Microsoft head butts FIFA, Pro Evo Soccer into exclusivity
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Aug 23rd 2006 at 12:55PM }
Speaking at the Leipzig Games Convention, Microsoft has announced that if you want to play the most graphically impressive footy games without gallivanting outside and running the risk of getting someone's head lodged in your chest, you'll have to do it on the Xbox 360. In what is sure to be a valuable coup, both FIFA 2007 and Pro Evolution Soccer 6 are bound exclusively to the Xbox 360 for a period of 12 months. The latter game is hugely popular in Europe and may prove to be quite a
Look forward to not making a decision at all regarding the console when you buy a next-gen soccer game in 2007.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Canadian Geese @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:06PM
That's huge! It may not be that big of a deal to some of us Americans, but to the rest of the world, it's HUGE.
This could be the move that wins Europe for MS.
Jeff @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:06PM
See my comment on this in the other Leipzig thread - this announcement doesn't seem to mean what some people think it means.
Odds Bodkins @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:06PM
Oy. So what happens next? Does Sony team up with EA and pay the NFL more money to make it exclusive to the PS3 and PSP?
I'll go to whatever system can get the exclusive rights to Professional Curling!
Alkaiser @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:07PM
Well, considering that I like Winning 11 better than either Pro Evo or EA Soccer, it's not such a big deal...other than that it's odd that Microsoft bullied EA into an exclusivity deal...
cringer8 @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:07PM
That soccer ball is way too small. What is that image from?
Jerm @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:12PM
You see, this is the reason you don't get into a bidding war with Microsoft. They have money just sitting around. MS seems to be getting real coozy with EA in the last few years. And this comes not that long after most people declared the end to exclusive games, now to have FIFA exclusive? We're never see Madden and Live exclusive (too much money at stake), but what about an exclusive Golf, or an exclusive NHL from EA.
This is huge in so many ways, because it shows that EA's loyalty is up for bids. And while it may sound like I'm leaning towards PS3 fanboyism - I want MS to give Sony a good trouncing.
Ludwig Kietzmann @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:12PM
Alkaiser, Winning 11 IS Pro Evo. :)
.ed @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:17PM
Jeff is referring to this:
""Pro Evolution Soccer 6 gets its own extended trailer, now. To be perfectly honest, it looks like a slightly prettier version of the PS2 game"
In other words, it's PES6 on the 360 that's the last-gen port. The PS3 version (likely PES7) will be the first true next-gen PES.
Also, it just says PES6 is exclusive - not the PES series, and not "Winning Eleven". So the Xbox 360 gets its PS2 port of PES6 in Europe, while the PS3 gets PES7 and Winning Eleven 11(!) in the US and Japan sometime within the next 12 months. Basically, what MS has secured is European exclusivity for an obsolete port.
Not much of an "exclusive" there if you ask me."
I personally wouldn't buy a system based on one year of exclusivity over any other systems, especially when there will be other soccer games available, like Mario Strikers (non-sim) and probably fifa street and sega soccer slam to boot.. also does this mean Fifa world cup is still non exclusive?
Rogue Soul @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:17PM
Yeah 'Winning Eleven' is the US/Jap name for Europes Pro Evo Soccer... you silly sausage.
hohoho @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:18PM
personally I prefer winning eleven, and it's huge in japan/asia. In europe, pretty any footie game is big. Getting pro-e's is certainly a coup. MS is spending a lot money on these timed exclusivities. I think at the end most ppl might just buy the current generation versions eventhough the 360 is cheaper than ps3, spending that much euro for a bleeding footie game isn't rational. Hell if they add new features on the wii for the motion stuff or ps3...
GunForHire @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:21PM
Muhhghh!
Winning 11 IS Pro Evolution! Argh...
As for #8, nice trying to make it sound like this announcement isn't a big deal for the PS3, but no amount of rose-tinted glasses are going to change the facts.
GunForHire @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:21PM
Oh and I forgot to add, I don't see why NFL exclusivity is much of a problem, because outside the US, nobody gives a rats ass about NFL, and there's a lot more football - sorry, soccer, games sold around the world than NFL games.
Emma @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:23PM
This game sounds like a good idea for people who don't want to actually go outside and play real soccer. The trick is to make the most graphically accurate game to impress said players.
Z @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:30PM
I too love Winning Eleven. Now, we don't know if this affects Japan and Winning Eleven, as they don't have PES outside of Europe.
Also, the NFL exclusivity isn't the problem, it's the company they gave them to (EA).
Alkaiser @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:33PM
My fault. That just shows how much Pro Evo I get to play here...with your silly PAL standards and all. :)
But I do take the article to mean that Pro Evo is exclusive (i.e. Microsoft only has exclusivity on the European version.) and Winning 11 is still going to be multiplatform.
I honestly just don't see Konami saying, "Hey, we're selling millions of copies of this series to folks in Japan on the PS2...ah well, we'll go over to a system where our install base here is under 100,000."
Subnet6 @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:34PM
"Basically, what MS has secured is European exclusivity for an obsolete port."
While this may be true, the mass market gamer won't know its a port, or that the exclusivity arrangement is only for a year.
They will go into a store and see the games available for the xbox and NOT for the PS3 for a full year. The first year of the PS3's life no less.
Spin this as hard as you want and its still very bad for PS3 in Europe. Obviously this is not a console killing move in and of itself but "death by a 1000 cuts" has to start with that first little slice and this news adds a new wound to the PS3 for sure.
DSK @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:35PM
lol, "headbutts" a dig at old ZZ?
ill trooper @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:35PM
"Essentially our software engineers are writing human decision-making
code."
Remember, of course, that no HAL 9000 series computer
has ever scored from a set piece.
This is pretty major, as those are the two premiere Soccer games... I guess Sony will REALLY have to focus on that backward-compatiblity for these games.
Hmmm... One year exclusive - does this mean that by the time you can buy FIFA 07 for the PS3, EA will be shutting down the servers?
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/06/no-more-online-gaming-for-you-says-ea/
[-Z-] @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:44PM
This is huge, really huge. WOW Fifa and Pro evo at the same times... WOW, great job to Microsoft.
13th Duke of Wybourne @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:49PM
"Essentially our software engineers are writing human decision-making code."
That would be AI then. Wanker.
Darth Pixel @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:49PM
I agree. This is huge news. I can't believe they pulled this off.
I can't believe Sony let it happen either.
Although it's only a 12-month exclusivity window.
Boyatsea @ Sep 16th 2006 6:02PM
I think some people are getting confused. Both FIFA and Pro Evo will feature on the PS2 - all this means is that EA and Konami aren't developing the latest editions (FIFA 07 and Pro Evo 6) for either the PS3 or Wii this time around.
It's not really an 'Xbox 360' exclusive of any sort, nor is it down to any bullying on Microsoft's part - it's just a decision taken by both EA and Konami. They, probably, didn't have time to do the new formats justice. As it is, the Xbox 360 version of FIFA has been delayed itself, and won't hit the shelves at the same time as the Xbox or PS2 versions.
artist-illustrator @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:52PM
Shit! :n(
that news blows!
Pro Evo is the footy game of choice over here in the UK and it plays just great with the PS joypad, but the XBox pad! :n(
stupid bloody misrosoft! can't we all just share?
Borat @ Aug 23rd 2006 2:05PM
@ artist-illustrator,
The Xbox pad doesn't work as well for Pro Evo as the PS2 pad does, but that's mostly because of the annoying placement of the black and white buttons. Those buttons have been moved to the top in the 360 pad so the 360 version will work as good as the PS2 version, if not better.
This is extremely HUGE news. FIFA and Pro Evo are both top selling games in Europe, and Pro Evo is huge in Japan. I was not sure of getting a 360 yet, but now I definitely must.
clee @ Aug 23rd 2006 2:27PM
To those thinking that Konami will still make a 'Winning Eleven' for the PS3, I highly doubt that that would happen.
What this exclusivity deal means is that Konami don't have to bother with making a port to the PS3 for their Pro Evolution Soccer 6. Now, Winning eleven is just the japanese title for Pro Evo Soccer. There is no way Konami would have signed this exclusivity deal and still make a port for the PS3. Doesn't make any business sense.
Oh, and to those who say no big deal because the next game will be true gen and it will come out for the PS3. Yes it will, but don't count on PES coming out for PS3 the day after the exclusivity expires. PES is not an annual game like FIFA is for EA. They take their time, and usually take 1 1/2 to 2 years for the next installment. So don't expect Pro Evo Soccer 7 on the PS3 next year.
Alkaiser @ Aug 23rd 2006 2:27PM
Here's a Konami press release I just got, that basically says what I figured, this is a European only exclusivity:
"Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 will launch for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PSP system, Nintendo DS and PC in January 2007. For more information, please visit www.konami.com/gs"
Cage @ Aug 23rd 2006 2:27PM
http://info.ea.com/
EA says nothing about the PS3.
Designerbradr @ Aug 23rd 2006 2:31PM
I have to congratulate MS on this coup, but at the same time it makes me sick to think that MS (with its deep pockets) went out and bought the exclusive rights.
I mean, I don't know. Maybe I'm being too harsh. Maybe this goes on behind closed doors all the time. But I was under the impression that software developers made that choice based on their own financial decisions, not those of their hardware providers.
In other words, if a game is seen as more commercially successful as a cross-platform title, then the developers sell it and shop it that way. And if a game is seen more as a niche or demographic-specific game (or resources are limited), then developers may choose one system – hence the genesis of the exclusive.
I won't kid myself here. I'm sure the big three all have their ways of sweetening deals to get exclusives. But just buying outright? Doesn't that seem a little too earnest to say the least?
KingOfGods @ Aug 23rd 2006 3:07PM
@Designerbradr
What, you don't think Sony paid to have the GTA series as a timed exclusive on the PS2....You forget that Sony MS and Nintendo are in this game to make money.
Canadian Geese @ Aug 23rd 2006 3:13PM
Sony bought the rights to many exclusives with the PS2. For any Sony fan to whine about this move by MS is just hypocritical.
Fagaymer @ Aug 23rd 2006 3:20PM
As long as they make it for the PS2, then it will work on PS3. The Xbox version is just a port of that anyways. Besides, I don't like Soccer at all and could care less if they ever make that game in the first place!
James Spiers @ Aug 23rd 2006 3:58PM
This is a de facto exclusive for MSFT and nothing more - PS3 will be nigh-on impossible to buy for the majority of Europeans (you think you're getting a 1/3 of those 2m units at launch? think again)until mid '07. The PS2 version will sell 10x as many copies as the 360 version I am sure. A small incentive for fence sitters on the next gen, to be sure, but meaningless by the time Xmas '07 comes round
jpxdude @ Aug 23rd 2006 4:15PM
All of you are missing the point slightly...
the 360 version is only a 'next gen exclusive' for the next year, as mentioned else where, it will still come out on everything else, other than the PS3 and Wii, but the 360 will be the only enchanced 'next gen' version out there. I'd imagine they'd have worked out enough new features, and physics enhancements, as well as integrate within xbox live to make it stand out.
It makes perfect business sense, since this would be a 2nd gen title for the 360, whereas it would be disadvantageous for a decent port of these to either the Wii, or PS3 as a 1st gen title when these systems are still being explored. So this essentially also works in favour of Konami and EA who have over a year to get decent versions of their next offerings on these new platforms.
Kayzai @ Aug 23rd 2006 4:51PM
SHITE!!!! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
I can not believe Sony let this happen!!! Someone needs a SACK for this mess-up
Not being able to play either of the TWO most popular footie titles in Europe (on the PS3) is a disaster!!!
This is worse that sony losing GTA exclusivity.
Sony has just been kicked in the balls.
Well... I thought the 360 WAS shite. but Shite is now relative when compared to PS3.
Time to start saving for a 360 then. Wii is still my first choice.
Ps3 which will cost over $800 in Europe ... HAS JUST BEEN FINISHED!!!
Bob @ Aug 23rd 2006 7:26PM
You know, just because of the subtle Zidane jabs in the entry, I feel the need to post this:
http://www.somethingawful.com/index.php?a=3952
Some of the videogame related ones you should find amusing.
sputnik @ Aug 23rd 2006 7:36PM
http://gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=ret&aid=2352
Pro Evolution Soccer 3 tops a million pre-orders from gamesindustry.biz
This article is from 2003 but it shows that this game is very popular in Europe. This is a huge deal. By itself this news may not be that big of a deal but given the fact that Sony is loosing exclusives and some developers are flat out choosing to skip the platform for another year or two. This is a big deal.
Microsoft is looking to maintain their lead in the US and Europe. That leaves Sony only with Japan as a solid foothold...except for the fact that the Wii will probably completely dessimate the PS3 in Japan (if the Gameboy and PSP battle is any sign).
bob @ Aug 23rd 2006 8:24PM
with the way 360 has been bombing in sales in euro and japan, they definitely need this attention. lets see if it actually pays off
Andr @ Aug 23rd 2006 11:35PM
Woa, Winning 11/PES and Fifa are true killing apps outside EUA. Just look to the ads in some european soccer games, I think Konami used to promote PES during Spanish League Games.
Here in Brazil a lot - and I mean more than 50% - of the PS2 owners bought the console because they wanted to play W11. In every soccer team there´s a videogame player and even Brazil´s National Soccer team used to play W11 when they are expecting/training for a game. If Micro$oft gets this franchise, woa, now they made a smart move... or a golden goal ;)
cheers from Brazil
xaviertooth @ Aug 24th 2006 1:02AM
This news is incomplete, it just put more questions than answers. This writer just re-write it from another source and did not do additional research.
Ludwig Kietzmann @ Aug 24th 2006 6:42AM
Oh, and how is it "incomplete" xaviertooth? What questions are eating away at you and what research do you think could have been done? Perhaps I was wrong in assuming everybody knows what soccer is... ;)
Yeah8a8y @ Aug 25th 2006 3:43PM
Too many people are getting heated up about this. Both EA and Konami don't want to waste resources coding a game for the PS3 because the games are released before the console is...
As we know there is perfect backward functionality on the PS3 from PS2, so there not going to lose out on many customers any way...
Again, any sane fan knows it's the gameplay that counts, not the graphic prettiness...
solomonrex @ Aug 24th 2006 11:35AM
This IS bullying on EA's part. Anyone remember the MS sports titles when the xbox was released? To keep EA developing for the Xbox, MS had to stop making NFL fever, etc.
This is very similar. Until Sony gives up on World Tour Soccer, I doubt that EA is going to release FIFA on ps3. Why not? EA can basically decide who's going to win the "console war" and it looks like they are picking sides.
btw, Madden is the most profitable game in the largest market. Regardless that it isn't played anywhere else, it's the biggest game to decide console superiority. If Madden was exclusive to X360, then Sony's done. There aren't enough Final Fantasy games to keep Sony afloat.
Plaid Ninja @ Aug 24th 2006 3:17PM
Sony deserves this kind of slapping after jacking up the cost of the PS3 with Blu Ray while removing force feedback from the controllers.
mike @ Aug 24th 2006 4:21PM
reading some of these comments made me chuckle, MS have definitely got the grillbot cages rattling
honestly this would be the second coming of god if it had been announced by sony, not just one but both next gen football games on the PS3 for at least 12 months..