Retailer reportedly puts warning notice on PS5s: ‘Microsoft has bought Activision!’

A Belgian retailer has allegedly been spotted putting a warning on its PlayStation 5 section, telling potential customers that they may want to reconsider their purchase due to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

As pictured by Twitter user HazzadorGamin, Belgian supermarket chain Cora is claimed to have placed the notice on its shelves, which reads: “Notice to gamers, Microsoft has bought Activision! Choose your machine carefully (Call of Duty)”.

Cora has more than 60 stores in France, and 20 more in Romania, Belgium and Luxembourg.

If the image is accurate, while it’s not clear if the Cora notice is widespread, it could represent another example of the wide-reaching influence of the games industry’s biggest-ever buyout.

Microsoft shocked the games industry earlier this month when it announced its intention to acquire Activision Blizzard in a deal worth $70 billion.

Activision creates some of PlayStation’s most successful games in the form of the Call of Duty series. Last year, the franchise delivered both the first (Vanguard) and third (Black Ops Cold War) best-selling games on PlayStation in the US, according to NPD.

Although the future of the series on PS5 and PS4 was initially put into doubt following the acquisition announcement, the early messaging from Microsoft appears to be positive for its rival platform holder.

Microsoft’s gaming CEO eventually confirmed his intention to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation platforms once the acquisition of Activision Blizzard is completed.

“Had good calls this week with leaders at Sony,” Phil Spencer tweeted. “I confirmed our intent to honor all existing agreements upon acquisition of Activision Blizzard and our desire to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation. Sony is an important part of our industry, and we value our relationship.”

According to Bloomberg sources said to be familiar with the publisher’s plans, Activision Blizzard is reportedly committed to releasing at least the next three Call of Duty games for PlayStation consoles.

These are said to be the Modern Warfare 2 from Infinity Ward later this year, a new game from Black Ops developer Treyarch next year, and Warzone 2, which is also said to be planned for release in 2023.