Talking Point: Why Sony's Right to Retain the Franchises It Funds

Push Square: "Insomniac Games announced its soda-based sandbox excursion Sunset Overdrive to an explosion of goodwill this week. The colourful Xbox One exclusive harks back to the Dreamcast era, boasting oversaturated skylines and some decidedly SEGA gameplay mechanics. Sporting a system that sees your firepower increase as you combo tricks, it looks like a cross between Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Ratchet & Clank, and inFAMOUS – a concoction tantalising enough to make this editor thirst for a taste of its bonkers blend. Sadly, with Microsoft publishing, it’s very unlikely that the game will ever arrive on the PlayStation 4 – but with the veteran Burbank-based studio insisting on brand ownership, that is something that could theoretically change."

[JustPlay4]

Very interesting, I agree with everything said, but who knows

[Mystogan]

What is the benefit of owning your IP if its going to be an exclusive?

Honest question.

They have every right to deny Sony's request to keep the IP. But I want to know what the benefit to that is if its an exclusive anyway.

[OrangePowerz]

You could always change to another publisher for the sequel if you own the IP.

It's not surprising that companies want to have the IP of the game they fund for several reasons. The game could do badly sales wise and you loose a lot of money without gaining anything or the studio could close and there are times where the IP just disappears without anybody owning it for games done by independent studios.

[gameon1985]

you're joking right?