In an effort to gain approval for its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft recently revealed its plans for bringing Call of Duty to Nintendo Switch. For almost a decade, Call of Duty has been absent from Nintendo systems, as Activision has focused on developing PC and console platforms. Microsoft's agreement, however, could make the popular shooter game accessible to Nintendo fans in the near future.
In order to make Call of Duty accessible to Nintendo users, Microsoft must first make sure that the game will run smoothly on the system. This means that the game's engine needs to be optimized to work with the unique hardware of the Switch. Seeing as the Switch is not a particularly powerful system, Microsoft must ensure that the game can run on it without noticeable drops in performance. Fortunately, Microsoft highlighted that games like Fortnite and Apex Legends have already been successfully ported to Switch, paving the way for Call of Duty's potential inclusion.
While optimizing the game's engine is an important factor in bringing Call of Duty to the Switch, it's not the only one. Microsoft also needs to take into consideration the different versions of the game that are available. Call of Duty Warzone, for example, is a free-to-play version that is unlikely to require any additional optimization. On the other hand, the buy-to-play releases of the game might need more work, as these versions usually have more content and more demanding graphics.
Finally, there is the question of why Microsoft is even attempting to bring Call of Duty to the Switch in the first place. The UK's Competition and Market Authority will consider Nintendo a serious competitor for Microsoft and Activision, as the Switch has a lower level of power than PCs and consoles. Regardless, Microsoft's determination to bring Call of Duty to the Switch could still be seen as a show of good faith and one that the CMA might take into consideration when approving the acquisition.
In conclusion, whether Microsoft will be able to make Call of Duty on the Switch, the reality is still being determined. However, if they do manage to make it happen, Nintendo fans would be able to play one of the most popular shooter games of the last decade on their system. Microsoft's agreement with Nintendo will be successful, bringing a whole new audience to the Call of Duty franchise.