Sony UK boss on DLC: 'Nothing is ever exclusive'

Would much rather invest in R&D than stopping people playing certain products.

Sony Computer Entertainment UK managing director Ray Maguire has told VideoGamer.com that "nothing is ever exclusive" in response to questions surrounding exclusive DLC on Microsoft's Xbox 360.

Microsoft has tied up Xbox 360 exclusive downloadable content for some of this year's biggest games, including GTA 4, Fallout 3 and Tomb Raider: Underworld, leading to complaints from some PS3 owners that Sony isn't doing enough for them.

However, speaking to VideoGamer.com at the Games 3.0 conference in London earlier this week, Maguire rejected those complaints, saying he would "much rather that we (Sony) were investing money into making sure that we've got great R&D and we start producing games like LittleBigPlanet rather than paying other people a huge amount of money to stop people playing their product."

Maguire's "nothing is ever exclusive" comment is certain to add fuel to speculation that the high profile GTA 4 DLC that is due for release exclusively on the Xbox 360 will eventually make its way to the PS3.

Back in May, SCEE boss David Reeves told VideoGamer.com in that PS3-owners "probably will see" GTA 4 DLC, and described the deal as "the last shot they (Microsoft) have".

When asked if he had any message for PS3-owners who feel frustrated at the fact that they won't be have access to downloadable content for GTA 4, Fallout 3 and Tomb Raider: Underworld, Maguire replied: "One thing to remember, nothing is ever exclusive. Things get wrapped up for a period of time for a large amount of money and if it's a strategic decision by competition to do that then we have to live with that."

He added: "Obviously, what we have to do is make sure that our business plan is adhered to and we have the amount of money to invest in games rather than investing in stopping other people making games and progressing. So I would much rather that we were investing money into making sure that we've got great R&D and we start producing games like LittleBigPlanet, rather than paying other people a huge amount of money to stop people playing their product."

When we pressed Maguire on the subject, asking him directly if exclusive Xbox 360 DLC might eventually come to the PS3, he dodged the issue, saying: "You have to remember that most third-party publishers of course have a business proposition that covers all platforms. With our own of course it's different because our investment would purely be on our own platforms, and that's the same as any first party. That's a small part of the overall offering nowadays and the days of big exclusives, I think they were over a couple of years ago but they're certainly over now."

Be sure to check the site later this week for VideoGamer.com's interview with Ray Maguire in full.

What do you think? Will Xbox 360 exclusive DLC eventually come to the PS3? Would you prefer Sony to invest in R&D than in exclusive DLC? Let us know in the comments section below.