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Have you noticed the recent obsession of exclusivity deals not actually being 100% exclusive? Splinter Cell for example, it was an awesome game for the X-box, branded about like it was the god of stealth, only 6 months later it appeared on rival formats.
This of course is to do with the latest announcements, the excellent games Prince of Persia and Beyond Good and Evil was due for a mega multi-format Christmas launch. Ubi-softs entire new look was beginning to take shape and were fast becoming the biggest third party company in the world. I played both titles at the recent ECTS and they were both fantastic, yet due to Sony’s slightly lesser Christmas launch, Sony snapped up temporary exclusive rights to the games. Sony are notably missing any of it’s big titles, no MGS, no Tekken, no Tomb Raider, no GTA... (unless you count the bundle, which I don't) just GT and so a 6 month deal was signed for these upcoming big hitters.
And the 6-month deal is all they'll need.
If Prince of Persia and Beyond Good and Evil was to sell consoles it would sell Sony’s, not least for the fact it cashes in on the Christmas market but also because it was released and advertised as a PS2 game. So inevitably Sony are the winners… or are they?
You see Ubi Soft won’t just twiddle their thumbs as they wait the 6-month transition period, they’ll improve the game, add a few extras, perhaps a GBA connectivity feature for the Gamecube and improved graphics for the X-box. And if there happens to be any major complaints in the PS2 reviews you can expect them to be ironed out for the Gamecube and X-box release. So who are the winners here? Sony may of harnessed the sales, but it is the Gamecube and X-box fans, those who get the improved version, who are the real winners.
Let’s take Die Hard: Vendetta for example. Nintendo are the most cunning out of all the companies. The Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia 6-month deals were revealed very quickly, it was well known these games would go multi-format eventually before they were released on any consoles. Die Hard: Vendetta was the game Nintendo got a temporary exclusive deal to, and none of us knew it would go multi-format… because Nintendo made sure BITS kept quiet. This meant the big N capitalized on the sales more than normal, so a big hand to Nintendo for reaping the Die Hard profits… but those lucky PS2 sods got not only an improved single player mode but also the missing multiplayer mode that was criticized for being absent. So who won? Nintendo as a business and Sony’s fan base. (Nintendo’s secrecy amongst their 6-month deal may also explain the mystery over the Capcom 5. Each game is apparently “not exclusive” but it isn’t appearing on any other format yet… did Nintendo grab a load of 6-month deals from Capcom?)
This is becoming a regular occurrence, developers are given a 6-month leeway to fiddle with their title, Ubi Soft managed to throw in exclusive weapons, levels and GBA connection features for the Gamecube and PS2 versions of Splinter cell. Really I know what I prefer, yes I am disappointed I won’t be playing the excellent Prince of Persia sooner… but the prospect of an even better game is hard to pass up. Who can forget while Nintendo waited for Easter to release Metroid Prime in Europe they decided to implement a few new features. I am the sort of person that would have been willing to wait 6 more months to get the 100% finished version of Wind Waker rather than the cut down version we were subjected too… but of course Nintendo's falling software sales meant that a 6-month delay would be catastrophic.
It is Business Vs. Pleasure once again... so which team do you support?
Here’s to the future.
Dringo.
This of course is to do with the latest announcements, the excellent games Prince of Persia and Beyond Good and Evil was due for a mega multi-format Christmas launch. Ubi-softs entire new look was beginning to take shape and were fast becoming the biggest third party company in the world. I played both titles at the recent ECTS and they were both fantastic, yet due to Sony’s slightly lesser Christmas launch, Sony snapped up temporary exclusive rights to the games. Sony are notably missing any of it’s big titles, no MGS, no Tekken, no Tomb Raider, no GTA... (unless you count the bundle, which I don't) just GT and so a 6 month deal was signed for these upcoming big hitters.
And the 6-month deal is all they'll need.
If Prince of Persia and Beyond Good and Evil was to sell consoles it would sell Sony’s, not least for the fact it cashes in on the Christmas market but also because it was released and advertised as a PS2 game. So inevitably Sony are the winners… or are they?
You see Ubi Soft won’t just twiddle their thumbs as they wait the 6-month transition period, they’ll improve the game, add a few extras, perhaps a GBA connectivity feature for the Gamecube and improved graphics for the X-box. And if there happens to be any major complaints in the PS2 reviews you can expect them to be ironed out for the Gamecube and X-box release. So who are the winners here? Sony may of harnessed the sales, but it is the Gamecube and X-box fans, those who get the improved version, who are the real winners.
Let’s take Die Hard: Vendetta for example. Nintendo are the most cunning out of all the companies. The Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia 6-month deals were revealed very quickly, it was well known these games would go multi-format eventually before they were released on any consoles. Die Hard: Vendetta was the game Nintendo got a temporary exclusive deal to, and none of us knew it would go multi-format… because Nintendo made sure BITS kept quiet. This meant the big N capitalized on the sales more than normal, so a big hand to Nintendo for reaping the Die Hard profits… but those lucky PS2 sods got not only an improved single player mode but also the missing multiplayer mode that was criticized for being absent. So who won? Nintendo as a business and Sony’s fan base. (Nintendo’s secrecy amongst their 6-month deal may also explain the mystery over the Capcom 5. Each game is apparently “not exclusive” but it isn’t appearing on any other format yet… did Nintendo grab a load of 6-month deals from Capcom?)
This is becoming a regular occurrence, developers are given a 6-month leeway to fiddle with their title, Ubi Soft managed to throw in exclusive weapons, levels and GBA connection features for the Gamecube and PS2 versions of Splinter cell. Really I know what I prefer, yes I am disappointed I won’t be playing the excellent Prince of Persia sooner… but the prospect of an even better game is hard to pass up. Who can forget while Nintendo waited for Easter to release Metroid Prime in Europe they decided to implement a few new features. I am the sort of person that would have been willing to wait 6 more months to get the 100% finished version of Wind Waker rather than the cut down version we were subjected too… but of course Nintendo's falling software sales meant that a 6-month delay would be catastrophic.
It is Business Vs. Pleasure once again... so which team do you support?
Here’s to the future.
Dringo.
Shigeru Miyamoto - Carts can be as big as you make them and the technology allows us to make a 256 mb cart for the GBA. So who knew what the future may of held.
I like these 6 months exclusivity deals.
The buyer still gets the business advantage so they get what they want, but at the same time, the skint gamer who can't afford another console gets to play the game eventually.
Although I'd say the N64 was a LOT better than the Playstation, there are plenty of Playstation games I wouldn't have minded seen ported to the Nintendo console.
Tekken and Metal Gear Solid come to mind.
As nice as Final Fantasy 7 would have been, they'd NEVER have fit a 3 CD game (about 2000Mb) onto a cartrige (64Mn if you REALLY push it, but only Resident Evil 2 went that far and probably cost more as a result!).
:-)
The buyer still gets the business advantage so they get what they want, but at the same time, the skint gamer who can't afford another console gets to play the game eventually.
Although I'd say the N64 was a LOT better than the Playstation, there are plenty of Playstation games I wouldn't have minded seen ported to the Nintendo console.
Tekken and Metal Gear Solid come to mind.
As nice as Final Fantasy 7 would have been, they'd NEVER have fit a 3 CD game (about 2000Mb) onto a cartrige (64Mn if you REALLY push it, but only Resident Evil 2 went that far and probably cost more as a result!).
:-)
Prince of Persia, Splinter cell, Beyond Good and Evil and XIII should give Nintendo food for thought.
I remember playing an adventure game along time ago on the PC (similar in style to Broken Sword) but i cant remember the name, that was made by Ubisoft, the game is probably at least 6 years old now but was seriously great fun.
Anyway what im trying to say is that Ubisoft have always had great potential, they could rise the proverbial phoenix and steal someones thunder if they so chose, i have no doubt of that.
Anyway what im trying to say is that Ubisoft have always had great potential, they could rise the proverbial phoenix and steal someones thunder if they so chose, i have no doubt of that.
Good post, Dringo.
I agree that it much better for GC or Xbox owners if developers actually utilise the power of the consoles for added enhancements. I think Criterion did the same with Burnout 2.
Too often we see lazy ports with no emphasis placed on improving the game for the games console in question.
I think Beyond Good and Evil will be a great game. I'm looking forward to it.
Ubisoft are fast becoming one of the most renowned developers in the world.
I agree that it much better for GC or Xbox owners if developers actually utilise the power of the consoles for added enhancements. I think Criterion did the same with Burnout 2.
Too often we see lazy ports with no emphasis placed on improving the game for the games console in question.
I think Beyond Good and Evil will be a great game. I'm looking forward to it.
Ubisoft are fast becoming one of the most renowned developers in the world.
ÂLŠ†ÂÎR wrote:
> I am supporting all 3 consoles this Christmas :)
>
> The PS2 has the impressive Manhunt which looks awesome and along with
> Far Cry, GT4, Pro Evolution 3, GTA Double Pack and Killzone it could
> turn out to be just enough for them. I agree with what you say about
> the GTA Double Pack though as it doesn't really count as a new
> release.
It still lacks strength over their normal Christmas line-up... originally the Nintendo one included Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Pikmin 2, Mario Kart, F Zero GX, Mario Party 5 and Mario golf as major system sellers with Viewtiful Joe and a host of third party releases (especially from EA) with specific extras for the Cube...
Of course that has dwindled since, but as you can see it was a bit hectic in there.
> I am supporting all 3 consoles this Christmas :)
>
> The PS2 has the impressive Manhunt which looks awesome and along with
> Far Cry, GT4, Pro Evolution 3, GTA Double Pack and Killzone it could
> turn out to be just enough for them. I agree with what you say about
> the GTA Double Pack though as it doesn't really count as a new
> release.
It still lacks strength over their normal Christmas line-up... originally the Nintendo one included Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Pikmin 2, Mario Kart, F Zero GX, Mario Party 5 and Mario golf as major system sellers with Viewtiful Joe and a host of third party releases (especially from EA) with specific extras for the Cube...
Of course that has dwindled since, but as you can see it was a bit hectic in there.
Man Hunt just looks like more controversial fap fap from Rockstar if you ask me. Far Cry looks excellent on the PC, but it'll look like a dogs rear end on Sony's black slab.
Anyway enough slating Sony...actually I'm not done yet. I don't think getting BG&E and Prince of Persia was a particuarly smart move by them, they're not the kind of games most Ps2 owners go for, no matter how good they're gonna be.
Anyway enough slating Sony...actually I'm not done yet. I don't think getting BG&E and Prince of Persia was a particuarly smart move by them, they're not the kind of games most Ps2 owners go for, no matter how good they're gonna be.
I am supporting all 3 consoles this Christmas :)
The PS2 has the impressive Manhunt which looks awesome and along with Far Cry, GT4, Pro Evolution 3, GTA Double Pack and Killzone it could turn out to be just enough for them. I agree with what you say about the GTA Double Pack though as it doesn't really count as a new release.
The PS2 has the impressive Manhunt which looks awesome and along with Far Cry, GT4, Pro Evolution 3, GTA Double Pack and Killzone it could turn out to be just enough for them. I agree with what you say about the GTA Double Pack though as it doesn't really count as a new release.
Have you noticed the recent obsession of exclusivity deals not actually being 100% exclusive? Splinter Cell for example, it was an awesome game for the X-box, branded about like it was the god of stealth, only 6 months later it appeared on rival formats.
This of course is to do with the latest announcements, the excellent games Prince of Persia and Beyond Good and Evil was due for a mega multi-format Christmas launch. Ubi-softs entire new look was beginning to take shape and were fast becoming the biggest third party company in the world. I played both titles at the recent ECTS and they were both fantastic, yet due to Sony’s slightly lesser Christmas launch, Sony snapped up temporary exclusive rights to the games. Sony are notably missing any of it’s big titles, no MGS, no Tekken, no Tomb Raider, no GTA... (unless you count the bundle, which I don't) just GT and so a 6 month deal was signed for these upcoming big hitters.
And the 6-month deal is all they'll need.
If Prince of Persia and Beyond Good and Evil was to sell consoles it would sell Sony’s, not least for the fact it cashes in on the Christmas market but also because it was released and advertised as a PS2 game. So inevitably Sony are the winners… or are they?
You see Ubi Soft won’t just twiddle their thumbs as they wait the 6-month transition period, they’ll improve the game, add a few extras, perhaps a GBA connectivity feature for the Gamecube and improved graphics for the X-box. And if there happens to be any major complaints in the PS2 reviews you can expect them to be ironed out for the Gamecube and X-box release. So who are the winners here? Sony may of harnessed the sales, but it is the Gamecube and X-box fans, those who get the improved version, who are the real winners.
Let’s take Die Hard: Vendetta for example. Nintendo are the most cunning out of all the companies. The Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia 6-month deals were revealed very quickly, it was well known these games would go multi-format eventually before they were released on any consoles. Die Hard: Vendetta was the game Nintendo got a temporary exclusive deal to, and none of us knew it would go multi-format… because Nintendo made sure BITS kept quiet. This meant the big N capitalized on the sales more than normal, so a big hand to Nintendo for reaping the Die Hard profits… but those lucky PS2 sods got not only an improved single player mode but also the missing multiplayer mode that was criticized for being absent. So who won? Nintendo as a business and Sony’s fan base. (Nintendo’s secrecy amongst their 6-month deal may also explain the mystery over the Capcom 5. Each game is apparently “not exclusive” but it isn’t appearing on any other format yet… did Nintendo grab a load of 6-month deals from Capcom?)
This is becoming a regular occurrence, developers are given a 6-month leeway to fiddle with their title, Ubi Soft managed to throw in exclusive weapons, levels and GBA connection features for the Gamecube and PS2 versions of Splinter cell. Really I know what I prefer, yes I am disappointed I won’t be playing the excellent Prince of Persia sooner… but the prospect of an even better game is hard to pass up. Who can forget while Nintendo waited for Easter to release Metroid Prime in Europe they decided to implement a few new features. I am the sort of person that would have been willing to wait 6 more months to get the 100% finished version of Wind Waker rather than the cut down version we were subjected too… but of course Nintendo's falling software sales meant that a 6-month delay would be catastrophic.
It is Business Vs. Pleasure once again... so which team do you support?
Here’s to the future.
Dringo.
This of course is to do with the latest announcements, the excellent games Prince of Persia and Beyond Good and Evil was due for a mega multi-format Christmas launch. Ubi-softs entire new look was beginning to take shape and were fast becoming the biggest third party company in the world. I played both titles at the recent ECTS and they were both fantastic, yet due to Sony’s slightly lesser Christmas launch, Sony snapped up temporary exclusive rights to the games. Sony are notably missing any of it’s big titles, no MGS, no Tekken, no Tomb Raider, no GTA... (unless you count the bundle, which I don't) just GT and so a 6 month deal was signed for these upcoming big hitters.
And the 6-month deal is all they'll need.
If Prince of Persia and Beyond Good and Evil was to sell consoles it would sell Sony’s, not least for the fact it cashes in on the Christmas market but also because it was released and advertised as a PS2 game. So inevitably Sony are the winners… or are they?
You see Ubi Soft won’t just twiddle their thumbs as they wait the 6-month transition period, they’ll improve the game, add a few extras, perhaps a GBA connectivity feature for the Gamecube and improved graphics for the X-box. And if there happens to be any major complaints in the PS2 reviews you can expect them to be ironed out for the Gamecube and X-box release. So who are the winners here? Sony may of harnessed the sales, but it is the Gamecube and X-box fans, those who get the improved version, who are the real winners.
Let’s take Die Hard: Vendetta for example. Nintendo are the most cunning out of all the companies. The Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia 6-month deals were revealed very quickly, it was well known these games would go multi-format eventually before they were released on any consoles. Die Hard: Vendetta was the game Nintendo got a temporary exclusive deal to, and none of us knew it would go multi-format… because Nintendo made sure BITS kept quiet. This meant the big N capitalized on the sales more than normal, so a big hand to Nintendo for reaping the Die Hard profits… but those lucky PS2 sods got not only an improved single player mode but also the missing multiplayer mode that was criticized for being absent. So who won? Nintendo as a business and Sony’s fan base. (Nintendo’s secrecy amongst their 6-month deal may also explain the mystery over the Capcom 5. Each game is apparently “not exclusive” but it isn’t appearing on any other format yet… did Nintendo grab a load of 6-month deals from Capcom?)
This is becoming a regular occurrence, developers are given a 6-month leeway to fiddle with their title, Ubi Soft managed to throw in exclusive weapons, levels and GBA connection features for the Gamecube and PS2 versions of Splinter cell. Really I know what I prefer, yes I am disappointed I won’t be playing the excellent Prince of Persia sooner… but the prospect of an even better game is hard to pass up. Who can forget while Nintendo waited for Easter to release Metroid Prime in Europe they decided to implement a few new features. I am the sort of person that would have been willing to wait 6 more months to get the 100% finished version of Wind Waker rather than the cut down version we were subjected too… but of course Nintendo's falling software sales meant that a 6-month delay would be catastrophic.
It is Business Vs. Pleasure once again... so which team do you support?
Here’s to the future.
Dringo.