E3 2008 Editorial: Calm Yourselves Over Sharing Of Former Exclusives

[xtop]

http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/3403.html

After yesterday's relatively stunning revelation that Final Fantasy XIII would be headed to the Xbox 360, and today's rumors that claim Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots will eventually come to the 360 as well, I figure everyone needs to drink some decaf, sit back in a nice, comfy armchair, and convince themselves that the world is not actually ending.

Of course, we're keeping a very careful eye on the proceedings at E3, and that means we're not limiting our scan to the Sony conference (which kicks off in about two and a half hours, by the way). Obviously, we noticed the FFXIII announcement, and immediately afterwards, the predictable happened: the Internet exploded. However, while I understand the motivation behind it, it seems painfully obvious that everyone is getting just a touch carried away. I'm reading articles now about how the PS3 might be "dead" because it "lost" FFXIII, and how nobody should even bother buying the PS3. The knee-jerk reactions are expected, but seriously, take a step back and survey the situation with a realistic, reasonable, and logical eye:

I think we've all known for a while that the third-party exclusive is going the way of the dodo. I figured that was just common knowledge. Before long, the only "exclusives" left will be first-party titles, and after some time, I'm willing to bet even those will be subject to negotiation. Thing is, in regards to FFXIII, that's still a ways off, and I don't see how Grand Theft Auto IV hurt anyone. Is Sony really suffering because that game launched simultaneously for the PS3 and 360? And what about MGS4? It won't be a while until it comes out for the 360 - even if it does arrive - and by then, the PS3 will have already reaped the rewards. It happened with Bioshock's timed exclusivity for the 360, yes? The bottom line is that Sony executives aren't currently hiding under their desks just because FFXIII is also going to the 360. That's just not happening.

And gamers out there need to step off the fanboy wagon and simply appreciate the situation for what it is. Another group of gamers who own a different console will get to play a fantastic title, and if someone owns both consoles...what difference does it make, anyway? This is not the end of the world. If we have to, we can compare Sony's first-party exclusives to Microsoft's, but I honestly believe Sony wins that battle without any trouble. Furthermore, would it be wrong to assume something like Gears of War is coming to the PS3? Why do 360 owners just assume it's sticking around? Third-party exclusives are just about done, and we have to accept that for this new generation. Hardware sales aren't going to take a dive tomorrow because a game loosely scheduled for 2009 is no longer available for only one platform! And sales aren't going to spike for the other platform, either! It's a bonus for 360 owners, but in all actuality, current PS3 owners - and prospective PS3 owners - aren't "losing" anything.

They still get FFXIII, and at the same time as Xbox 360 owners. They still get the first-party exclusives, with names like Gran Turismo, Resistance, Ratchet and Clank, etc. They still get Blu-Ray. They still get a free Network. They still get far greater reliability (still true; MS has yet to fix the RRoD problem, obviously). Nobody in their right minds is curling up into a ball and crying over this. And by the way, one final note: for years, Xbox loyalists have bashed FF relentlessly; they won't play a "kiddie RPG, anyway," and "FF sucks; who cares?" This note of significant jealousy died yesterday, and they all pulled a complete 180. In a nutshell, this is why fanboyism is so unbelievably lame. For my part, I keep my 360 for a variety of reasons, and while I'm certain I'll play FFXIII on my PS3, I really have no problem playing GeoW2 on my 360. Nor do I have a problem playing Infinite Undiscovery and Lost Odyssey on it.

But you know what I won't do? I won't cry if any of those lose exclusivity and go to the PS3. Just like I'm not crying about FFXIII. Perhaps sadly, the "knee-jerk" days are gone for me, and I'm too old...I'm forced to be a realist. Could everyone else at least attempt to adopt that same philosophy for the sake of maturity in this industry? Thanks.

figured this needed to be posted after the first 2 days of e3. its ok guys! we're still getting ff!

[Blu Blur]

I will admit to getting caught up in the doom and gloom of it all, but thats because this one hit closer to home then the other announcements. Kind of like how Transformer fans felt when Paramount went HD-DVD exclusive. Still a fans reaction is always overblown but I did some thinking today while watching the press conference....

It's a huge loss and a big blow. Along the same lines as the Paramount HD-DVD deal , but in the long run I feel that just like that deal M$ acted out of desperation and it will not help them. It will not further their Japanese acceptance (as it's not coming out there for 360) and it will not deter or sway anyone to buy a 360. Truth be told the only one M$ hurt here is the Sony fan boys. Sure PS3 will be slowed down because it won't have this title to tout as an exclusive, but it will not stop the PS3. Especially if either of the MMO's Sony announced MAG or DC universe take off, then M$ is doomed as they have nothing comparable to an MMO. Also no PS3 owner is going to go buy a 360 to get FF13, this only prevents 360 owners from buying a PS3 for FF13, so no ground gained. So again what did M$ accomplish? FF13 was a huge loss but it's not coming out this year or next, so the damage is still looming not occurring right now. By the time this game is relevant to anyone besides fans, PS3 may have already over taken 360 and even if it has not the impact is not as huge due to the points I made above. SO from where I sit they did all that because they feared that 360 owners would buy PS3's not because they think it will sell 360's the only one making money here is Square-Enix the cold bastards they are.

Honestly outside of the FF13 announcement the MS conference was boring. Both major platforms are getting RE5, Fallout 3 and a bunch of other stuff they touted. The avatars? Lame, Sony took the Mii idea (and for better or worse) made them realistic and used them in a bigger fashion then Nintendo. While Nintendo uses avatars to represent a cute version of yourself which is a big hit with the non-gamers, also kind of cool to see how much the Mii's look like the real people they represent. MS avatars are some bastard mix of the two. Not as real as Sony's but not as friendly as Nintendo's. I honestly see this being a big flop for them as most 360 users are already enthused enough with gamer tags and then factor in all the XBL DH's now cursing out people with these semi cute avatars and you have a recipe for disaster. Not to mention that they look cold and corporate (something MS does best). Lips is just a Sing Star rip off, that’s it.


Sony's press conference today has given me more then enough faith in the PS brand (aside from obvious no shows... HELLO White Knight where are you?) . M$ could buy Sony and Nintendo and I still would not buy a 360, I would stop gaming first. I am too stubborn to be swayed back, and most PS3 owners are not going to be swayed either. Sony's on the ropes but far from down. Their first party games are way better then M$'s and those can't be bought. The third parties will wake up once PS3 sells over 10 mill and becomes the dominant brand in Japan and Europe. (glad I waited for Eternal Sonata I would feel pretty stupid if I went out and picked up a 360 a month or 2 ago only to get confirmation that it was PS3 bound finally!) Yes PS3 fans want JRPG’s but no PS3 zealot is going to buy a 360 for those titles, or now buy a 360 and get FF13 for it, they will just sit and wait for the titles they want (which in 6 months to a years time Square will give them) . Sony’s bleeding from the loss but MS takes the knives they cut Sony with and stick them in themselves, as they now bleed from money lost that they will never see a return on, only to be able to say “Yeah me too!”. Figured since I contributed to the chicken little sydrome I might as well go on damage control after. Hope everyone can appreciate a little silver lining.

[Blu-Generation]

Originally Posted by xtop

its ok guys! we're still getting ff!

It's not even about us getting it anymore. Right now it's more about it not being exclusive.

[Terjyn]

I'm sick of being preached to by arrogant elitist pricks who think they know-it-all.

This is a big deal, and screw them and anyone else who doesn't think it is.

If for no other reason then it means that Final Fantasy XIII international will be delayed by a minimum of 6 months while Square-Enix appeases their new masters.

[xtop]

haha..maybe i shouldn't have posted it? it seems that theres a good deal of people out there that saw this coming from a mile away (gotta say i never saw this coming)

don't shoot the messenger tho

[kjacobs03]

I personally don't care if the Xbox gets it, I just don't want the PS3 version to be dumbed down for them to get it.
Also, it pisses me off that S-E confirmed like 3-4 times that the game was PS3 exclusive.

[Terjyn]

That was entirely directed at them xtop, not at you at all.

By the way, where the hell is the rumor about MGS4 coming from again? I saw nothing about that in any E3 coverage, anywhere. Link? Even with a Link I don't think I'd believe it, they'd expect me to believe that that wouldn't be big enough to warrant a mention in Microsoft's conference?

[xtop]

Originally Posted by Terjyn

That was entirely directed at them xtop, not at you at all.

By the way, where the hell is the rumor about MGS4 coming from again? I saw nothing about that in any E3 coverage, anywhere. Link? Even with a Link I don't think I'd believe it, they'd expect me to believe that that wouldn't be big enough to warrant a mention in Microsoft's conference?

i never saw the rumors and i haven't seen a link. but its probably just making its rounds again like it has been for the last year or so

[Blu-Generation]

Originally Posted by kjacobs03

it pisses me off that S-E confirmed like 3-4 times that the game was PS3 exclusive.

Our version will be completed first, but we as PS3 owner must wait for the 360 version before we get ours.
That's even worse.

[Proteus]

For me, it's not about FFXIII really.

It is simply the cog that is putting me over the edge.

I'm sick and tired of Sony promising this and that and not delivering. They haven't delivered on anything. They have been running TV commercials for two years that show LBP and other supposedly coming games (including HOME) and none of them have materialized. For all I know at this point everything on those games is just renders and they don't really exist!

And, finally, the true perception I, and I'm sure others, have had to deal with... Microsoft is willing to do whatever it takes and Sony is not. That is the root of it. Sony just doesn't seem to 'care' and the FFXIII thing is really just the last little piece that brought the whole puzzle together and opened the eyes of many.

I'm sorry, but I WANT the company whose console I choose to at least CARE about me as a customer and what my needs/wants are. Don't worry, I won't list them again here... But, hopefully the point is now clear after my ubsurd amount of posts today.

[Awesome McCool]

FFXIII isn't the only game on the PS3.

[Blu-Generation]

Originally Posted by Awesome McCool

FFXIII isn't the only game on the PS3.

It isn't. But it's one of the big one.

A system seller.

[saprano]

The artical is real sweet at all(yea F'n right) but it seems everybody's missing the point.

this is not about oh we still get to play it, no its about final fantasy being only on a playstion for years and now its not. the playtation name is/was know for JRPG's.

especially FF, i cant understand why people act like this is ok, its not. especially how we lost it, To M$ lets buy everything campaign.

I cant believe Square..no excuse me... i cant believe wada would break tradition over M$ money, they dont even care about the game and what it stands for, they only care about hurting sony.

[xtop]

the point of the article should be pointed out..that its not a big deal that ff is leaving, because at some point, 3rd party exclusive's will be a thing of the past. and this is just the start

[Blu-Generation]

Originally Posted by saprano

The artical is real sweet at all(yea F'n right) but it seems everybody's missing the point.

this is not about oh we still get to play it, no its about final fantasy being only on a playstion for years and now its not. the playtation name is/was know for JRPG's.

especially FF, i cant understand why people act like this is ok, its not. especially how we lost it, To M$ lets buy everything campaign.

I cant believe Square..no excuse me... i cant believe wada would break tradition over M$ money, they dont even care about the game and what it stands for, they only care about hurting sony.

Japanese pride, out the window.

And Wada made that happen.

I feel bad for Snake, he's old, he's tired of war, and yet he's alone in the battlefield.
He's like our only big exclusive title from Japan right now.

Originally Posted by xtop

at some point, 3rd party exclusive's will be a thing of the past. and this is just the start

Yeah, and MS started it.

[kjacobs03]

Originally Posted by Blu-Generation

It isn't. But it's one of the big one.

A system seller.

I agree 100%. I bought my PS3 at launch FOR FFXIII! and blu-ray of course!

[Simplayer]

Originally Posted by saprano

I cant believe Square..no excuse me... i cant believe wada would break tradition over M$ money

They are in business to make money.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by Simplayer

They are in business to make money.

Like i said, i cant believe wada would break tradition over M$ money.

[Blu-Generation]

Originally Posted by Simplayer

They are in business to make money.

Yeah, only problem with that is, before they were in business to both.
For the fans, and for the money. But it was more lean toward the fans.

How do I know this? Because it was quality product.

Before quality comes first, now it's all about quantity.

How do I know this? Because lately they've been releasing decent or sub-par product.
At times, completely junk.

[Simplayer]

If they don't release quality products, people won't buy them, thus they make less money.

They still have incentive to make quality games if their main concern is profit.