Post by anomaly on Sept 29, 2007 11:25:15 GMT -5
Just when I was thinking of getting a PS3.
emaglive.com/index.php?showtopic=1988
Sony really needs to step up the game. If they lose these two MAJOR exclusives, it could get into a deeper hole than it already is. If there's no updates on this by the time MGS4 comes out, I'll get me a PS3. But if they release some news that MGS4 will come out on the 360, I will say my goodbyes to Sony.
EMagLive.com has received multiple reports over the last few days from sources who wish to remain anonymous that Microsoft is making a largely successful bid for two of the PlayStation 3's most anticipated third-party exclusives: Metal Gear Solid 4 and Final Fantasy Versus XIII.
The reports of Final Fantasy Versus XIII heading to the 360 have been circulating for nearly the last month after it was revealed that at least parts of the White Engine were being ported to Microsoft's console. Speaking to EMagLive we were told by a source close to Microsoft that the Redmond company was in productive discussions with the Japanese developer Square Enix to "at least get [Final Fantasy 13] as a timed multiplatform and at most get the game as a simultaneous release".
We learned that Square Enix was apparently asking for a large monetary compensation for the port, while Microsoft maintained that they did not want to pay for the cost of PlayStation 3 development on the title. Despite the difference of opinion it appears that the two companies are close to reaching an agreement that will bring the blockbuster RPG to the 360.
We contacted Square Enix for comment, but the company maintained that they had no news to announce stating "at this time, there is nothing announced toward a Cross Platform Final Fantasy game, other then Final Fantasy XI and The Last Remnant. This is not to say it will never happen ... decisions to develop additional games for the XBox 360 will ultimately be made by Square Enix and Microsoft."
We set out to get additional sources on the story and while chasing them down learned that Microsoft was also very close to reaching an agreement with Konami regarding Metal Gear Solid 4. Konami apparently also requested significant monetary compensation, but if our sources are to be believed the end result is looking like it will remain the same: Microsoft is close to reaching a deal which will bring MGS4 to the 360.
Konami responded by saying that they "have no information concerning the possible release of Metal Gear Solid 4 on the XBox 360 at this point". But they told us to "keep an eye on our website for updates" regarding any announcements on a 360 version of the anticipated title.
Microsoft declined to comment, saying only that they "just can't divulge any details of any deals we have with business partners" at this time. The representative noted that if there were any truth to the information we had, Microsoft would not be able to comment on business relations with partners, especially those concerning any future titles.
How could Sony lose two of its most pivotal third-party exclusives? Jack Tretton head of Sony Computer Entertainment America revealed earlier this summer that Sony had a strict policy against "buying" exclusives. "We have a very different approach to exclusives than some of our competitors," stated Tretton. "We don't buy exclusivity, we don't fund development. We don't, for lack of a better term, bribe somebody to only do a game on our platform."
Yet many developers find that the costs of developing on Sony's platform can outweigh many of the benefits. Sony's royalty on each disc sold is twice the royalty Microsoft levies on their system. Additionally, each extra month of development that the platform requires can raise the break-even point by as many as 50,000 – 80,000 units on big titles.
Editor's Note: This is the sort of story that most reporters don't enjoy reporting because they cannot explicitly list their sources. That said, every bit of information in this story has been confirmed by at least two sources independently. That doesn't mean we got it all right, it just means we're confident that we did everything we could to ensure as much.
We want to be clear and upfront that we recognize this is still a rumor until we can name sources and allow public scrutiny to take place. We also recognize that because this site is relatively small, and we have decided to use forum software to power it as an design choice, this piece may be viewed as a "hit generator" article. We don't at this time make any money off the site however, and extra hits actually hurt us more than help us. At this point what is important is our reputation, and we hope that our professionalism will shine through in our thoroughness with the parties and comments involved.
The reports of Final Fantasy Versus XIII heading to the 360 have been circulating for nearly the last month after it was revealed that at least parts of the White Engine were being ported to Microsoft's console. Speaking to EMagLive we were told by a source close to Microsoft that the Redmond company was in productive discussions with the Japanese developer Square Enix to "at least get [Final Fantasy 13] as a timed multiplatform and at most get the game as a simultaneous release".
We learned that Square Enix was apparently asking for a large monetary compensation for the port, while Microsoft maintained that they did not want to pay for the cost of PlayStation 3 development on the title. Despite the difference of opinion it appears that the two companies are close to reaching an agreement that will bring the blockbuster RPG to the 360.
We contacted Square Enix for comment, but the company maintained that they had no news to announce stating "at this time, there is nothing announced toward a Cross Platform Final Fantasy game, other then Final Fantasy XI and The Last Remnant. This is not to say it will never happen ... decisions to develop additional games for the XBox 360 will ultimately be made by Square Enix and Microsoft."
We set out to get additional sources on the story and while chasing them down learned that Microsoft was also very close to reaching an agreement with Konami regarding Metal Gear Solid 4. Konami apparently also requested significant monetary compensation, but if our sources are to be believed the end result is looking like it will remain the same: Microsoft is close to reaching a deal which will bring MGS4 to the 360.
Konami responded by saying that they "have no information concerning the possible release of Metal Gear Solid 4 on the XBox 360 at this point". But they told us to "keep an eye on our website for updates" regarding any announcements on a 360 version of the anticipated title.
Microsoft declined to comment, saying only that they "just can't divulge any details of any deals we have with business partners" at this time. The representative noted that if there were any truth to the information we had, Microsoft would not be able to comment on business relations with partners, especially those concerning any future titles.
How could Sony lose two of its most pivotal third-party exclusives? Jack Tretton head of Sony Computer Entertainment America revealed earlier this summer that Sony had a strict policy against "buying" exclusives. "We have a very different approach to exclusives than some of our competitors," stated Tretton. "We don't buy exclusivity, we don't fund development. We don't, for lack of a better term, bribe somebody to only do a game on our platform."
Yet many developers find that the costs of developing on Sony's platform can outweigh many of the benefits. Sony's royalty on each disc sold is twice the royalty Microsoft levies on their system. Additionally, each extra month of development that the platform requires can raise the break-even point by as many as 50,000 – 80,000 units on big titles.
Editor's Note: This is the sort of story that most reporters don't enjoy reporting because they cannot explicitly list their sources. That said, every bit of information in this story has been confirmed by at least two sources independently. That doesn't mean we got it all right, it just means we're confident that we did everything we could to ensure as much.
We want to be clear and upfront that we recognize this is still a rumor until we can name sources and allow public scrutiny to take place. We also recognize that because this site is relatively small, and we have decided to use forum software to power it as an design choice, this piece may be viewed as a "hit generator" article. We don't at this time make any money off the site however, and extra hits actually hurt us more than help us. At this point what is important is our reputation, and we hope that our professionalism will shine through in our thoroughness with the parties and comments involved.
emaglive.com/index.php?showtopic=1988
Sony really needs to step up the game. If they lose these two MAJOR exclusives, it could get into a deeper hole than it already is. If there's no updates on this by the time MGS4 comes out, I'll get me a PS3. But if they release some news that MGS4 will come out on the 360, I will say my goodbyes to Sony.
