MS hints at decline in third-party PS3 support
Believes the Xbox 360's expanding lead in North America and Europe will give third-party benefits.
Speaking to Kotaku Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg, Director of Product Management for Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE, has suggested the Xbox 360 has now gained such a significant lead over the PlayStation 3 that third-parties will no longer feel they need to support the Sony platform.
"I think what we'll see is, as a result of how 2008 shaped up - the fact that we had our biggest year in history and we're now expanding our lead over the PS3 in a global basis - we went into 2008 with a solid lead over PS3 in North America, but Europe was a much closer race. Now, we're really expanding our lead there," said Greenberg. "We've become, by far, the lead global platform for third parties. I think you'll see us getting some benefits from that."
He added: "Historically, third parties would give us great support and lead developed on our platform, but they would say "In Europe, we have to still support the PS3" but now that that has switched, I think you'll see us get some benefits from that."
While Microsoft isn't announcing its 2009 Xbox 360 line-up just yet, Greenberg noted that the company will most definitely be innovating.
"We absolutely have a lot of innovation, we have new first and third-party games coming out this holiday that we have not announced yet. We'll probably wait until later in the year to talk about those," he explained.
Given Greenberg's earlier comment should we expect some of these third-party titles to appear as Xbox 360 exclusives?
User Comments
Un-bad
1.They haven't made a serious lead over the ps3 in fact if you go by the first 2 years in both console lifes you'll see they are very close.
2. The RROD almost certainly hurt the image of the console
3. There doesn't seem to be any killer Exculsives in 2009 on the xbox
Ok now on to the ps3
1.The online is stable, but no where near the standard of the xbox 360
2. It is price is very counter-productive and there will have to be a price cut this year, probably around june-august(before the november releases)
3. The console is selling way below what sony had expected
4. The game libary varys somewhat, the exculsives are amazing but the 3rd party games are with some exceptions 'average' this is due to neglect more than flaws with the console
and last but not least we are in a recession so no developer in there right mind will back 1 console, in fact it's more likely to have the oposite effect.
All in all, neither are perfect, they have there limits, there problems and elements that set them apart.So when you write bias or unfounded remarks, just remember that your console isn't perfect, it's a console... and that it, pieces of plastic and electronic chips, i know i may get unsavory comments made towards me but i am right. Consoles are entertainment and who cares what the thing playing the game looks like, aslong as u enjoy the game(s).....Thats all that matters!!!
superdynamite
M$ Propaganda is getting old fast.
Michael
Triggerhappytel@ me
This. With rising development costs and a worldwide financial crisis which will probably take a couple of years to shake, why on Earth would publishers/developers cut their potential market down by 17 million-odd?!
What a complete load of bull.
VinTheDean
UT3 and Devil May Cry come to mind real fast. UT3 was release on the PS3 before the Xbox. The Devil May Cry game lead on the PS3 and then ported to the Xbox.
@chris
What Multiplatform recently (in the last six months) released (by a decent developer) game is really any better on the 360 than the PS3? I can see someone's preference to pick up the 360 over the PS3 version if they have both consoles but besides that. And don't bring up lighting
chris
Also the PS3 is not more powerfull than the 360 just look at the games all the Multi games are better on the 360, and after 2 years the PS3 can't use the excuses it needs more time.
All i can say is Good bye PS3 (RIP)
This is from a Saga fan.
CheekyLee
Also, we need to take into account that MS have been offering big incentives to developers to make exclusive content. Plenty of timed exclusives on their way in 2009, too. MS are seemingly content to throw money around in order to solidify their current position, so who knows what they will do next?
ghostdog13
I think that Sony will develop a "PS3 lite", without wi-fi, wirless controler and other things, but with PS2 backeard compatibility to make it cheaper and capture the PS2 owners. If they made a console that cost 250 USD more or less, the will be back in the game.
Daneshi
PS3Owner
The article is complete garbage of course, probably cover spin for the fact Microsoft are yet to announce a single compelling exclusive title in 2009, aside from some expansion packs and DLC for older games!
The PS3 is selling very well, despite being a year behind the 360, and this shows every sign of improving dramatically in 2009 when they enter their 3rd year (the year MS successfully had last year). In these economically troubled time no developer in their right mine will cut out a potential audience of 20 million consumers, it's approx 42% of the next gen market (excluding the Wii)! This guy must be on crack if he thinks devs would voulenteer to that without vast sums of money from MS.
Also 2008 gave several cases where the PS3 was shown as making MORE money for the big studios than the 360, and the install base of multiplatform releases isn't all that disproportionate between the two despite install base gap, even with exclusive content involve e.g Fallout 3 - 36% of sales on PS3, GTA IV - 44% of sales on PS3, Tomb Raider Underworld - 55% of sales on PS3.
Then you need to factor in the costs studios have already invested into learning the PS3's hardware and how to develop for it, they aren't just going to throw that away over night. Also since the decision to do a multiplatform seems a no brainer, the only decision left is which to lead on - more and more devs are finding it far easier to port from the PS3 to the 360, so this trend will likely expand - not because they necessarily favour the PS3, just because it's much easier and cheaper to do so.
You can understand Microsoft's reluctance to admit the death of 3rd party exclusives though, their 1st party game capablility pales into near insignificance when compared to Sony's strong 1st party support. No 3rd party exclusives is very bad news for the 360, which is why they come out with cr@p like this!
This guy his just feeding the 360 fanboys... does any other than 360 fanboys actual believe a word this guy says?
pblive
Steve Aynsley
As for the PS3, it's by far the most powerful console on the market, and if IBM/Sony would release a decent SDK, especially to the public domain, they'd see their sales leap ahead. The PS3's hardware still hasn't been utilised by developers anywhere close to what this machine is capable of. And a better marketing campaign too, I'm seriously surprised Sony haven't tried harder to market this amazing piece of hardware.
me
this is just another week another MS bs news peice what next week all peripheral to cut ps3 out as theres not enough money in there either
some one
Karlius