Exclusives: the console curse

C

Charlie.

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Today's consoles fight for exclusivity over titles, hoping that "ownership" of a title will cause gamers to buy the hardware. Sadly, this is killing their own product. Why? Because gamers like me can't afford to buy all the consoles on the market and don't want to choose between exclusive titles.

A note before I continue: the Wii is unique - it brings something new to the table. This splurge is aimed at Microsoft and Sony.

Here's the deal: I really want to play Mass Effect and some other exclusively XBox 360 titles. A few days ago, I did some investigations into buying the console, a DVI-supporting monitor which would be shared between the console and my PC. (I don't own or want a TV.)

Unfortunately, my investigations revealed a long list of desirable franchises that are exclusive to the PlayStation, such as Metal-Gear-Solid, and some exclusive PlayStation 3 titles that I really want.

The result: I buy nothing. I can't choose between the XBox or the Playstation and I can't afford both. I already have a PC so I'll get to play most non-exclusive titles, anyway.

... or I buy a Wii and get access to Metroid, Zelda, Mario and a whole swathe of other gems without supporting either Sony or Microsoft and their quest to ruin gaming.

Why must manufacturers make their games exclusive to one console?

On another note: why are console games so much more expensive than PC games?

And, yet another: why do manufacturers "nerf" the PC versions (e.g. remove game pad support) when they *do* provide PC ports?
 
I agree, its a shame... I bought myself an Xbox for Halo+GOW+MassEffect mainly. There are some games on ps3 id love to play

My friend now has a PS3, we constantly argue as the xbox vs ps3 war continues, yet in the end, we both get to experience the popular games :)
 
There are far fewer exclusives this console cycle than in previous. So you miss a few exclusives if you go with one over the other, so what? You stick with PC and you get neither, are stuck in upgrade hell and will probably never play a game at it's maximum settings.

Without Exclusive there would be no console industry.

For the answer on pricing and a full discussion here:
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showpost.php?p=1507797&postcount=26
 
The reason console games are more expensive is because the publishes have to pay royalties to the console maker to allow their game to appear on the console maker's console.
 
Qwikslver said:
The reason console games are more expensive is because the publishes have to pay royalties to the console maker to allow their game to appear on the console maker's console.
Click to expand...

Also the games have to be tested and then written to disc. If a bug is found in this two week period, the discs are scrapped and it starts all over again. With PC games you can release, if a problem is found just provide a patch online - lowers production and testing costs substantially.
 
dude go with the ps3, its gonna last many years more than an xbox, its always upgraded with new features eevry few months and its a complete home miltimedia sysytem
 
Thanks ;)

As I said, it's not that console games are inflated, but PC games in South Africa are discounted. (Which still annoys me, why can't they do the same for consoles games?)

This drop in the R/$ isn't going to help any either :(
 
dhez said:
dude go with the ps3, its gonna last many years more than an xbox, its always upgraded with new features eevry few months and its a complete home miltimedia sysytem
Click to expand...
Evidence backing up that statement or are you yet another Sony fanboy? Also bare in mind we are discussing consoles from a gaming aspect, not multimedia.
 
dhez said:
dude go with the ps3, its gonna last many years more than an xbox, its always upgraded with new features eevry few months and its a complete home miltimedia sysytem
Click to expand...
This is what happens when you smoke crack.
 
The consoles always get cheaper, so you can buy one now, whichever has the exclusives you'd prefer to play first, and buy another later.

Console games are overpriced and overseas PC games are now nearly as overpriced. The games seem to be getting ridiculously short too.
 
Probably nothing to do with eggs but probably something to do with consoels and game exclusivity.
 
ZeroSplice said:
Probably nothing to do with eggs but probably something to do with consoels and game exclusivity.
Click to expand...
I meant your posting of that here with no point of view included which in itself is nonsensical. You might want to try join the discussion rather than just posting links if you want to avoid being labeled a troll :rolleyes:
 
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LOL

I've been bested. Good going!

Anyways, i think each console needs it's long running exclusives. Else it would just kill those fanboys.
 
I am thinking that fewer and fewer exclusives are going to come out.

I expect (this just thoughts) that exclusives wil be only be made by the console owners, like MS that owned Bunjie (Halo3) and is now looking at buying Epic (GOW)
They will try and own the creators of the gameor at least try and buy exclusive rights and this is where money talks.

Even the long standing relationship between Sony and Square Enix is now faltering with the new RPG Last Remnant that is scheduled for release for PS3 and Xbox.
Square Enix released their MMORPG for PC and the released some of the earlier Final Fantasy's like 3 for the DS and then followed shortly with Final Fantasy Revenant Wings for the DS. They are still supporting the Sony brand with what I think are previously arranged agreements like Final Fantasy XIII etc.

Fromwhat I can see it has become more and more profitable for games to be made for multiplatform inorder to reap as much profit as possible.
Take a look at Metal Gear Solid 4 - I am still saying that they are now regretting making that a Sony exclusive! the development costs and progit costs are leaning more towards multiplatform releases.
 
You're right, but it's a very complicated market. MS has said they're happy to buy exclusives rather than whole studio's as everyone benefits, and at teh same time they're trying to lower the barrier to entry into 360 development with the likes of XNA and XBLA.

Interesting times is all I say.
 
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