Sony UK exec on DLC: 'Nothing is ever exclusive'
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Nov 2nd 2008 at 7:30PM }
This silence was recently broken by Sony UK managing director Ray Maguire, who, in an interview with VideoGamer.com, stated, "nothing is ever exclusive." Maguire explained that while the competition had spent "a large amount of money" to purchase exclusive DLC rights for "a period of time", Sony had chosen to funnel their money into research and development, as well as the production of titles such as LittleBigPlanet.
His statements certainly seem to hint at the possibility of 360-exclusive DLC eventually finding its way onto the PS3 -- though considering the kind of green Microsoft dishes out to secure said DLC, we'd be surprised if it happened anytime soon.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Syn @ Nov 2nd 2008 7:35PM
The Tooth Fairy.
BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Nov 2nd 2008 7:36PM
Final Fantasy XIII sure wasn't exclusive...
ZING!
Seriously, though... I wouldn't be surprised if the "exclusive" DLC did make it onto the other system... eventually.
Ihavepants @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:43PM
You're not meant to ZING! yourself.
BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:49PM
You're right. It was kinda painful.
whookid @ Nov 2nd 2008 7:41PM
Do sony execs ever make more than stupid comments and bad promises to their customers? Instead of talking crap, maybe they should get off their asses and secure some deal's to get DLC on PS3.
lee @ Nov 2nd 2008 7:45PM
i think sony has more sense than paying more than a small country has for digital game content
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:33PM
Yes because it makes so much sense for Sony to allow their competitor to get exclusive rights to certain DLC for one of the most popular gaming series. Sony sure does have alot of sense.
FAT MAN @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:44PM
don't forget to add that the exclusive DLC actually led to higher sells on the xbox 360:)
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:16PM
FAT MAN
are you sure it was the DLC or the higher install base of the 360? you know way more people have a 360 than a PS3.
i have both consoles and i have GTA IV on PS3, and i can say that i stopped playing GTA IV so long ago now, i couldnt care less about the DLC. if i cared that much, i would just buy a 360 copy on eBay. but then again, thats just me personally.
Arnon @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:27PM
And trust me.. if DLC for GTA IV adds 20+ hours of content.. which would probably mean another city, you would care a lot.
DLC does help sell more.. it lets the consumer think that they're getting more than the other version. GTA IV on the 360 sold 3:1 in the US and UK compared to the PS3 dude.
FAT MAN @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:30PM
yeah, because for multiconsole owners it gave them a reason to buy it on there 360 then on there ps3. go back to some of the old threads and see how many people say they were getting it on the 360 because of the exclusive content.
That is main purpose of exclusive DLC after all,
FAT MAN @ Nov 2nd 2008 10:39PM
" - " out my comment.
"Yeah what Aron said!!!!!!"
Negativecool @ Nov 2nd 2008 7:42PM
ZOMGWTFBBQ!!!one!!11!!two!fiftyfive!
MGS4 on 360 CONFIRMED!!
OMGOMG @ Nov 2nd 2008 7:54PM
FFXIII ON 360!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh wait.
Replica23 @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:34PM
FF13 for Bioshock 2 and Mass Effect 2? Alright, here you go. Don't be surprised if Gears of Wars crosses the floor when Microsoft's 3 game publishing deal with Epic expires.
OMGOMG @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:09PM
@Replica23:
Mass Effect and Bioshock were never truly "exclusives", as they were both released on the PC as well as the 360.
I do know what you mean though.
Arnon @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:31PM
Yes Replica.. because Microsoft would be all out of money and there would be NO WAY for them to make another deal because Microsoft hates money and wants Gears of War to succeed on another console.
Rofl.
Replica23 @ Nov 2nd 2008 11:23PM
Obviously my sarcasm and/or point were lost on most or there are just too many sensitive pro-360 users lurking about. My point was, shut up with the "haha, Sony lost this and Sony lost that" and realize both companies are shedding 3rd party exclusives. Microsoft is just willing to spend money to get priority on content (something Sony has done in the past), which may or may not pay off. Why Sony choose to change is explained in the article above. Business-wise it's a lot more sensible to dump money into projects you own, plain and simple?
I honestly don't think many care though.
OTAM @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:53PM
Grand Theft Auto 4 downloads.
Soul Calibur characters.
Nothing is ever exclusive. Period.
Sackolantern PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:57PM
exactly.
mcnichoj @ Nov 2nd 2008 11:40PM
Halo song in GH3 on the 360.
KeenCommander @ Nov 2nd 2008 7:46PM
Nonsense, PC has tons of completely exclusive "DLC" for hundreds of games. Modding FTW!
Meta @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:24PM
How much does a byte weigh?
halongw77 @ Nov 2nd 2008 7:50PM
OK Ray call me when Halo 3 heads over to the PS3. Or Gears of War. Or Gears of War 2. Or...
whookid @ Nov 2nd 2008 7:59PM
Gears of War 3? Gears of War 4? Gears of War 5?
You all know its coming.
Phantom @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:28PM
Gears of War WILL most likely cross over to PS3 , unless MS make ANOTHER deal with epic games .
Superstar90 @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:31PM
Gears of War WILL NOT cross over, Microsoft publishes it and owns the IP.
ExMcCloud @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:33PM
Gears of War will likely never go to the PS3 because Epic doesn't even own the name....BUT they could call it something else and throw it over there.
Markez @ Nov 2nd 2008 10:23PM
Cogs of Battle?
Slaziman @ Nov 3rd 2008 6:38AM
Steel Ingots of Conflict
SKI @ Nov 3rd 2008 7:41AM
Cogs are bad.
Sprockets of Battle FTW!
BBF Epic @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:01PM
I think the DLC will make it to the PS3 at some point down the line, FAR down the line. The thing is, Sony would be stupid to admit that the DLC would be so far away, especially considering GTA will still be shifting consoles this holiday system.
DrunkRaba @ Nov 2nd 2008 10:19PM
Indeed, we are going into more than 6 months after the game's release and we don't even KNOW what the DLC is. Who really cares when it takes this long to come out? I was done and traded GTAIV long long ago.
Waunel @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:03PM
They mean the DLC that don't even exist
sario777 @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:09PM
... cough cough... Mirror's Edge exclusive PS3 DLC ... cough cough ...
FAT MAN @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:48PM
cough..cough.. Nobody cares..cough..cough.. New IP..cough..cough
brickwalker0 @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:53PM
based on the demo and a few reviews from critics, Mirrors Edge is looking pretty nice.
whats so bad about it being a new IP?
FAT MAN @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:59PM
the fact that whole purpose of exclusive DLC is to get a fan base to buy the game on your system, so if the game doesnt have a fan base yet then people will just buy it on there stem of choice. no pull either way seeing as how we dont even know how the game will play.
(i was not dissing Mirrors Egde i played the time trial great game:)
Arnon @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:28PM
Not to mention.. wtf would you add to Mirror's Edge? I mean the game is pretty linear lol.
Sackolantern PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Nov 2nd 2008 10:04PM
Mirrors Edge was epic. Can't wait to pick it up. Nice to see something that is new and creative out there.
Arnon -
Linear in what respect? You know there are multiple paths don't you? DLC can add new missions, sections or gameplay modes. I haven't heard anything of exclusive PS3 content so I can't comment. However, Mirrors Edge looks to be this years Assassins Creed. It will sell well on both platforms because it is original.
We are also seeing EA leading the way in terms of multiplatform development. They are using the PS3 as lead in all of it's MP titles and in doing so (according to them) it improves the build of both versions.
GH:World Tour shows that the PS3 can do some things the 360 can't.
anonim1979 @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:11AM
PS3 is leading platform for EA LOL :)
PR bulshit.
And if Mirros Edge was leading on PS3 - then WHY it has Anty-Aliansing on X360 and none on PS3 - jag-fest.
http://yoda.dip.jp/Game/MirrorsEdge/sMirrorsEdge_08_PS3.png
http://yoda.dip.jp/Game/MirrorsEdge/sMirrorsEdge_08_360_Darken.png
Not to mention screen tar on PS3?
http://forum.beyond3d.com/showpost.php?p=1234537&postcount=1553
tmacairjordan87 @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:07PM
Why is everyone commenting on exclusive games when the article and comments were about exclusive DLC?
Anyway, the thing with DLC is for the most part only the hardcore really care (or even know) about it this generation. They are the people who buy games right away on day 1, so when Microsoft buys exclusive DLC rights for stuff like Fallout 3 (which is also a game for the hardcore) they are going to sell waaaay more than the ps3 version.
What I'm basically trying to say is this guy is full of shit.
The Fatass of Kickassness @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:09PM
"Why is everyone commenting on exclusive games when the article and comments were about exclusive DLC?"
Since when do commenters around here actually read the article?
Markez @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:14PM
Yeah, agreed, at this point they're essentially the ones that seem to be getting hosed on the DLC on a number of fronts, which makes this douche sound like a douche. Especially since the Joystiq write-up seems to say on his behalf that "Oh sure MS wasted money on DLC, but look at us, instead of that more betterer because we did LBP instead." It doesn't have to be an either/or proposition, so douche sounds like a douche.
Also, I'm drooling over the thought of getting Fallout 3, but am resisting until I finish off Fable II. Please don't mention Fallout 3 ever again, and please have them pull those commercials from Sunday football.
Sackolantern PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:49PM
But I think a bigger point of consideration is that even hardcore gamers do not usually buy a game for either consoles based off future exclusive DLC. The attention span of most hardcore gamers isn't much longer than a few weeks or a month from each game.
I think where this Sony guy fails is when he tries to throw a jab in there about putting money into R&D instead of timed exclusivity of DLC. That really shows how Sony has shifted it's focus with the PS3 to be more frugal and try and stop some of the bleeding of money. It also gives the implication that Microsoft is not putting money into first party games and is instead buying and securing 3rd party exclusives.
I agree with his sentiment that no DLC is ever really exclusive and there is no need to pay for it. Look at how Take 2 has dropped the ball on the GTA IV "episodic" content. It's to little to late now to have a big impact. I never buy a game based off future exclusive DLC. I pretty much buy all my games for the PS3 and use the 360 & Wii for exclusives because of the hardware problems I have had with the 360.
I remember when GTA IV dropped and lots of people here on Joystiq cited the exclusive DLC as the reason to get the 360 version. Now because the content has still not arrived that $50 Million investment seems like a huge waste of money. I agree that if you (Sony) has not control on the release of the content there is no point in securing it for a period of time. If that content dropped 3-4 weeks after the games release it would have had an impact but now it seems like a huge waste of money.
I don't have a problem with what this guy is saying and I agree with him but I have a problem with him implying MS (or Sony) isn't capable of securing content and putting money into R&D. The honest answer would have been that "we are being selective in the way we allocate our internal development funds. We don't feel that securing timed exclusive DLC is as viable as investing that money into new projects."
FAT MAN @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:06PM
How is 50 million a waste of money when a million seller game (that Microsoft gets a cut out of every copie sold) sold 20% more copies on your system then on the competition Because of the DLC? So what if Rockstar dropped the ball thats there fault not Microsoft. thats Rockstars fan base that should be mad not Microsoft. Microsoft got what they wanted out of the deal.
Sackolantern PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:26PM
Fat Man
There is now to quantify the effect of the DLC because it is still unreleased. The point is they were going to outsell the PS3 regardless because they had a MUCH larger install base. The DLC is and was a waste. The only way it could be good is when it drops it causes a spike in GTA IV sales. Otherwise, there is no way to say what kind of effect - if at all - it had on sales.
1.4 Million x $60 = 84,000,000 total. I think they would have had higher sales regardless of the DLC and while I can't say how much extra they did or didn't make from these numbers it looks like a wash. It's not as if all $84 Mill goes to MS.
007craft @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:12PM
The thing is People are already forgetting GTA4. Its gonna need to be damn good dlc if its going to sell now. Coming to the ps3 3 years later in 2011 is completely pointless. Might as well call it exclusive.
I think if a gameor dlc is on a system for YEARS before the other system, I consider it exclusive. Otherwise no game is even exclusive. Look at banjo kazooie. That game is coming out for 360 on XBLA in a few weeks. I would hardly use that to make a statement tho that banjo:kazooie was not exclusive to the n64, just because I can play it on a different console 10 years later.
FAT MAN @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:33PM
i don't think its necessarily about DLC content for Microsoft,so i doubt they care when it comes out. its more about which systems sold the most amount of copies and for GTAIV home to be the PS3 the fact that the 360 version outsold the PS3 version is a milestone. even if it need download able content to do it.
Sackolantern PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:02PM
@Fat Man
GTA Iv sold more on the 360 because of the much larger install base and the promise of episodic DLC that is still unreleased.
360 roughly 6 million copies sold
PS3 roughly 4.6 million copies sold
I'm not sure what the respective install bases were at the time of release but I would think Sony did better than expected all things considered. Not to mention MS had to pay $50,000,000.00 for the still unreleased DLC.
@007
Thats a pretty big exaggeration. I don't think were talking about years for this type of DLC - in fact, it's probably more like months. My main point is that securing the DLC is a waste of money if it doesn't come out when the game is still fresh to give a sales boost. When people were still playing GTA IV the DLC should have dropped about 3-4 weeks after the release. Besides, were talking about a massive game in GTA IV and it's not as if the episodic content makes the game a more complete experience. Especially considering how much MS will charge to try and recoup that $50 million.
I would say game like Bioshock or if MGS 4 comes to the 360 it might not apply because the sales wont be there. But, if were talking about DLC that most people wont care about because of better and more new games to play its irrelevant unless it drops soon after the release of the game. Otherwise it just seems as if its a big time waste of money because it will probably have a minimal effect.