Now that the third-party playing field is supposedly "
level," Microsoft looks to be making a play for the advantage, as
Ubisoft continues to insist that
Splinter Cell Conviction is "a true Microsoft exclusive title." We've heard this
before, of course, but this time it's with more *ahem*
conviction, as an Ubisoft UK Forum Manager declares there are "no plans to have
Splinter Cell Conviction on other [console] platforms." The sentiment
echoes the long drama surrounding
Metal Gear Solid 4's exclusivity, and we have to imagine doubts about
Conviction's exclusivity won't go down quietly, either.
Just as
Metal Gear Solid has been associated with PlayStation (though not always exclusive to Sony platforms), Ubisoft calls
Splinter Cell and Microsoft "historically linked," explaining that
Conviction's exclusivity is based, in part, on "a 'link of heart.'"
Aw, that's sweet -- and so is the check that Microsoft must have cut.
[Via
VideoGamer.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dr. @ Jun 19th 2009 11:06AM
Odd. I certainly remember playing previous Splinter Cell titles on my Sony Games Machine...
waves @ Jun 19th 2009 11:18AM
Indeed. I played one of the Splinter Cell games on my GameCube. But I also remember it was made first and foremost for the XBOX, because it was the only one that could handle the 'advanced lighting effects' at the time.
I'll bet the cube could have handled it as well, but the install base only justified a PS2 port.
Jack Tretton @ Jun 19th 2009 12:03PM
"Ubisoft calls Splinter Cell and Microsoft 'historically linked,' explaining that Conviction's exclusivity is based, in part, on a 'link of heart.'"
This reminds me of an oft-heard refrain from Sony Ponies that MGS "belongs" on PlayStation hardware and no other, and that to play a Final Fantasy game on a non-Sony console would be an abomination.
ohyeahcola @ Jun 19th 2009 1:48PM
if its as bad as double agent who cares
FraGNeM @ Jun 20th 2009 11:45AM
It's made by a different dev. than Double Agent -- it's done by the creators of the original SC and Chaos Theory.
pedasn @ Jun 19th 2009 11:08AM
don't you have a black tagbutton for PC?
i'm glad i can play both with one plattform!!!
WINDOWS VISTA :(
Cosmo @ Jun 19th 2009 11:26AM
Yeah Joystiq, give us a PC tag too please. : )
Shagittarius @ Jun 19th 2009 11:40AM
I third that, I want a PC tag as well.
Storm Eagle @ Jun 19th 2009 11:08AM
Confirmed: Spinter Cell: Defection
NaeemTHM @ Jun 19th 2009 11:12AM
Another site mentioned it was "weird" to see a large third party developer keeping a game exclusive to one platform, but MGS4 has had a TON of sales on the PS3. It is possible for a third party to release a game on one platform and still make bank.
Also, what's the deal with people thinking PC games aren't exclusive to Microsoft? Isn't there a 90% chance you're gaming on a Microsoft platform if you own a PC? Can you play "Games for Windows" video games on another operating system?
I'm not trolling, I actually want to know. I don't actually play PC games since I own a Mac. And yes I'm aware I suck for owning a Mac :-/
Storm Eagle @ Jun 19th 2009 11:20AM
I own a Mac. I'm not typing from one but I own one. They don't suck. It's ok.
Dirty @ Jun 19th 2009 11:26AM
They only suck for games. Also a bit overpriced. My problem is people who are just crazy about anything apple. They are as bad as fanboys here. I had a macbook once, it was nice.
NaeemTHM @ Jun 19th 2009 11:26AM
Oh don't get me wrong Eagle, I love my Mac. It's just that the denizens of the internet tend to hate anything and anyone associated with Apple products for some reason.
I'M A PEOPLE TOO! If you prick me, will I cry like a little beeotch?!
Lunastra78 (PSN: lunastra78) @ Jun 19th 2009 11:31AM
Although MGS4 sold well on PS3, Konami still has financial problem i believe? So it's no wonder that they want to increase sales by putting Rising on 360 too.
And on the subject of Macintosh, wouldn't it be a good idea for Sony and Apple to cooperate? PSP2 fully itunes compatible and some much-needed exclusive games for Mac? Sounds good to me but I'm no economist so i might be wrong.
Storm Eagle @ Jun 19th 2009 11:38AM
I'm absolutely with you on the "sucking for games" argument. And yeah, they are a bit pricey. I'm not an apple fanboy by any stretch. I like my iPhone, my iPod and my Macbook, but only because they're good pieces of technology. They have flaws that I hate and I'll acknowledge them fully. But I will tell you that I absolutely hate Vista with a passion, but almost nothing beats gaming on a Windows-based PC.
MowDownJoe @ Jun 19th 2009 11:51AM
Naeem: Lurk around Engadget for a bit... the Apple fanboys over there are much, much worse than the fanboys over here. I'm sure that's half the reason Apple gets a bad rap: the nutjob worshippers.
...Well, that, and the Apple Tax.
Cosmo @ Jun 19th 2009 11:54AM
I haven't had any issues with Vista since Service Pack 1, haven't installed Service Pack 2 yet however. But yes, Vista when it came out was a slow pain in the ass and I immediately downgraded (or upgraded) to XP when I bought a notebook. But I'm running it happily on my desktop right now.
I'm a die-hard PC fanboy but damn, that Iphone or Ipod Touch look pretty DAMN tempting.
Cosmo @ Jun 19th 2009 11:55AM
I hope that Windows 7 can bring a nice boost to PC gaming, maybe we'll also get announcements for games like Gears of War 2 and Fable 2. : )
waves @ Jun 19th 2009 12:02PM
I've used Macs since I was a kid. I just got a nice Mac Pro as a graphic design workstation. I installed windows 7 on a separate drive and it works very nicely as a game machine. Granted if I only wanted a computer for gaming I would totally get a PC for a lot cheaper.
Mr Khan @ Jun 19th 2009 1:52PM
It's certainly possible to get profit from a single-HD-platform release, its just something that's reserved only for the best franchises, and only when there's a real reason to keep it exclusive
Dave @ Jun 19th 2009 11:12AM
"...and so is the check that Microsoft must have cut."
Joystiq blogger formula:
1. Poke gamers with stick.
2. Watch site traffic ticker.
3. Repeat.
Storm Eagle @ Jun 19th 2009 11:39AM
@Sprinkles I'm astounded by your lack of balls.
atrimus @ Jun 19th 2009 11:45AM
well, there's certainly truth in what they say.
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/just-how-exclusive-is-splinter-cell-conviction/
not really sure what else they could mean by "business arrangement" other than Microsoft paying for some facsimile of exclusivity.
PSN:JACKOFNOTRADES85 @ Jun 19th 2009 11:46AM
@Lion
Ban this fucker Joystiq! What in the hell is wrong with you Chris Grant?!?!
NaeemTHM @ Jun 19th 2009 11:49AM
I think he keeps him around for the lulz Jack. It just wouldn't be Joystiq without Sprinkles masturbating to every Microsoft topic.
Cosmo @ Jun 19th 2009 11:55AM
I'm not an expert on the internet, IP addresses and all that. Sprinkles has gone through more accounts than any of us can remember, how does it keep coming back?
R (XBL: Esoteric Lord) @ Jun 19th 2009 1:16PM
@cosmo:
Either he has a dynamic IP address (changes every time he disconnects and reconnects to the internet, some IPs do this, noteably Verizon), or he is using a proxy.
Havok @ Jun 19th 2009 8:25PM
Who's Sprinkles? Why should I care? I do not see the post you're referring to. Maybe I'm hinting something here.
jrb @ Jun 20th 2009 10:48AM
exclusives, schmexclusives.
seems when sony do it it's fine. users of gaming blogs band about comments like "game x has always been on sony platforms, that's fine!", yet in the same breath berate sony's competitors for doing it.
ultimately it has to be financially viable for the developer to do it, whether that means they get a cash bonus from whomever, or get licensing deals, or development / support / marketing aid.. who cares.
Lunastra78 (PSN: lunastra78) @ Jun 19th 2009 11:13AM
Can't say I'm to sad about this, Double Agent must be the worst port ever for PS3, everyone should get a refund for that shit.
NaeemTHM @ Jun 19th 2009 11:16AM
To be fair that WAS the weakest Splinter Cell game, so it's not like the PS3 got a bad port of a good game.
Storm Eagle @ Jun 19th 2009 11:18AM
Amen to that. That's the only game I didn't finish because it just pissed me off so much. I ended up watching the ending online just so I wouldn't be lost when the next game came out.
Lunastra78 (PSN: lunastra78) @ Jun 19th 2009 11:21AM
Well, i bought it real cheap. But it was so laggy it gave me a headache after 15 mins.
uncle jesse @ Jun 19th 2009 11:18AM
I can't wait for the reviews when we will get to see and hear people flaming about which one is better looking/playing/selling/scoring/reviewed/etc.
j.howlett @ Jun 19th 2009 11:19AM
it might be that i'm on my ps3 browser, but i kept reading 'sexclusivity'
samik @ Jun 19th 2009 11:21AM
Well, doesnt matter - imho the game that PS3 owners really want is Mass Effect (Alan Wake / Crackdown come close for me - hope Alan wake is on PC)
And I wish they would stop trying to compare themselves to Metal Gear and pretending they are in the same class - its a good franchise, but just cant match MGS in story and game-play. MGS has so many memorable moments, so many great bosses (The end, vamp, Psycho mantis to name a few), that awesome ending in MGS3, probably the best ever in gaming (Infamous comes close though), the return to Shadow Moses – cant think of anything in Splinter that can come close.
And strange how everyone brings up sales when it comes to a certain 640p shooter, but nobody mentions how second rate Splinter cell and Forza are when its comes to sales versus MGS / GT.
Shingo_E_X @ Jun 19th 2009 11:30AM
Sales don't determine how good a game is.
samik @ Jun 19th 2009 11:34AM
Thats just my point - explain that to the guys claiming that Killzone 2 or LBP suck because they sold less than 10 million.
XBL: Burritoclock PSN:Herbie Hat @ Jun 19th 2009 11:40AM
Sells have nothing to do with a games quality or fun factor, but anyway Forza and MGS4 are pretty close in sales, so I don't know what the hell you are even talking about.
After that e3 showing and all the buzz, this splinter cell is going to do damn good and will probably end up selling better than MGS4, however, oddly enough, if it sells more than 4 million copies it will not change into a different game.
Weird I know.
baby sea tuna @ Jun 19th 2009 11:43AM
Killzone 2 was a technically proficient, but completely derivative FPS that honestly didn't deserve to sell 10 million copies anyway. I can't speak for LBP, since I was disappointed by the demo so I didn't actually purchase it.
Cosmo @ Jun 19th 2009 11:49AM
Alan Wake is coming to PC. : )
Lavat @ Jun 19th 2009 12:12PM
Killzone 2 was quite amazing...I am trying to sell it....But I keep getting pulled back in...So pretty...So satisfying and challenging in multiplayer.
Not so sure about Splinter Cell selling in big because it is Splinter Cell but that their is wide enough net on the 360 fan base to pick it up anyway as it will seem interesting enough. I do not know Splinter Cell well though...I never liked having to just skulk around in shadows.
Whoppy @ Jun 19th 2009 11:22AM
I recently bought a 360 due in part to the snazzy offer that amazon.co.uk were having, and also because there are enough 360 exclusives (that interest me) to make it a valid purchase. This is one of the games, so I'm pleased I get to play it. Hopefully some next-gen Syphon Filter will be forthcoming so I get more sneaky fun on my PS3.
Shimrra @ Jun 19th 2009 11:23AM
They have this game as a 360 exclusive but then do some special edition version for PS3. Like MGS 2 from PS2 to Xbox.
Storm Eagle @ Jun 19th 2009 11:26AM
That's what they always do. See: Bioshock, Ninja Gaiden...I'm sure there's others.
Storm Eagle @ Jun 19th 2009 11:28AM
I've always wanted to ask:
How much of a loser do you have to be to refer to yourself as the Lion from The Chronicles of Narnia?
As as for taking "that". It's cool, I've got Uncharted 2. I mean, I have 360 also, but there's other games coming for PS3 so I'm sure they won't miss Sam.
Kattleox @ Jun 19th 2009 11:38AM
Okay I will take it.
Actually, I'm taking it quite well, and have a sudden urge to play MGS4.
!
baby sea tuna @ Jun 19th 2009 11:39AM
As a 3+ console owner, I seriously hope that the next-gen is a single-console generation. Screw all of this exclusive bullshit and having to buy a new machine for what amounts to a handful of worthwhile games. It ends up costing the publishers, manufacturers, and end-users way too much money and time. Of course, I don't see it happening any time in the near future...unfortunately.
NaeemTHM @ Jun 19th 2009 11:47AM
Dude that can never happen! How will my children experience the glory of fighting over which console is the best?
I remember being on the playground actually trying to convince people that Mario games were better than Sonic games. Guess I won that argument!
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to call some more people from 3rd grade.
NDrew2 @ Jun 19th 2009 11:53AM
A single console generation would be good for no one. The reason why we are getting lots of good games and innovation, as well as price drops.
If there was one console, you'd see higher prices and fewer games.
Just sayin' ;-)