Mon 14 Jul 2008
FF13 no longer PS3 exclusive; is Microsoft slowly killing the industry?
Posted by Hytham under Gaming[11] Comments
Today at E3 Microsoft had their press conference, it is clear that Microsoft is not doing too great these days as analysts all agree that it is a matter of time before the PS3 surpass it in sales. Already it has overtaken the 360 in Europe and in Japan long ago… And according to the NPD numbers the PS3 has outsold the 360 5 months in a row this year in North America. So it was obvious that they needed some kind of big announcement or strategy to keep their title now as the number one selling next-gen console in America (the Wii is NOT next gen).
So what is it? What is the new strategy? Did they open a new studio to bring out some new IPs? No…, did they come up with an innovative and creative way to better utilize LIVE and make multiplayer gaming better? No… What did they do? They dumped a crap load of cash to get what Sony has. I must say I am confused, I am wondering whether I am just a bitter fanboy that lost his exclusive title or am I really annoyed at how Microsoft does business? I spoke to a colleague of mine today and he said ” what do you care if it goes on another system? So long as you get to play on yours what does it matter?” He makes a valid point. And I left our conversation thinking I was just a bitter fanboy. But the more I think about it the more I find I am just incredibly irritated and annoyed at how Microsoft does their business. There is no doubt that they had to throw a crap load of cash to get that title, as they did with GTA4.
My question is if you have so much money to throw why not invest in creating new IPs? why must your strategy be simply do what others do and take what they have? This is the EA way of doing business, instead of trying to create new stuff, they simply BUY what they know works. Nothing innovative comes from them anymore. And Microsoft is no different. This kind of business is detrimental to the industry. It does not allow it to go further and it does not reward the new and creative, it’s the same EA titles being released year after year.
I have to thank Microsoft for giving Sony a hard time, if it wasn’t for them, Sony would have a crappy online system that doesn’t improve, or maybe they wouldn’t have one at all.. There is good that comes from competition, but this is not good, this is spite, they are now just trying to hurt Sony instead of giving the consumers a better product. Very reminiscent on how they dumped hundreds of millions of dollars to keep HD DVD alive when it was dying just to confuse consumers and stall them from buying a new High Def medium. This is not to say Sony is perfect, but they at least open many new studios and help to make the industry grow. What has Microsoft done? it bought RARE and single-handedly killed it. I think the best thing they did was let BUNGIE go for they would have killed them too…
I was really beginning to like Microsoft because of what they offered in LIVE, but after this I just can’t stand them anymore…
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July 14th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Oh no! A fanboy crying about how Final Fantasy 13 is on the 360. You do know that it’s not a 360 exclusive, right?
Welcome to the gaming industry. Get over it.
Were you complaining when Final Fantasy became a PS1 & PS2 exclusive? When Nintendo was left out? No.
July 14th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Wow, I couldn’t disagree with you more…
First of all, you make it sound like all Microsoft did was announce the Final Fantasy cross-platform release. They announced a new dashboard with a hoard of new features (which look great), expanded X-Box Live functionality (taking it LEAPS beyond the PS3’s laughable attempt at an online service), a slew of exclusive games (which honestly don’t look THAT great, but still they’re coming), a Mii-Like feature (Yawn… still it’ll probably be out before HOME ever does), and a ton of other little newsbits.
What did Sony announce? Nothing new! That’s right Mr. Fanboy, you can complain all you want that Microsoft is throwing their money around, at least they’re doing something. They see something that another console has that their users want and they actually give it to them (gasp!).
I do agree with one thing, Microsoft should stop buying developers. It went badly with RARE and must have also with Bungie since they wanted out. Is it wrong for them to want to bring Final Fantasy to the 360? Not in the slightest! I couldn’t give a damn about Final Fantasy 13 myself, but that just gives 360 owners 1 less reason to buy a PS3 as far as I’m concerned.
When the PS3 had no trophies, all I heard from PS3 owners was how useless achievements are. When the PS3 GOT trophies, all of a sudden it’s a good thing to have? I hate fanboys for that reason. These giant corporation don’t give a CRAP about us. They just want the $$$. Why are people jumping on one bandwagon or the other?
I got a PS3 for Little Big Planet. It hasn’t come out but that’s the ONLY reason I wanted one. Will it be worth it in the end? Only time will tell. Otherwise, what has my PS3 given me? Almost NO ENJOYMENT!
For me, the bottom line is that I’ve owned almost every console that has ever come out since the original NES and have never enjoyed a console more than my X-Box 360 while my PS3 is only being used to watch DivX’s. I do love a lot of the non-gaming functionality and openness that the PS3 offers but it seems like that’s all it’s offering now.
Not long ago, I was actually telling people who didn’t have either system to get a PS3 because of it’s potential. I regret that. I should have told them to buy a 360 now and a PS3 in 9 years when it finally reaches that potential (maybe…). Sony better get it’s act together before Microsoft blows it out of the water. As consumers, we need competition, but right now it doesn’t seem like Sony is offering any.
July 15th, 2008 at 2:48 am
Fanboy trashing is all there is on the web today. Osama said: `What did Sony announce? Nothing new!`
hmm, maybe someone should remind you they didn`t do their press conference yet…
Of course, marketwise, losing FF exclusivity is a huge loss for Sony. Still, I wont wait for the localized version anyways, so it doesnt really matter…
July 15th, 2008 at 6:19 am
There’s no way this is killing the industry. Obviously, Konami is in it to make money too.
July 15th, 2008 at 7:05 am
I think you mean Square Enix
July 15th, 2008 at 9:30 am
I see your point now although I’m embarrassed to admit I did miss it the first time. I don’t fully agree either since Sony is doing the same thing on their side, although less effectively. Sadly, this is the direction the industry is heading in. Don’t forget that I’m the one who first told you that this is what Microsoft was trying to do. Other console generation had mutual respect for each other. They were competitive and even cut-throat but Microsoft took it to another level mostly because they can and partly because they are arrogant and aggressive sons of bitches. Sony does business differently and, in the long run, will have fans that will be loyal to them because of the way they do business. The new IP’s, some (but very few) quality exclusives that are actually 1st party (instead of 3rd party bribes), and consoles that last more than 5 years. I don’t think Microsoft has changed. I’m expecting another X-Box within 2-3 years. Is a 5 year cycle bad for a console? Hardly, but 8-9 year cycles are obviously better for the consumer who will see the trend and wisen up.
What ticks me off is people who downplay the 360 as it is now. I don’t care if Sony is catching up on hardware sales, they’re WAY behind in software sales. Maybe half the people who purchase a PS3 do it mostly because of the Blu-Ray drive. I’ll go as far as to say the system is almost useless to a gamer. Most people who own it don’t game. It’s like a Wii but on the opposite side of the spectrum targeting hardcore mediaphiles instead of casual everybodies.
Do I love Microsoft? No, I hate them. They’re greedy and ruthless. Do I love my 360? like you wouldn’t believe! Do I hate Sony? No, I think they’re being stupid but I don’t hate them. Do I love my PS3? No. I like it but not for gaming…
August 4th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
At least still have Versus
August 31st, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Who cares, Final Fantasy sucks anyways.
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:11 pm
What next, Cratos on the 360? Halo on the PS3?
October 27th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Little Big Planet is the ONLY exclusive that matters!
December 11th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
i bought a PS3 and an XBOX 360. I played them both and i found that the XBOS 360 offered much more in playability and online enjoyment. soon after i realized this i SOLD my PS3. (i only had it for about 1 week.) but i played it alot! but i will have to agree that little big planet is amazing XD