Why Timed-Exclusives Still Suck

There's a saying about eating your cake and having it too... Timed exclusives are a bad thing to do.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

What's even worse is permanent exclusives. Very anti consumer to keep it off a certain platform. It makes a great buissness for either Sony or MS helps consoles sells immensely however.

I'm calling it now at Sony's February event they'll have a surprise reveal for Destiny 3. Not only that but it'll be EXCLUSIVELY on PS5 Think about it. With in Engine vignette

1.) MS doesn't do 3rd party exclusives anymore (for now anyway) Sony can just walk in there and make a deal. No more activsion either means they could use Sony's funds.
2.) Destiny was a franchise that was instrumental in the success of the PS4. Sony wants emulate that again only twist is they're publishing it and making it only for PS5 with most likely a PC version also.
3.) Its been a little over 2 years since Destiny 2. When PS5 launches, the timing couldn't be more perfect. It'll be 3 years and will launch along side PS5.

Sony leans on 3rd party early on because they've exhausted their first party, so they need a big 3d party Ip to help them out while 1st party are hard at work. Historically Sony usually does this, as I mentioned to help bolster sells. Its dirty buissness but its buissness at the end of the day. Imo that would derail most of MS momentum almost instantly and everyone will be talking about Destiny 3 and PS5. immediate system seller.

[Silly gameAr]

I know you guys are high on Series X right now, but try not to be delusional. Sony exhausted their first party? What? I thought you were one of the some what level headed ones. 3rd party deals are made at the start, middle and end of a gen. It doesn't mean that the first party is exhausted.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

I guess you missed the part where I said temporarily while the big AAA games are being worked on. Sony is very consistent 1st party wise but so it doesn't even matter. I guess everyone doesn't like the idea that Destiny 3 could maybe be a exclusive to PS5. It's possible Sony could have a a big game releasing along side PS5. But Sony needs to counter Halo: Infinite. I'm just speculating here, conjure up discussion. It's not my fault ppl half read what I wrote and immediately freak out.

[CaptainHenry916]

This is stupid comment 🤦‍♂️

[jznrpg]

Well permanent exclusives are called 2nd party . MS really went all out on timed exclusives and made it normal with 360. Just because they failed miserably this last gen and didn’t generate enough revenue To be approved for many of those transactions lately doesn’t mean they won’t do them in the future .

[Veneno]

Exactly. When you're losing its " we don't moneyhat exclusives because it's not friendly to the consumer" then the next day it's " we want the best experience possible on our platform so we moneyhat exclusives".

[sinspirit]

Bungie confirmed a 5-year Destiny 2 commitment. While I think Bungie would be down to work with Sony on another project, I don't think it will happen. My guess would be Bungie working alongside Sony to help guide a new online game for the platform, but not developing any titles for them.

"Sony leans on 3rd party early on because they've exhausted their first party".

Every company leans on 3rd parties. I get it. You never SAID the others don't do it. You just conveniently leave it out while focusing on one. MS has leaned on 3rd parties throughout this whole gen because their first party release schedule was horrid.

"Historically Sony usually does this, as I mentioned to help bolster sells. Its dirty buissness but its buissness at the end of the day. "

Yep, everyone does. I get it. You never *said* the others don't.

"Its dirty buissness but its buissness at the end of the day"

What about buying up a bunch of studios just before next-gen? You don't wanna connect that dot with why they don't have a lot of 3rd party support for next gen? Cause, they just bought the 3rd parties.. They bought a lot at once when their prior history is simply being the console they release their games on. Is what it is. Convenient to complain about Sony doing this just because MS acquired the previously 3rd party support..

"After TLOU2 do you really expect to see anything from them on PS5 next year?"

What does this even mean? So, you think they won't have anything for PS5? You aren't aware they have a ton of huge studios that have unannounced games in the works for years, and several of their major studios are the size of 2-3 studios and are capable of developing multiple AAA titles at once?

" Sony doesn't rush games they take their time. Sony leans on 3rd party temporarily until the their games are ready."

You're right. They do wait till they are ready, and yet we still get consistent release schedules. Since Sony has internally grown a lot of their studios they will have even more consistent releases from each studio, and because of similar system architecture and compatibility there will be a much easier adjustment period. Meaning, PS5 should be seeing a lot of AAA first party games right off the bat. I say *should* because of how long it has been since many of their studios have spoken of what they're working on. Anything can happen. I know that Sony doesn't have the strongest launch year line-ups, but no console manufacturer really does. They all falter on the first year since last gen. But, there are a ton of factors at hand that should make it a much easier adaptation for a new console release this go around.

[jznrpg]

To counter your Sony relies on 3rd party argument, MS doesn’t release much at the end of gen so they have stuff for launch .

[Atom666]

There's been about a dozen articles in the last week praising Xbox's 2020 release schedule. I don't see where you're "countering" OPs point.

If MS is smart, they have a bunch of 3rd party exclusives lined up for the next few years to go along with whatever their 1st party is up to. That would counter his point.

[Traecy]

Not first party exclusives. Any company that makes hardware has every right to have their studios making software solely for the hardware they make. Exclusive software on consoles is a business.

[XabiDaChosenOne]

"Sony leans on 3rd party early on because they've exhausted their first party, so they need a big 3d party Ip to help them out while 1st party are hard at work."
Always a new narrative with you guys lol.

You: "Very anti consumer to keep it off a certain platform."
Also you: "PC ports or games that already exist. Thry're none AAA games like COD, BF, Destiny, The division etc."

So as long as they are not AAA games and it's already on the P.C. It's not anti consumer to keep it off playstation right? Gotcha.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

"keep it off playstation right? Gotcha."

You said that not me. It's like nobody can read on here or somethin.

Those games are on PS and if they aren't now they will be later. Something like SF and Final Fantasy are never hitting the other console. Big difference.

[Christopher]

"I'm calling it now at Sony's February event they'll have a surprise reveal for Destiny 3. Not only that but it'll be EXCLUSIVELY on PS5 Think about it. With in Engine vignette"

I don't think so. That was an Activision-based deal. I don't think Bungie wants those sort of deals moving forward.

"MS doesn't do 3rd party exclusives anymore"

Cuphead, Tunic, Crossfire X, Tell Me Why, etc. Now, perhaps they aren't doing AAA exclusives, but I think that's because they currently have chosen to invest in the new studios. But, I think they'll grab what AAA exclusives they can once they have the current studios established.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Yeah I meant AAA. I'm glad you caught on to what I was talking about I appreciate that. IMO I think MS are very naive to let go of AAA 3rd party exclusives. If Sony has no problem doing it (because it's a buissness they want to make money and sell consoles) then MS should get back into it imo.

[UltraNova]

I would not be surprised if Sony bought Bungie either.

[Christopher]

@UltraNova: Bungie selling to anyone would surprise the heck out of me considering how much they are fighting to be an independent studio as it is. I mean, similar thing was said about Insomniac, but they had a massive history of working with Sony directly on Sony IP. Not even close to the same with Bungie.

[UltraNova]

Chris,

You catch up fast (Insomniac) but I'll raise you - Ninja Theory...

Anything can happen, one or two bad financial quarters is all it takes.

[zodiac909]

Well here it is..the stupidest thing I've read all day if there weren't any exclusives there would be no point of multiple consoles existing.

[MrVux000]

''Its damn pretty obvious I'm talking about the PS5 and not PS4. After TLOU2 do you really expect to see anything from them on PS5 next year? How bout Bend? Sucker Punch? GG is possibly same with Santa Monica.''

Every studio you mentioned has team A and team B, with B being the significantly smaller team. While team A is working on (let's say) TLOU 2, team B is already working on groundworks of another game project. Once Team A is finished with TLOU 2, they proceed to assist team B on their projects. As the project nears its final stages, Team B slowly proceeds working on yet another game project...and cycle goes on and on. Naughty Dog has done that mutliple times.

Also SONY Santa Monica dev stated that for next God Of War game, the development will be shorter and it won't take 5 years like they needed for God Of War (2018), cuz they spent a lot of that time developing the new game engine.

GG allready has their engine improved now, and its quite possible they have been working on 2 projects since Horizon:Zero Dawns ''Frozen Wilds '' which was released back in late 2017, which was 2 years ago,keeping in mind they have likely allready started working on another game during the last stages of Horizon:Zero Dawn itself.

So it is we could say, that in late 2021 we can we can expect games from those two studios...that is without mentioning the secret project SONY has with San Diego studio, that has been circling around the news for quite some time now.

[bluefox755]

Often times games are only possible because of exclusive deals, and exclusives often end being better than anything third party. You call it what you want, but I'll keep exclusives, thank you.

[MADGameR]

You are wrong. Permanent exclusives are PRO consumer to those who consume the products of the provider. SONY is offering exclusive amazing AAA games and the BEST ONES at that. But only to those who consume their product via PlayStation 4/5 etc. If you don't like it, either get a PS5 or you will miss out. Having exclusive content is EXTREMELY important to the game industry AND competition. If SONY were to put their exclusive games to other platform, well noone would want to buy their console anymore. Their CONSOLE would be DEVALUED! That is something all you PC and X Box crybabies have to understand. That's like you having a beautiful wife who is for you. If every other guy bangs her, what value is she to you at that point? It will HURT the relationship and therefore, you don't want to be associated with her. Same thing with consoles. Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 1 being a timed exclusive for SONY is the greatest thing they've ever done. I can't WAIT til they make Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2 a 1 year exclusive to the PS5.

[Dragonscale]

Thats quite some rant there angelic lol. Platform exclusives are fine as they give a console an identity and are going nowhere..

[leejohnson222]

Get a grip of reality, you can't buy a big Mac in KFC FFS when will people grow up. Platforms need identity and selling points. This is why Sony always delivers the best quality games, because they own the best 1st party studios. Only children/ fan girls who can't have multiple platforms complain about exclusive titles

[2pacalypsenow]

I love how everyone's go to word now is "anti consumer" any time a company doesn't cater to your choice.

Sony is not here to support your Xbox or Nintendo, Sony should only care about their customers, and if they do this to get people to buy their console over the competitors, then good for them they're making a business move.

Same applies to MS and Nintendo.

[abstractel]

For a developer it's much, much nicer to work on a target platform rather than multiple target platforms. You get better performance. With one year time exclusive they can then focus on maximizing the performance on Xbox.

I'd also be surprised if they didn't include some extra stuff and release that with the Xbox version and have it as DLC for the PS version. Plus they might upgrade it for the next-gen so if you wait you are going to get a better looking experience.

[Ratty]

I feel like timed is worse because often you'll get it a year later on your platform yet you'll pay it the same price as a game that just came out.

And it can't be all that good for business because why should I get a console for a game I know is coming out on my platform eventually?

Maybe I just don't get it

[2pacalypsenow]

Easy fix, buy the console that gets all the exclusives.

[Tross]

Sadly, some people have a difficult time understanding this concept and wonder why they get mocked for port begging.

[Atom666]

I do think some people are mature enough to recognize that it sucks knowing that some people can't enjoy a game we like for one reason or another. While there isn't much we can do about it because we know it's a smart business move, mocking them for it doesn't make any sense to me.

[tehpees3]

And then you have people who cannot afford to buy other systems. Sadly some people have a difficult time understanding that restrictions with finances cause them to own one system.

There is a reason PS3 failed hard out the gate and people sided with 360 instead.

[Silly gameAr]

Well, seems like they're not going anywhere. Either get the console that the game is coming to, or wait for it to come to the console that you own. It's been like this for years. Just another thing that we as gamers have to stomach.

[Battlestar23]

I disagree they don't suck but then i own both the One X and the Pro i only buy exclusives on the X and exclusives and 3rd party on the Pro. So it doesn't really matter to me if a game is timed or not I'll get it for what ever console it's released first.

[galmi]

own both, do the opposite

[Vega75]

I pick it up when it comes out on xbox. I can wait.

[neutralgamer1992]

Not always sometimes without having huge chunk of money upfront a publisher may not fund the game

Nintendo saved Bayonetta
Sony funded FF7 project(each release will be exclusive for a year)

To us gamers its as simple as ms Sony or Nintendo paying to keep the game away from others. But in reality that said publisher may not find the sequel or remake because the risk is too high. So the huge chunk of money they get upfront means they have very little development cost and can keep their cost even lower by only focusing on one platform

Right or wrong its a business

[jznrpg]

Well, when you think of FF7 and a console it isn’t Xbox . So it’s coming to Xbox still just a year later . I’m sure they could have gained total exclusivity if they wanted to

[HighPlayer28]

Wrong type of business though because its anti consumer for gamers. I hate the fact that games that are 3rd party can be timed by Sony or Microsoft its a cancer for gaming imo.

[Shiken]

So you would rather some of those games backed by Sony or Nintendo not exist at all?

[Chevalier]

Games can cost a lot so it's not surprising that they would want money up front to cover those cost. Would you rather games just not get made instead? It's because of these deals that we even got Bayonetta 2 and 3 coming, No More Heroes 3 and FF VII.

[neutralgamer1992]

High

Like I said right or wrong if it wasn't for these deals some of those games won't be funded so we won't get sequels or new entries

[Mithan]

Of course they suck, almost as much as fan boys who defend it. I wish no exclusives existed, and we purchased consoles that differentiated themselves on other features, but that wont happen for a while yet.

[jznrpg]

Both companies do it. I don’t own Xbox consoles anymore so I don’t care if it isn’t going to Xbox . I only care if it doesn’t go to PS (if it’s a game I’m interested in anyways) There is no way to stop it. Most people don’t know who paid for what they just see the game and what console they can play it on. Even if the informed didn’t buy them the uninformed will and it won’t change a damn thing

[BlackTar187]

what is the difference between Differentiating yourself on features or games?

The mental gymnastics of you people is astounding.

[Nacho_Z]

It's business. If you're on the losing side of it too bad but if it's timed just play something else in the meantime it's not a big deal.

[Thundercat77]

The argument is invalid as long as people don't complain when it happens on Xbox.

You cannot highlight this situation when it happens on PlayStation and then remain totally silent when it happens on Xbox. So keep the time exclusives coming and deal with it.

[FGHFGHFGH]

I think these timed exclusive hurt xbox a lot more since it lives off of 3rd party.

[Kiwi66]

Plenty of people complain about it when its xbox as some still complain about Tomb Raider from 2013, where have you been

[Ristul]

Sony owners complained, but I remember the green camp defended the move from ms. Cant have it both ways, either be against it no matter the platform or just accept the business practise.

[crazyCoconuts]

Another discussion that wouldn't need to happen if everyone took an intro level business course

[Fraggle1987]

Exclusive content is how any business works in the world. I dont understand why people can get annoyed at this. Its not Evil, or anti consumer. Its reality, good business sense and makes companies money which in turn allows more of that great content to be produced. Basically in many ways its absolutely necessary.

[HighPlayer28]

Absolutely anti consumer practice especially for multiplat games that gamers are waiting to be released.

[Fraggle1987]

No company is against any consumer. That doesnt make sense. They are a company that is wanting to make money. Why would they want to piss off a part of their market? They very likely will be selling to that market at some point down the road.

Explain how it can possibly be anti consumer?

[InKnight7s]

No, consoles like any other products should has distincitive features or services to beat competition, in consoles games, stability and Power is the variables. While the games is the most important one's. So extra content, time exclusives and third party exclusives and first party exclusives is very healthy practice. Or else the situation would be pathetic as Xbox One literally no identity except the silent Mastercheif shooter and Gears muscular shooter. Nathan, Crash, Cloud, Squall, Snake, Kiro, Kat, Kratos, 2B (TE) and so on defines Playstation and led it to success. While Zelda, Mario, Luigi, Kirby, Pikachu etc defines and lead Nintendo to beat Xbox although they were too late to the party.

In FFVIIR case, it doesn't really matter, FF sales on Xbox were always pathetic compare to Sony's. XV as example the scale is 5:1 for PS. RPG isn't as important for Xbox users, they really like shooters and Westren RPGs like Bathesda or what so ever.

[gamer7804]

Honestly it’s timed exclusive to a certain degree the way some games are patched these days, just look at ffxv. you got a much better game if you got it a year or more later.

[CrimsonWing69]

I just don’t get the point of it. Either commit to full exclusivity or don’t do it at all.

I feel like it diminishes maximum sales potential. Like I remember when I wanted to play Rise of the Tomb Raider and almost bought it on Xbone until i heard it was a timed exclusive. I waited and waited, but eventually lost interest and didn’t pick it up till it was on sale for $20 for PS4. There were just more interesting games that came out after Rise that I just lost interest.

Had the game come out on all platforms at the same time I would’ve paid full price. Hell, if it were only on Xbone I would’ve bought it, but I prefer my library on the PS4 so I waited.

[Furesis]

yeah this has happened to me too. and you make a good point but maybe they don't care so much since they got money from the year of exclusivity time? The most recent one for me was red dead 2 on pc, i just lost interest on the game while waiting. Tho i might grab it at some point when it'll be dirt cheap like under 10 or something just to check it out

[HighPlayer28]

This!!! You would think gamers every where would want this practice to end because the negatives outweigh the positives. Sadly I see gamers will never be mature enough to unite against these deals due to fanboy mentality.

[Chevalier]

In principle what you're saying makes sense, but, games in reality cost significantly more than they did back a couple generations. This isn't PS2 era where GoW only cost a million dollars to make. GoW 3 cost something like 50 million in comparison to make. So 3rd party games with all the risk and rising cost it's not a surprise these deals happen. We wouldn't have got Bayonetta 2 for example or part 3 coming up for both Bayonetta and No More Heroes without Nintendo for example. If the alternative is the games never being made versus exclusivity which would you prefer?

[HighPlayer28]

I agree totally time exclusives need to go its very anti consumer imo to the game industry and its stupid to pay for games that will be multiplat anyway. The only thing time exclusives does is fuel fanboys on all platforms and stop the progress of gaming to be more pro consumer and mature. I get that it helped both Sony and Microsoft but it needs to end.

[VersusDMC]

It does suck. It sucks I can't play Bayonetta 2 or 3 on the PS4, not playing rise of the tomb raider for a year, ace combat 6 and tales of vesperia 360 exclusivity, Resident evil 4/Remake/Zero and viewtifull joe on GameCube, hellblade 2 Xbox complete exclusivity, GTA 4 DLC on Xbox for a year... etc. They all do it. It is what it is. It won't change unless there's only one console.

[Sieg]

Love it when N4G goes full defender mode for Sony. Watch the downvotes on this comment.

Not everyone want to buy another console just for 1-2 games. A lot of people can wait since they got different priorities.

[2pacalypsenow]

OK then let them wait.

[SouljAx360]

They definitely suck. It sucks when great games are 30FPS exclusives.

[Dwarrior]

I know it’s an unpopular opinion, but I hate exclusives. You don’t buy a DVD to play on only Panasonic DVD players.

If I were a game dev, pouring my heart and soul into some game project, I would want that game to be in as many hands as possible to make as much money as possible to make a new game.

[MrVux000]

Time exclusives are one of the worst concepts that currently exist in the industry (among other things like pre-ordering, DLC-s, exclusive content on specific platforms for multiplat games etc etc)

I'd still take a timed exclusive (even if it means waiting for a game a couple of years...i'll play it eventually on my platform of choice) to turning a mutliplat game into a permanent exclusive (Hellblade 2 for example).

This is why most people recommend having a PS4 and PC combo.

[VTKC]

but it sucks less when time exclusive Tomb Raider was on XBOXone right? I bet that was ok.

[UltimateRacer]

Exclusives are what define a console so I don’t have any problem with them and timed exclusives really don’t bother me either, MS started it in the 360 era Sony now dominate the market so naturally they have more firepower for timed exclusives but it really doesn’t bother me.

[jjb1981]

It's a business and that's how you get people to use your platform so that they keep spending on it. It does suck because so many gamers don't get to play games on platforms they don't have. I honestly don't mind 1st party exclusives because they are the studio that produces them but 3rd party exclusives are annoying.

[NeoGamer232]

Any exclusive sucks from a consumer standpoint. Having to buy different devices because of exclusives is reallly, really anti-consumer....

Imagine if you could only watch Disney blu-rays on Panasonic blu-ray players or you could only listen to certain record labels on certain CD players. It just makes zero sense from a consumer standpoint.

The funny thing is this is exactly what console brand fanboys want. To me, there is one gaming community. And that community should be able to play every game that ships.

[Vetalka83]

I love exclusives,specialy playstation exclusives,others i just dont care about.

[imahustla19]

When the 360 did Timed-Exclusives: "Oh what a great time to be a 360 owner. Suck it Sony nerds."
When the PS4 does Time-Exclusives: *Defends this stupid article*
Gotta love the Xbox fanbois.

[sampsonon]

not for me. i own a ps4

[gamer7804]

first party exclusives are fine, but def not a fan of 3rd party exclusives, they are annoying and only line the pockets of the publishers, and sometimes thats debatable given how well it sells.