Will exclusives become a thing of the past?

[Lego]

Let me state right off the bat that I'm not talking about huge franchise titles such as Mario, Zelda, Halo, or Gran Turismo. I'm talking about titles like GTA IV where one company claims a "exclusive" but they're really talking about a three to five month window instead of a full on exclusive.

Recently I've been seeing a lot of talk about exclusives becoming well, not exclusive. The recent news has been about some PS3 games that have made the jump to multi platform like Assassin's Creed, and those who are still in the rumor phase like Devil May Cry 4. Now big ticket titles like Metal Gear Solid 4 and Devil May Cry 4 are probably going to stay as exclusives when it comes to the PS3. One would think that Sony has so much riding on these two blockbuster titles that they wouldn't let them go. The same can be said for Microsoft and Halo or Nintendo and Mario and Zelda. With the 360 being out the longest of this current generation, we've seen exclusives such as Lost Planet and Dead Rising.

Both are pretty popular games developed by Capcom and at least Dead Rising is going to become a franchise. Obviously showing up in Capcom's HQ with a suitcase of money and asking if they'll make an exclusive game for your console will work on most occasions. I mean it's a "win win" for Capcom as they get paid to make a game solely for the 360 and get a nice chunk of the US market and franchise potential. Still though, one has to wonder with the rising costs of making high definition games for the PS3 and 360 have a effect on publishers wanting to keep a game exclusive or not.

Obviously PS2, Gamecube, and Xbox games(last gen) had hefty price tags attached to them. I can only imagine how much a high end game like Metal Gear Solid 4 is going to end up costing or even something like Halo 3. So my point is with games costing more and more to make and develop will we see more games that were once trumped as exclusives turn multi platform? You need to recoup your costs somehow and putting it out on as many systems as you can will help you do that. Now you still have your system sellers like Halo, Mario, Zelda, Metal Gear and so on. Titles that you know you'll see in the top five for sales in both Japan and the United States. While I'm not predicting the death of exclusive titles, I do think that we'll see a lot more of the "big titles" go multi platform in this generation then we did last generation.

[Kurou]

Honestly, I think Sony's in the most trouble here. They've got the most ground to lose from last generation's exclusives.

They'll never get GTA back. Rockstar was trying to get out of it all last generation, and now with them being able to put it on the 360 at the same time as the PS3, MS will profit greatly.

Capcom has never been what you could call reliable with exclusivity. With Dead Rising's sales on the 360 as good as they were, and RE5 already announced for it, having DMC4 show in the 360 wouldn't shock me.

Konami's a bit more one-sided with MGS. I wouldn't be surprised here either, even if Kojima doesn't want it to.

[Chacranajxy]

I think I'd care more about exclusives leaving a platform if they were going to more powerful platforms rather than the other way around. If we heard that stuff like MGS4 and DMC4 were headed to the 360, I wouldn't care. They'll probably look better on the PS3. If it's the other way around though -- a 360 game going to the PS3, then I'm a little more interested because we could potentially see improvement graphically.

[Lego]

I see it all as a huge money grab when it comes to recouping costs. I do agree with you about Capcom since Resident Evil 4 came out and was a amazing Gamecube game, then gets ported to the PS2. As for GTA it's a huge system seller, so I could see why Take Two would want to put it on as many systems as possible. Sony seems to be stuck in a rut as their direct competition is Microsoft. I love Nintendo and the Wii, but when you want to talk about some of the huge titles like Halo 3 and MGS 4, the Wii isn't even in the discussion. At the moment you have this battle of titles between MS and Sony with a lot of Sony titles jumping ship. It's interesting in the fact that many have reported PS3 sales as sluggish and of course if you're a publisher you don't want to spend ten to fifteen million on a game to only have it sell 10,000 copies.

[Kurou]

I think I'd care more about exclusives leaving a platform if they were going to more powerful platforms rather than the other way around. If we heard that stuff like MGS4 and DMC4 were headed to the 360, I wouldn't care. They'll probably look better on the PS3. If it's the other way around though -- a 360 game going to the PS3, then I'm a little more interested because we could potentially see improvement graphically.

Not unless a whole lot of developers are more active than they were last generation. The Xbox was much more powerful than the PS2, but the number of developers that would actually exploit that power for a multi-platform title were few.

With the technological gap between the 360 and PS3 as small as it is, I don't think there will be any real downgrading.

[Suwako Moriya]

The problem with the term exclusive is that it's sometimes a temporary truth. Regardless it's not something I'm too worried about. Mainly because while some games end up on multiple platforms other games remain on a single platform. Even if a game does branch out to other systems, it could take months or even years before that happens. Thus if there is game I'm interested in for a system I already own. I'd rather just get the game as soon as I can. That way I'll be experiencing the game rather than waiting for something that may never happen.

[ADC]

As for non-exclusives, it's pretty much okey-dokey by me and I would hope that they become at least more normal. One thing I would hope, though, is that, in the case of tiered releases like the Grand Theft Auto games, they come out on the sensorily best system first — PS3, then 360, then Wii — so that nobody ever feels burnt when they get the 480p/Prologic game and then, five months later, the 1080p/DTS game drops. I'm saying that, even though I only have the 480p/Prologic system, because I think it just makes sense.

If I had to guess, I'd say that we'll probably see a whole pile of games hit PS3 and 360 which might have been just PS2 or just Xbox. Combinations including Wii are the least likely, of course (referring to third-parties, not just Nintendo), but even PS3/360/Wii will probably be more common than was PS2/Xbox/GCN.

[Suwako Moriya]

I don't know, I think releasing the best version first can backfire. Sure some would be pissed that a better version came out later. However you'd have a hard time with a promotion along the lines of "We're going to release an inferior version months later. Please some of you buy that!"

Of course granted the best version can sometimes be debatable. People have different criteria for what is important. Some will want the prettiest version. Some will want the version with the better sounding music. Some will want the version with the best load time. In some cases the controller will be the key factor.

[GHardin]

I think I'd care more about exclusives leaving a platform if they were going to more powerful platforms rather than the other way around. If we heard that stuff like MGS4 and DMC4 were headed to the 360, I wouldn't care. They'll probably look better on the PS3.

If they ever tap the potential of the system, sure. Otherwise, it'll all look the friggin' same.

If it's the other way around though -- a 360 game going to the PS3, then I'm a little more interested because we could potentially see improvement graphically.
Personally, I see that as a "cashing in" option, where they just do a half-assed maneuver and slap it on the system. Granted, it's not going to happen all the time...just more than half of the time. :sd:


It seems like a thing such as system exclusivity is going extinct...the only games that would probably remain exclusive (outside of first party franchises) are all of the gaming duds that didn't make a profit the first time around (of course, horribly reviewed games still manage to outsell the best of the best. Go figure that one out.).

[GetterBeam]

Frankly, I'll be GLAD if the Wii is "left out of the party" in terms "exclusives" this time around. The way I see, it'd be a boon rather than a fault along these lines:

-By not having the "DMC4"'s, Wii owners/devs can just make do otherwise. With Prime heading towards being done pretty well soon, there's no reason they can't get their asses back in gear to work on Ravenblade. No GTA? Ok then, make a proper Body Harvest since many gamers seem to have amnesia towards in post-GTA for some insane reason. The Wii would be better served to new IP's/resurrections that take the games in their own direction similar to how the Wii hardware pretty well goes in its own direction as well. Wiimote is PERFECT for IMPACT in Goemon...HD Impact not so much cooler though.

-The damn shell game. The trend to release a game to one platform and then after a few months-year release it again for another one with all manner of fixes/additions/etc is BS. A recent example, IMO, is Enchant arms from 360 to PS3. I want no part of paying to be a beta tester/focus group member along these kinda schemes.

Exclusivity otherwise this gen will ENTIRELY boil down to when/if the PS3 rouses, how Vista and DX10 shakes out, and the size of the money hats able to be furnished by the haberdashers.

Edit: Damn forum error and I forgot to C+P before hitting add post. I had this written much better too just prior but I lost my train of thought by this rewrite. :sigh:

[Johnny]

For the next year or so, yes, most big name 3rd party games will be on both PS3 and 360.
Once the PS3 gets going though, expect to see loads of series appearing in Japan that stay exclusive to the PS3.
In the west, most games will be multi-format until (assuming it happens) one console pulls away from the other in a big way (i.e. the PS2's dominance of the last generation).

It's good for developers, publishers and people who don't want to buy all available consoles but personally I'd much rather the 360 and PS3 had dozens of their own exclusives.
That's what's nice about the Wii. Yes, developers can shoehorn games into the control scheme but this will usually end in tears (NFS Carbon, Call of Duty 3 etc etc) and so they are "forced" to create original content.

For Sony and MS it's gonna be about first party software for a while and while I can maybe see DMC4 coming to 360, I would not expect to see MGS4 ever or maybe in a couple of years after the PS3 release if anything.

[Mateo_home]

Yes. To me, when a company announces a title to be exclusive, it's to make people want to think they need that console or to make them think it's "rare". Of course what they "discover" later on is that they could make more money if their game was multiplatform (RE4 for example). So I suppose nowadays an "exclusive" is nothing more than a gimmick. Or the third-party doesn't want to support the specific first-party anymore.

As for the Wii. Third parties could just make their multiplatform game for that console just use the classic controller and make it more traditional. I mean, look at the DS, you don't see too many new games for that use the touch screen or even the mic which is even rarer. :P

[Ty]

Exclusives get popular when one particular console has clear dominance of the market. Every maker has a few because they throw money at the publisher to make it so, but the PS2 had no trouble getting them because publishing a game for it was a license to print money.

With all the next-gen consoles out now and none having a totally clear cut advantage over the other I think we'll see fewer exclusives than before. The publishers don't want to take the risk.

[ADC]

As for the Wii. Third parties could just make their multiplatform game for that console just use the classic controller and make it more traditional. I mean, look at the DS, you don't see too many new games for that use the touch screen or even the mic which is even rarer. :P
Objection!

Looking at my collection, the bulk of which dropped in 2006, touchscreen games have a 13-7 lead over classic games. By this I mean games which at least offer frequent use of the touchscreen if not require persistent use. Make of that what you will, but I think that the creative teams out there aren't going to be satisfied with a whole bunch of games that require the Wii Classic.

[Mateo_home]

As for the Wii. Third parties could just make their multiplatform game for that console just use the classic controller and make it more traditional. I mean, look at the DS, you don't see too many new games for that use the touch screen or even the mic which is even rarer. :P
Objection!

Looking at my collection, the bulk of which dropped in 2006, touchscreen games have a 13-7 lead over classic games. By this I mean games which at least offer frequent use of the touchscreen if not require persistent use. Make of that what you will, but I think that the creative teams out there aren't going to be satisfied with a whole bunch of games that require the Wii Classic.

True. I haven't forgotten Hotel Dusk. OK, it's not third-party, so I suppose a game like Cooking Mama would be more accurate. It just feels like it's fading or like they're not making good use of it. Or maybe I'm only thinking of crappy thrid-party games. :P

EDIT: Just want to add in that the WiFi features on the DS and Wii won't be going anywhere anytime soon. I know that's obvious, but I just thought that I'd say that because online gameplay feels like it's becoming a neccessity.

[Soulblazer]

It would be nice if exclusives became a thing of the past. It is kind of a pain to have a bunch of different game systems to hook up all over the place.

[Lego]

Frankly, I'll be GLAD if the Wii is "left out of the party" in terms "exclusives" this time around. The way I see, it'd be a boon rather than a fault along these lines:

-By not having the "DMC4"'s, Wii owners/devs can just make do otherwise. With Prime heading towards being done pretty well soon, there's no reason they can't get their asses back in gear to work on Ravenblade. No GTA? Ok then, make a proper Body Harvest since many gamers seem to have amnesia towards in post-GTA for some insane reason. The Wii would be better served to new IP's/resurrections that take the games in their own direction similar to how the Wii hardware pretty well goes in its own direction as well. Wiimote is PERFECT for IMPACT in Goemon...HD Impact not so much cooler though.

-The damn shell game. The trend to release a game to one platform and then after a few months-year release it again for another one with all manner of fixes/additions/etc is BS. A recent example, IMO, is Enchant arms from 360 to PS3. I want no part of paying to be a beta tester/focus group member along these kinda schemes.

Exclusivity otherwise this gen will ENTIRELY boil down to when/if the PS3 rouses, how Vista and DX10 shakes out, and the size of the money hats able to be furnished by the haberdashers.

Edit: Damn forum error and I forgot to C+P before hitting add post. I had this written much better too just prior but I lost my train of thought by this rewrite. :sigh:

I'm with you in consoles like the Wii getting new and interesting games. But we all know that the GTA's and Halo's of the world sell like hot cakes. Nintendo has gone down the path of quirky games compared to Sony and Microsoft. I love Metal Gear Solid and will probably play MGS 4 sometime in the future, but I Kojima is king of the "shell game" as you put it. You get MGS 2 and MGS 3 released as good games and everyone plays them. Then months later we get a new version that has added bonus features and other goodies. I'm not to annoyed at Kojima for that though as I see it more as a collectors disc. But it's still a pain in the ass to buy another 40 dollar game.

Just like Hollywood, game companies go with what works. It's the reason why we see sequels up the wazoo and the reason why we're at DMC, MGS, and GTA 4. As long as games like Halo keep selling, you'll get high priced exclusives. It would be moronic of any of the companies to write off a high selling exclusive title.

[GetterBeam]

"I'm with you in consoles like the Wii getting new and interesting games. But we all know that the GTA's and Halo's of the world sell like hot cakes. Nintendo has gone down the path of quirky games compared to Sony and Microsoft. I love Metal Gear Solid and will probably play MGS 4 sometime in the future, but I Kojima is king of the "shell game" as you put it. You get MGS 2 and MGS 3 released as good games and everyone plays them. Then months later we get a new version that has added bonus features and other goodies. I'm not to annoyed at Kojima for that though as I see it more as a collectors disc. But it's still a pain in the ass to buy another 40 dollar game.

Just like Hollywood, game companies go with what works. It's the reason why we see sequels up the wazoo and the reason why we're at DMC, MGS, and GTA 4. As long as games like Halo keep selling, you'll get high priced exclusives. It would be moronic of any of the companies to write off a high selling exclusive title.[/quote]"

Quirk aside...Nintendo can do whatever either personally or by proxy...like Metroid Prime and such. I can't see them or the other publishers going full tilt on the quirk...they all got projects in mind and genres they prefer to work on I'm sure. I feel ya on MGS....but even that isn't quite the same. Buying the "special edition" a few months later is less than cool---when it for the same console as your original. If ya gotta buy a 400 or 600 machine IN ADDITION to the "special edition"...that's some ridiculous shit.

Nintendo doesn't have to write off any stuff or REALLY go begging (Reggie and GTA withstanding). The system is different enough to where everybody can just do as they please and reap whatever results they may. I could care less if the PS3 gets DMC4/5 considering it could very well work out that the Wii could wind up with RavenBlade1/2 with Ravenblade3 being the "DMC4" of Next gen and all the Uncanny Valley stuff levels out the playing field...or causes some kinda crash.

Gamecube was the "me-too" and it suffered for it...Wii is the "Ok, How about THIS!?" Epic, bat shit crazy games can be rendered by ANY talented dev team with their inspiration and train of thought in tact...and the Wii offers one of the cheapest and most low-pressure platforms to pursue such ventures. Even that AI program from back in October pretty much eliminates the leg work on the Wiimote part of the equation. Every system will have big time sellers prolly...Wii is set up to be an ideal resurrection/sequelitis breaker platform compared to the PS3 and 360...especially with Datel working on another Freeloader. :>

[Lego]

Gamecube was the "me-too" and it suffered for it...Wii is the "Ok, How about THIS!?" Epic, bat shit crazy games can be rendered by ANY talented dev team with their inspiration and train of thought in tact...and the Wii offers one of the cheapest and most low-pressure platforms to pursue such ventures. Even that AI program from back in October pretty much eliminates the leg work on the Wiimote part of the equation. Every system will have big time sellers prolly...Wii is set up to be an ideal resurrection/sequelitis breaker platform compared to the PS3 and 360...especially with Datel working on another Freeloader.

You know I really like that analogy between the Gamecube and the Wii. The Wii is totally off in another direction kind of saying "how about this?!" while the PS3 and 360 are going "I'm more powerful". Well thats the market that they're both trying to go for. The fact is that while I get what you're saying and even agree with it, big name titles sell. Thats the reason for exclusives as Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo try to lock up titles like GTA was last gen so they can get a sales boost. Mercenaries 2 is supposed to be a PS3 exclusive when it comes out late this year.

I can see the same thing happening like it did with Dead Rising where MS or Sony pays whoever for a game and makes the developer keep it exclusive because of that money. But most "normal" developers are going to want to expand their revenue streams and put games out on the 360 and PS3. I'm not saying that we won't see plenty of ports back and forth, but as others have mentioned you might see games that favored one console last gen going on both this gen. Unlike last generation, this generation is the one with the price tag. With the 360 going for 400 plus the HD DVD drive(making it 600), the PS3 at 600, and the Wii at 250, you better open up a mortgage on your house if you want to keep up with all the latest releases for each console.

The real question will be which system developers favor when it comes to games. You will see a ever lasting fanboy war when it comes to which has better graphics and so on. But it will telling to see if MS is going to barge and in start paying off people to make games exclusive or if companies can even afford to do that these days.

[jecca-neko]

As for the Wii. Third parties could just make their multiplatform game for that console just use the classic controller and make it more traditional. I mean, look at the DS, you don't see too many new games for that use the touch screen or even the mic which is even rarer. :P
Objection!

Looking at my collection, the bulk of which dropped in 2006, touchscreen games have a 13-7 lead over classic games. By this I mean games which at least offer frequent use of the touchscreen if not require persistent use. Make of that what you will, but I think that the creative teams out there aren't going to be satisfied with a whole bunch of games that require the Wii Classic.

True. I haven't forgotten Hotel Dusk. OK, it's not third-party, so I suppose a game like Cooking Mama would be more accurate. It just feels like it's fading or like they're not making good use of it. Or maybe I'm only thinking of crappy thrid-party games. :P


I really don't agree with you Mateo. There's many DS games that use the touch screen. In fact, most of the best ones (IMO of course) use the touch screen. I will admit the mic seems to get little use, however.

I do see games coming out that will utilize the classic controller for the Wii. However, I don't see the Wii ever having predominantly games with "standard" control schemes. The whole idea behind the Wii was to revolutionize gaming. Nintendo wants games to take advantage of the remote and nunchuk.

I personally don't think "lesser" exclusives, like you mentioned Lego, don't really matter so much. Look at the Genesis and SNES days when there were a lot of games that were released for both consoles. There were still exclusives, but most of the 3rd party titles came to both. I think the gaming industry is switching back to that trend.

[Kurou]

True. I haven't forgotten Hotel Dusk. OK, it's not third-party, so I suppose a game like Cooking Mama would be more accurate. It just feels like it's fading or like they're not making good use of it. Or maybe I'm only thinking of crappy thrid-party games. :P

EDIT: Just want to add in that the WiFi features on the DS and Wii won't be going anywhere anytime soon. I know that's obvious, but I just thought that I'd say that because online gameplay feels like it's becoming a neccessity.

I may be alone in this, but I prefer DS games that don't make you use the stylus. I prefer classic controls all the way.

Same reason I'm not too gung-ho about the Wii, I guess.

[Johnny]

Look at the Genesis and SNES days when there were a lot of games that were released for both consoles. There were still exclusives, but most of the 3rd party titles came to both. I think the gaming industry is switching back to that trend.

I think that's true but unfortunately, Sony and Microsoft will never have the first party games that Sega and Nintendo had back then even if they do have some really great stuff available/upcoming.

[Mateo_home]

Maybe I should try to clear myself up. The way I look at DS games compared to the early ones like WarioWare:Touched and Yoshi's Touch & Go only used the DS' innovative features. Well I void my statement for recent titles like Hotel Dusk and Pokemon Ranger. Oh screw it, I take back what I said completely. Just becuase a game doesn't use the touch screen well like Yoshi's Island DS doesn't mean it can't use both screens well.

But what about DS games abandoning the innovation before, I was thinking of the Castlevania games. First one used the touch screen nicely, the second one...didn't. However, it does have WiFi capabilities, so it does make up for it.

As for the Wii, well it's too early to judge. But the nunchuk/Wiimote can act as a classic controller. Especially how Zelda: Twilight Princess plays.

[ADC]

But what about DS games abandoning the innovation before, I was thinking of the Castlevania games. First one used the touch screen nicely, the second one...didn't. However, it does have WiFi capabilities, so it does make up for it.
Ah, but it did! You tap on the screen and your #2 character goes there. It can give you a bit of an edge in boss battles, at least until your MP runs out; and it's kind of helpful for a couple of instances when you need both people doing something onscreen, such as the motorcycle hallway. None of it's required, as in the first game with the Seals, but it's still there and has some value if you want to use it.

I think what's good about the DS, though, is that you can do 'traditional' games like the Castlevanias or Megaman ZX and have them come off nicely, or you can do games which eschew the standard controls completely like Clubhouse Games or Big Brain Academy — but the games which try to balance the two, like Super Princess Peach (which uses the microphone!), are real gems.

[DiGiKerot]

But what about DS games abandoning the innovation before, I was thinking of the Castlevania games. First one used the touch screen nicely, the second one...didn't. However, it does have WiFi capabilities, so it does make up for it.
Ah, but it did! You tap on the screen and your #2 character goes there. It can give you a bit of an edge in boss battles, at least until your MP runs out; and it's kind of helpful for a couple of instances when you need both people doing something onscreen, such as the motorcycle hallway. None of it's required, as in the first game with the Seals, but it's still there and has some value if you want to use it.


Man, I wish I'd noticed that whilst I was playing it :sd:

The extra Sisters mode, unlocked once you've finished the game, also makes proper use of the touch screen for the characters attacks.

[ADC]

Man, I wish I'd noticed that whilst I was playing it :sd:
I'll tell you that it was not particularly useful but not without value. The problem is that the #2 character's AI is pretty much, "If it's in range, kill it," and doesn't play a whole lot of defense. For some boss battles (particularly the last one), I left Charlotte offscreen and had Johnathan do it alone, just so I'd have (1) MP when I needed it and (2) fewer things moving around onscreen to distract me. The battles that require evasive maneuvers are just easier that way. Some of the mashers, though (Legion), worked really well with two people working in two areas.

[Suwako Moriya]

I may be alone in this, but I prefer DS games that don't make you use the stylus. I prefer classic controls all the way.

Honestly I'm not sure how I feel about the stylus over all. Given that I've only played three DS games off my brother's system. Tetris DS, Final Fantasy 3, and Children of Mana. In the case of Final Fantasy 3 I found it much better to just stick with the normal controls. While in the case of Children of Mana it barely makes use of the stylus anyway.

However I can say the main thing that interested me about the DS was the Dual Screen aspect. Even if the second screen is mainly used to show a constant status screen or a map it can be quite helpful. The stylus is something I view as I'll see how the game handles it.

[ADC]

Honestly I'm not sure how I feel about the stylus over all. Given that I've only played three DS games off my brother's system. Tetris DS, Final Fantasy 3, and Children of Mana. In the case of Final Fantasy 3 I found it much better to just stick with the normal controls. While in the case of Children of Mana it barely makes use of the stylus anyway.

However I can say the main thing that interested me about the DS was the Dual Screen aspect. Even if the second screen is mainly used to show a constant status screen or a map it can be quite helpful. The stylus is something I view as I'll see how the game handles it.
In the case of FF3/ds I find that each control scheme has its uses. The stylus control in the field, towns, dungeons is excellent, but it doesn't work so well in battles or the menu. I think Matrix/Square were correct to offer both and let the users choose which they prefer, though, rather than forcing one scheme or the other.

I agree that the dual screen functions are the best aspect of the DS, though, almost regardless of what they use the second screen for. Megaman ZX used it well most of the time, giving you a scanner for weak points or sonar to discover items or what have you. I also kind of like the games which use both screens in concert, like Bust a Move DS with its aiming across the screens. I haven't played it yet, but I think that the Metroid pinball game was supposed to use this to its advantage as well.

[jecca-neko]

Look at the Genesis and SNES days when there were a lot of games that were released for both consoles. There were still exclusives, but most of the 3rd party titles came to both. I think the gaming industry is switching back to that trend.

I think that's true but unfortunately, Sony and Microsoft will never have the first party games that Sega and Nintendo had back then even if they do have some really great stuff available/upcoming.

I'd definitely agree with that. I think the problem is it feels like Sony and Microsoft are TOO focused on hardware. Both Sega and Nintendo, back in the day, did both hardware and software. Nintendo is now the only "big gun" who still develops many titles each year and, for the most part, each one is really great. I want Sony and Microsoft to put out some greats. I think that'll really help them. At the very least, if something bad happens, they can pull a Sega and go on the software side of the business exclusively.