Memo to game companies: even when they’re not appalling cock-ups like the way the Ghostbusters developers sold out to Sony and prevented consumers from buying the better version of the game, “exclusives” are not a positive, and gamers are learning to resent the word.
Something being “exclusive” means that, even if it’s “exclusive” to the console I own, the developer has been unable to divide consistent design costs between a larger consumer base – the upshot of which is, if the product isn’t more expensive, it will be of lower quality. They can spend fewer resources, because they’ll be getting a smaller return. If the GTA:IV “exclusive” DLC was also available on PS3, then it could cost less, or provide more content.
“Exclusive” means the company is cutting off its nose to spite its face, and the consumer pays.
As for “exclusives” driving consumers to other platforms – not really. We just miss out on those games, costing the company a greater install base to be interested in sequels. Owning multiple consoles capable of pretty much the same thing is not good use of money, space or anything else.
The word “exclusive” makes us groan. Now’s about the time you should start realising that.
PS God of War III? Katamari Forever? The Last Guardian? Flower? SHUT UP. I don’t care.
UPDATE: And Afrika.
June 22, 2009 at 10:18 am
While I think all exclusivity deals suck, the Ghostbusters deals sucks extra hard because both versions of the game had already been developed when the deal was made.
It must be tough out there for devs if the wads of cash being offered for exclusivity are so appealing.
PS Kratos ftw!!
June 22, 2009 at 11:38 am
What is even more stupid with Ghostbusters is that the game is not region locked on the 360. So you can purchase it from play-asia or the US and get around this exclusive.
Have you heard that Activision is thinking of dropping the PS3 due to the costs in development?
June 22, 2009 at 11:53 am
Anthony, the weird thing about that is that the Activision guy complained about development costs then called for a PS3 price cut, rather than a reduction in development costs (eg the price Sony charges for source software).
What does Activision do besides Guitar Hero anyways?
PS importing ftw!!
June 22, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I don’t think that’s what he meant by “development costs”. He means that the PS3 is harder to develop for because it’s got a weird way of doing technical things.
June 22, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Oh right, the two-processor chip thingy.
I noze computahz
June 24, 2009 at 11:28 am
Besides Guitar Hero ahh Call of Duty
June 24, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I noze Activision as well
Look over there!! God of War III screenshots!!
June 24, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I probably will get a PS3 eventually to catch up on those titles I’ve missed, but only when it’s cheap. Like I did with the Xbox. Very few people will have both consoles at the height of their time in the sun, and those of us who want to play the titles we’ve missed can always come back to it later. When we can get them second-hand.
Which is not, I suspect, when most game development companies would like to be selling us the games.
June 24, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Target was selling the older PS3 (40GB) console for $199 to clear stocks.
June 24, 2009 at 5:21 pm
When?
June 24, 2009 at 5:32 pm
You may be waiting a long time. I don’t believe the rumours of a price drop TBA later this year, just cos these rumours surface every year. That said, one year they will be true.
In the meantime, you can wait for ports of the more successful games.
I got my PS3 at the height of its price, feel a bit jibbed as a result and have no interest in spending on another console.
I heard that a big factor behind the push to digital distribution was an attempt to squeeze out shops’ profits on second hand games. But second hand games means cheaper games so I’m all for it.
June 24, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Heard it second hand
June 25, 2009 at 5:20 pm
On cheap PS3’s
http://www.n4g.com/ps3/News-351100.aspx
July 11, 2009 at 9:39 am
This is moronic.
What a the game is being handled by a first party in-house developer who know how to utilise and build on the consoles hardware the best?
Sony and God of War III come to mind.
oh wait, I should “SHUT UP” because you don’t care? If you’re just going to deny the facts that directly oppose the point you’re making, maybe you shouldn’t make it. Or open your fucking eyes first.
Oh and you mention you haven’t bought a PS3 yet, have you played Uncharted, Killzone 2 or Metal Gear Solid 4? MGS 4 especially, many believe could never be brought over to the 360 and being solely developed on the PS3 probably made it a better game.
July 11, 2009 at 9:42 am
“oh wait, I should “SHUT UP” because you don’t care? If you’re just going to deny the facts that directly oppose the point you’re making, maybe you shouldn’t make it. Or open your fucking eyes first.”
What?
Anyway, you haven’t addressed the argument I made in the post at all.