to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo following the merger of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard King.
We are dedicated to making more games accessible to more people, regardless of how they choose to play.” Expanding on the announcement in an interview with The Washington Post, Spencer discussed the timeline and development challenges that lie ahead.
Referencing the projected closure of the Microsoft-Activision deal in June 2023—pending regulatory approval—Spencer explained that the development process to bring Call of Duty to Switch would begin post-acquisition, with the aim of achieving simultaneous launches across PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo platforms. "If the deal finalizes as scheduled,” Spencer said, “our intention is for future Call of Duty titles to launch on Nintendo platforms at the same time as on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, aligning the release cadence across all major consoles.” Spencer also revealed that Activision Blizzard has been briefed on the agreement and has begun initial planning to optimize the series for the Switch’s hardware.
"They are preparing specific development work to ensure Call of Duty performs optimally on Nintendo Switch and fully supports its unique system architecture," he noted.
Drawing on Microsoft’s prior experience, Spencer referenced Minecraft’s expansion to multiple platforms as a model for coordinating multi-system development.
"While Minecraft and Call of Duty are different genres, the foundational process of adapting games for Nintendo hardware is a challenge our teams are well prepared to meet." The 10-year duration of the agreement is designed to provide reassurance to both the Call of Duty community and industry observers, setting a precedent for long-term collaboration.
Spencer clarified, “The agreement includes a formal expiration date, which is mainly a legal requirement.
Our goal—similar to what we’ve accomplished with Minecraft on PlayStation and Nintendo systems—is to continue supporting players for as long as communities thrive on these platforms.” This partnership signals a new era of accessibility for blockbuster franchises on the Nintendo eShop and strengthens Microsoft’s commitment to broadening its gaming footprint.
As Call of Duty prepares for its Nintendo Switch debut, both Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are poised to expand the series’ legacy, offering fans on the Switch platform the chance to experience one of gaming’s most prominent shooters alongside its counterparts on other leading consoles.
