“Is this the end of PlayStation?” we dramatically pondered in a 2022 article, after Xbox had announced its intent to acquire Activision Blizzard for a near-$70 billion.

“This isn’t just a haymaker or a right hook,” we continued, “it’s the manufacturer slumped against the ropes, blood dripping from its mouth, while it desperately gasps for air.”

While that acquisition did seem significant back then, three years later, the deal has closed, and Sony has reintroduced its Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 bundle. It’s offering it at $399 as part of a sale, which is $30 cheaper than a standalone 1TB Xbox Series S.

We may have been overly dramatic in those earlier quotes, but we don’t think anyone could have foreseen this outcome when the deal was first announced. Even Microsoft might not have anticipated it.

So, what’s happened? Xbox invested massive sums, catching the attention of regulatory bodies. Once it became clear how much revenue Call of Duty was generating on PlayStation, Microsoft shifted its strategy on exclusives.

Now, as a third-party publisher, Microsoft is focused on selling as many copies as possible, regardless of the console.

Sony, seeing the sales potential of Black Ops 6, and wanting to maximize console distribution, was eager to acquire copies of the game for compelling bundles. This strategic move aimed to get its consoles into as many homes as possible.