Sony Shows an Exclusive Desire to Win the Next-gen Console War

[Starlight]

First it came in the form of an epic 'screw you' to every non-Sony gamer who was looking forward to the simultaneous multiplatform PAL release of Ghostbusters: The Video Game.

The common criticism was that Microsoft had done it for a long time, so why shouldn't Sony be able to do the same thing?

As time passed it became clear that Atari was in some potentially dire financial straits that may well have acted as necessary motivation to accept Sony's offer.

Potentially Sony was acting as a saviour and throwing Atari a lifeline that allowed them to release a game that has enjoyed considerable positive hype.

The other platforms aren't missing out on Ghostbusters entirely; they're merely forced to wait for a period of time before they can access it.

In this respect, the Ghostbusters debacle can be seen as 'just desserts' for Microsoft who have been more than willing to do such things in the past.

But then came the announcement that Batman: Arkham Asylum, another multiplatform release, is set to receive exclusive content for PS3 owners. PS3 owners who purchase Arkham Asylum will be able to access The Joker in the game's Challenge Modes.

Given that The Joker is considered to be one of the greatest (if not the greatest) comic book villains of all time, this is quite an enticement for those gamers that own an Xbox 360 and PS3, or for those looking to purchase a next-gen console after the release of the game.

No word has been received yet as to whether the other Arkham Asylum platforms will receive their own exclusive content. Normally, this type of thing could be written off as an isolated event; a big name game that Sony managed to beat Microsoft to the punch on.

But during the presentation of Assassin's Creed II at E3 was an announcement of another exclusive deal that was glossed over in the presentation; Sony is set to receive more exclusive content on a multiplatform title.

This time around, the exclusive content is a little more complicated to access, as it requires both a PSP and Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines along with a PS3 and Assassin's Creed II. Regardless, those who combine the aforementioned items will have access to six exclusive weapons.

While this exclusive content isn't as significant as a playable Joker in Arkham Asylum, it does show a willingness by Sony to enter into a battle of exclusives with Microsoft.

We doubt that Microsoft will take the exclusive one-upmanship sitting down, and rumors are already circulating that they have secured a timed-exclusive deal for the next Tony Hawk game.

Inevitably this sort of exclusive content cockfight will only get worse before it gets better, with Xbox 360 and PS3 gamers gaining one piece of content at the expense of another.

Exclusive games are one thing, but when Microsoft and Sony continue to meddle with points of difference on multiplatform titles, it all gets a bit ugly. Even Batman isn't happy about the exclusive content war.


More PlayStation 3 News...

[Drakhen]

The way I feel about the exclusives are that eventullay they will hit both systems, So where you have the Joker on the Ps3 that will probably turn out to be a download on the other format. Lets take Soul Calibur to start off with originally Darth Vader was exclusive to the Ps3 format and Yoda was the 360 now you can download both of them on the other format, then along came Gta IV the expansions were a timed exclusive to the 360 now you can get them on the ps3, as long as there is a market the game companys will make for all to play there in it to make money.

Heck everyone out there is out to make a buck some way or another, I am fortunate enough to own all the systems to date and have seen these exclusive battles being brought on for awhile now, and frankly I will continue to get games for all the platforms, but for the most part I will buy all my stuff on the 360...

Why is that because that is where my friends do all there gamming, the consoles are to close in comparison to say this one is better then that one, Due to the fact that the games ARE created equal, I buy the Games you can only get on 1 system for that system but if the game is on both platforms like I said I will lean towards the 360 because that is where the friends are.

Now if sony dropped there price, which eventually will happen I am sure I will have more friends buying that system, but when you can go into a store and buy a system for alot less and get the same games I understand where peoples dollars go, and so do the game makers.

[walidahmadi]

i think nintendo has already won it.

[BeerBro]

then along came Gta IV the expansions were a timed exclusive to the 360 now you can get them on the ps3, as long as there is a market the game companys will make for all to play there in it to make money.

The GTA4 Expansions are all still xbox360 exclusive, even the 2nd expansion coming out. They haven't announced anything about coming out for PS3 as of today.

[tragedy]

I just hope that exclusives make the studios enough money. I'd happy shell out some money for the GTA expansions on the PS3, but it's simply not interesting enough to buy a 360 for. Likewise, I can't imagine anyone buying a PS3 just to play as the Joker. All it does is reduce the potential sales a game could make... *sigh*

[bobbintb]

i think that sounds pretty interesting..