Microsoft has reached a deal with Nintendo to bring the popular video game franchise "Call of Duty" to the Nintendo Switch platform, amid a standoff between Microsoft and Sony over Microsoft's acquisition of Activision.

Microsoft has announced that it has entered into a 10-year agreement with Nintendo, which will allow "Call of Duty" games to be available on Nintendo systems, provided that Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion is successful.

Microsoft has pledged to continue releasing future installments of the blockbuster first-person shooter franchise, "Call of Duty," for Xbox at the same time as it releases them on Valve's Steam PC game platform.

Microsoft is making an effort to avoid a potential FTC lawsuit over its proposed acquisition of Activision through the Nintendo agreement and Steam commitment.

Sony has expressed concern that Microsoft, upon acquiring Activision, may make future "Call of Duty" games and other big Activision titles exclusive to Microsoft Xbox.

Earlier this week, Brad Smith, President of Microsoft, announced that the company had offered Sony a 10-year deal for equitable distribution of the "Call of Duty" game on PlayStation.

The Department of Justice has not yet ruled on the merger but is expected to do so within the next few weeks.