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[Rolla]

I watched From Bedroom To Billions: PS Revolution which is a brilliant documentary that details a lot of things, especially in the creation of PlayStation as a concept, few will be aware of. But watching that documentary it became clear that from their inception their ethos has always been the following.

"Exclusives Move Hardware"

It's something they state and focus on throughout the documentary. To the point where they didn't just aquire IP but threw in a custom chipset in PS1, specifically for capcom to get SF running at it's best. It's something they cling to and in the documentary refer back to as they go over each generation.

My question is, as we stand on the precipice of a new generation, is this ethos outdated? With the emergence of multiplayer and services does this strategy still hold weight. Our conversation on this board and others suggests the answer isn't as clear cut as it used to be.

 

[Dr.D00p]

100m+ PS4 sales tells its own story.

..they won't change the strategy until the numbers tell them too.

 

[EverydayBeast]

Sony isn’t afraid to put their hopes into developers hands

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

Switch and PS4 kind of prove their point.

But it will be interesting to see how Microsofts strategy works.

 

[Elder Legend]

Sony isn’t afraid to put their hopes into developers hands

Not really sure what this means. But with Microsoft buying out studios left and right also gives them hope.

Grounded from Obsidian is a perfect example of giving a developer complete freedom and creativity. Also, looking forward too see what MachineGames does besides Wolfenstein titles as they have recently mentioned.

You have a racing studio for fucks sake now developing a full on Fable RPG.

Let's not jump to this "Sony gives devs freedoom" bullshit."

 

[MrS]

Obviously it's as relevant today as it was when the idea was conceived. Why do we clown MS? No compelling exclusives! It was absolutely the difference last gen. It will seemingly be the difference at launch of the new consoles too.

 

[Airbus Jr]

If exclusive/ first party game dont matter then why Nintendo is on top right now

I mean...jesus... Switch is killing it ....

 

[Ar¢tos]

I bought a Vita just for Tearaway and I pre-ordered a PS5 because of Demon's Souls, so yeah, exclusives sell consoles.

 

[MrS]

If exclusive/ first party game dont matter then why Nintendo is on top right now

I mean...jesus... Switch is killing it ....

 

[Blood Borne]

Exclusives are becoming even more important than ever.

 

[THEAP99]

Grounded from Obsidian is a perfect example of giving a developer complete freedom and creativity. Also, looking forward too see what MachineGames does besides Wolfenstein titles as they have recently mentioned.

I think Ghost of Tsushima or Death Stranding is a better example of this, as they're more successful with higher standing in the gaming world based on the metrics. Also, I thought people always said that Grounded was in development before the acquisition?

 

[alabtrosMyster]

Not really sure what this means. But with Microsoft buying out studios left and right also gives them hope.

I'm worried they will just make more OK games to fit the GamePass timely release model.

 

[RoboFu]

Of course that’s vital to Sony. Else they would compete 1:1 with MS and that would destroy them.

 

[Radical Dreamer]

I watched From Bedroom To Billions: PS Revolution which is a brilliant documentary that details a lot of things, especially in the creation of PlayStation as a concept, few will be aware of. But watching that documentary it became clear that from their inception their ethos has always been the following.

"Exclusives Move Hardware"

It's something they state and focus on throughout the documentary. To the point where they didn't just aquire IP but threw in a custom chipset in PS1, specifically for capcom to get SF running at it's best. It's something they cling to and in the documentary refer back to as they go over each generation.

My question is, as we stand on the precipice of a new generation, is this ethos outdated? With the emergence of multiplayer and services does this strategy still hold weight. Our conversation on this board and others suggests the answer isn't as clear cut as it used to be.

Maybe a link where we can watch it?

 

[LordCBH]

100 million PS4’s sold, but hard to say whether exclusives were THE deciding factor.
PS3 though had a MASSIVE turn around due in no small part to its exclusive lineup. I think it’s a valid belief for them to hold given the success they’ve had.

 

[Entroyp]

Very interesting times ahead. Good quality exclusives (Nintendo and Sony) vs giving away a lot of free shit to lure consumers.

 

[Warnen]

Think MS learned last gen they need more of them and ones people actually want. Bethesda helps out a lot with that.

Being the best place to play 3rd party stuff isn’t enough.

 

[Unknown?]

I watched From Bedroom To Billions: PS Revolution which is a brilliant documentary that details a lot of things, especially in the creation of PlayStation as a concept, few will be aware of. But watching that documentary it became clear that from their inception their ethos has always been the following.

"Exclusives Move Hardware"

It's something they state and focus on throughout the documentary. To the point where they didn't just aquire IP but threw in a custom chipset in PS1, specifically for capcom to get SF running at it's best. It's something they cling to and in the documentary refer back to as they go over each generation.

My question is, as we stand on the precipice of a new generation, is this ethos outdated? With the emergence of multiplayer and services does this strategy still hold weight. Our conversation on this board and others suggests the answer isn't as clear cut as it used to be.

If it's outdated the Switch wouldn't have done so well out of the gate and it's the main reason why Xbox One is on life support right now. Those NPD numbers are abysmal and this is it's strongest region.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

I'm worried they will just make more OK games to fit the GamePass timely release model.

I never understood this position.

We've had numerous developers say that GamePass grants them more creative freedom.

Why do some gamers interpret this as "They're just going to release garbage for GamePass"?

 

[Warnen]

I never understood this position.

We've had numerous developers say that GamePass grants them more creative freedom.

Why do some gamers interpret this as "They're just going to release garbage for GamePass"?

FUD

gotta do something to down play the value of it.

Never mind the games are still for sale and people would leave the sub if they made bad games...

 

[Kagoshima_Luke]

What's the best way to watch this?

 

[Clear]

When the future amounts to essentially competing "channels" for gaming content them yes, exclusives are absolutely crucial.

 

[mejin]

I'm worried they will just make more OK games to fit the GamePass timely release model.

this is the reality for the last pair of years.

More years of patience till 2022, 2023 to see if they will be better.

 

[sincarra]

As long as Nintendo and Sony keep pumping out high quality exclusives, then I’ll keep buying them. People argue that exclusives don’t sell consoles or aren’t important as they were generations ago, but I think it’s even more important now than ever.

 

[sincarra]

Not really sure what this means. But with Microsoft buying out studios left and right also gives them hope.

Grounded from Obsidian is a perfect example of giving a developer complete freedom and creativity. Also, looking forward too see what MachineGames does besides Wolfenstein titles as they have recently mentioned.

You have a racing studio for fucks sake now developing a full on Fable RPG.

Let's not jump to this "Sony gives devs freedoom" bullshit."

 

[FunkMiller]

The only reason this strange notion that exclusive games don’t matter exists is because Microsoft have failed to produce decent exclusives two generations in a row.

But you really can’t gaslight (for want of a better term) a consumer base of hundreds of millions.

Of course exclusives are important. That’s why Sony and Nintendo beat Microsoft like a fucking drum last gen, and the same is likely to happen this gen as well, until XBox actually gets some exclusives, by which time it’ll probably be too late for them to close the gap.

Utterly fucking ridiculous to drop the ball two generations in a row.

 

[chilichote]

I don't want to live in a world where subscribers get thrown from a service and they swallow it. I want a platform owner to make an effort to deliver good software!

 

[Neko Mimi Mode]

The only reason this strange notion that exclusive games don’t matter exists is because Microsoft have failed to produce decent exclusives two generations in a row.

lol such bullshit

 

[CobraXT]

Steam proved that good prices and ecosystem are far more important than a couple
of exclusives and ps4 outsold the xbox 1 in the first 2 years even tho it didnt have any
big exclusives .. however i am sure xbox will have the best exclusives next gen they
have 23 studio right now and they hired a ton of senior talents in the last few months

 

[FunkMiller]

lol such bullshit

No, no. You’re quite right. Microsoft consistently and regularly brought out exclusive games across the lifetime of the XBox One, which ensured that it competed with the PlayStation 4 throughout the years.

 

[Neko Mimi Mode]

No, no. You’re quite right. Microsoft consistently and regularly brought out exclusive games across the lifetime of the XBox One, which ensured that it competed with the PlayStation 4 throughout the years.

You said it failed to produce decent exclusives across two gens, which is complete BS.

Even if you backtrack and say you were only talking about Xbox One, then there are plenty more examples where you're just fucking wrong.

Want an example?

 

[CS Lurker]

Having exclusives is better than not having them. Now, where it is so much important for a console to success, I'm not so sure. Exclusives didn't save the Wii U from being Nintendo's worst home console in sales. You need a good balance overall. Even without exclusives, I think the Series are a much better offer overall than the One. I'm not into sony's exclusives, so I can see myself purchasing a Series X or S for gamepass alone.

 

[FunkMiller]

You said it failed to produce decent exclusives across two gens, which is complete BS.

Even if you backtrack and say you were only talking about Xbox One, then there are plenty more examples where you're just fucking wrong.

Want an example?

Sorry, I misspoke.

here you go:

“The only reason this strange notion that exclusive games don’t matter exists is because Microsoft have failed to produce decent exclusives that weren’t the same old tired stuff we’ve seen dozens of times before (and then only few and far between) two generations in a row.”

You can’t churn out the same stuff over and over - and then not very often - and expect new gamers to join your platform.

Microsoft have consistently dropped the ball on exclusives for years.

Dont moan at me. Take it up with them.

 

[On Demand]

Exclusive content is important in any industry. Look what’s going on with in the streaming wars.

It’s honestly a pretty dumb question to ask. The kind of question you only see in the gaming industry from self righteous rise up gamers. Holier than thou attitudes “look what so and so is doing Sony should follow” type people.

Sony’s exclusives strategy, and Nintendo, have been working ever since. Clearly by their hardware sales. There’s no reason to expect that to change.

 

[Neko Mimi Mode]

Sorry, I misspoke.

here you go:

“The only reason this strange notion that exclusive games don’t matter exists is because Microsoft have failed to produce decent exclusives that weren’t the same old tired stuff we’ve seen dozens of times before (and then only few and far between) two generations in a row.”

Oh so you haven't played Forza Horizon 4, good to know.

Suppose you haven't played Sunset Overdrive either. Or Gears. Or Sea of Thieves.

As for the two generations thing, I'm going to guess you include the mid-gen refresh of PS4pro and Xbox One X. If you mean 360, then you're being even more fucking stupid.

 

[turtlepowa]

PS Now brought most of them already on pc, but i think we will see more real ports in the future, the full exclusivity will become timed exclusivity at some point. It stil helps to sell consoles but not as much as some fans want it to be. The complete failure of Microsoft and Nintendo + the price advantage helped much more than Knack or Killzone.

 

[v_iHuGi]

130M LT Ps4 tell they are important.

But the most important metric will be Ps5 150M WW thanks to back to back exclusives, Sony will have some monumental years with Ps5, most deals are already locked for the next 5 years or more. Basically no turning back.

i also expect them to make many acquisitions as the gen goes on:

- BluePoint
- Kojima Productions
- Housemarque

Those 3 should be a lock because i see no reason to work outside of PlayStation.

 

[Lloyd22]

Exclusives are important for me, thats why i always chose playstation over xbox, i'm not fan of gaas games that greedy company focus on, just give me high quality single player games.
Bloodborne, The Last Guardian, Uncharted 4 Theifs End, Persona 5 Royal, Horizon Zero Dawn, God Of War, The Last Of Us Part II<<< just give me those kind of games and i will buy and support that console.

 

[OmegaSupreme]

Switch and ps4 murdered Microsoft this past generation. The switch with far inferior hardware. Games matter.

 

[Piku_Ringo]

Oh so you haven't played Forza Horizon 4, good to know.

Suppose you haven't played Sunset Overdrive either. Or Gears. Or Sea of Thieves.

As for the two generations thing, I'm going to guess you include the mid-gen refresh of PS4pro and Xbox One X. If you mean 360, then you're being even more fucking stupid.

The only decent one on that list you mentioned is Forza. The rest can be wet farted

 

[Lloyd22]

You said it failed to produce decent exclusives across two gens, which is complete BS.

Even if you backtrack and say you were only talking about Xbox One, then there are plenty more examples where you're just fucking wrong.

Want an example?

You are right, xbox do have some great exclusives, but they are way far behind playstation exclusives quality.

 

[FunkMiller]

Oh so you haven't played Forza Horizon 4, good to know.

Suppose you haven't played Sunset Overdrive either. Or Gears. Or Sea of Thieves.

As for the two generations thing, I'm going to guess you include the mid-gen refresh of PS4pro and Xbox One X. If you mean 360, then you're being even more fucking stupid.

Next gen and this gen, you silly little boy. I’ve consistently said Xbox wiped the floor with Sony in the 360 gen - mainly due to an excellent exclusive line up.

Childish Xbox fans like you get so incredibly hot under the collar when you’re reminded of Microsoft’s failure with their exclusive strategy over recent years, and start chucking around the insults like toys being thrown out of the pram. Off to the land of ignore you go for being a rude little shit. Do try to grow up a little, eh?

 

[Neko Mimi Mode]

Next gen and this gen, you silly little boy. I’ve consistently said Xbox wiped the floor with Sony in the 360 gen - mainly due to an excellent exclusive line up.

Childish Xbox fans like you get so incredibly hot under the collar when you’re reminded of Microsoft’s failure with their exclusive strategy over recent years, and start chucking around the insults like toys being thrown out of the pram. Off to the land of ignore you go for being a rude little shit. Do try to grow up a little, eh?

You're counting next gen which hasn't even happened yet? Lmao.

Pathetic console war point scoring.

Microsoft have 23 first party studios working on exclusive content for next gen. If The Elder Scrolls 6 (among others), not that you'll get to play it, disappoints - then feel free to make this post again in a few years. Until then you look like a moron.

Childish Sony fans like you can't actually talk about your own damn console and it's plus points, you have to continually dunk on Xbox. It's pathetic.

 

[Rockman33]

If exclusive/ first party game dont matter then why Nintendo is on top right now

I mean...jesus... Switch is killing it ....

No doubt switch is killing it. But playstation and Xbox has pretty much moved to manufacturing their next gen.

 

[Slings and Arrows]

Xbox fanboy here,

Microsoft have dropped the ball on exclusives, coming up to 12 years . They fucking nailed it for more than a decade, then shit their pants around 2009 and 2010 and have never caught back up.

Forza is the only exclusive that Microsoft release that is consistently a top-tier series from a top-tier studio, and that's painfully sad.

 

[Rolla]

Oh so you haven't played Forza Horizon 4, good to know.

Suppose you haven't played Sunset Overdrive either. Or Gears. Or Sea of Thieves.

As for the two generations thing, I'm going to guess you include the mid-gen refresh of PS4pro and Xbox One X. If you mean 360, then you're being even more fucking stupid.

There is a strong argument to be made for Microsofts exclusives but I think it is equally important to innovate and create new ip that expands the audience. Which was a key theme for sony in the documentary. I remember the build up to Halo 2, here in Europe (despite this being Sony land as some call it) the hype was astronomical.

But personally, today Halo feels like it's stuck in the 80's/90's. It's an ip that's giving off that classic Arnold Schwarzenegger movie vibe while the world has moved onto Jason Bourne.

And that's not to disparage Halo. That's an IP that is near and dear to me as a gamer and former 360 owner. It's just looking back over this current generation the last new AAA ip XBOX created was, if my memory serves me correctly, Quantum Break in 2016.

And while I accept that XBOX has gone through several changes and has been buying studios lately. When it comes to AAA exclusives they've largely relied on tried and tested with diminishing returns with each new release. While the competition keeps feeding their audience a bevy of innovation.

 

[Redlancet]

Let's not jump to this "Sony gives devs freedoom" bullshit."

its not bullshit at all,not need to be upset

 

[Elder Legend]

I think Ghost of Tsushima or Death Stranding is a better example of this, as they're more successful with higher standing in the gaming world based on the metrics. Also, I thought people always said that Grounded was in development before the acquisition?

Death Stranding is not really even a game. It's a feature film with a lot of walking and a bunch of actors and an overrated game producer.

Ghost of Tisushma was not really anything new, a AC set in Japan setting that feels very familiar. While a good game, nothing special and I have a 100% in this game. I will never play it again because it started to bore me to death by the end. Oh btw... Dosho! Dosho!

 

[Bryank75]

More important than ever.... even the degree of exclusivity is important.
Full exclusives are the most valuable, the biggest reason to buy hardware when they hit that bar of excellence.... timed exclusives and 'console exclusives' are mostly a waste of time and money.... I'd rather 1 full exclusive than 3 timed or console exclusives.

I also believe PlayStation have taken their eye off the ball with respect to exclusives over the last few years...moves like letting Quantic Dream games, Horizon and others got to PC have muddied the waters and instead of creating interest in people to buy PS5..... it lead many on PC and elsewhere to say 'oh the games will eventually come to other platforms, they are loosening up'....... huge mistake!

They also lost a lot of first parties... like Guerrilla Cambridge and Evolution Studios along with earlier losses such as Zipper and SCE Liverpool.
They also lost Ueda and genDesign...another massive loss IMO and my feeling is that Kojima's next game is probably not a PS exclusive.... another massive mistake.

Ueda, Kojima and the Wipeout series in particular are connected to the identity of PlayStation.

Consider that MLB The Show will also no longer be exclusive soon either.....

Then I see huge holes in their offerings appearing due to Xbox's aggressive moves lately.... both Obsidian and Bethesda are off the table. If Sony had the foresight, they could have bought Zenimax and filled the missing Shooter and RPG genres in their lineup but again they missed the boat... just like Minecraft before that.

It really seems like despite how much gaming has done for Sony, they are unwilling to make any large strategic moves to capitalize and solidify their position into the future.

They still make my favorite (exclusives) games and I know they have things in the works that are exciting but there are so many possibilities and opportunities that they seem unable or unwilling to take advantage of that it is frustrating.

 

[CrysisFreak]

Not really sure what this means. But with Microsoft buying out studios left and right also gives them hope.

Grounded from Obsidian is a perfect example of giving a developer complete freedom and creativity. Also, looking forward too see what MachineGames does besides Wolfenstein titles as they have recently mentioned.

You have a racing studio for fucks sake now developing a full on Fable RPG.

Let's not jump to this "Sony gives devs freedoom" bullshit."

Microsoft is giving its devs freedom because it worked out well for Sony, that's fucking it.
Guerilla wanted open-world action RPG, they were allowed. SP wanted Samurai Simulator, they were allowed. SSM wanted GOW reboot to be a complete departure, they were allowed.
Before that MS forced its devs to shit out their iterative trifecta of Gears Forza Halo and forced the rest to do Kinect shit (rare).