Well yea, of course they paid money but I'm saying that those two other factors also helped things move along. I mean, if it was just money, why not just do it again?
Because MS paid out the ass, and doesn't consider Japan a worthy cause to win for the price. For JRPG's they are content with the ones that come to XB1 by default because of their install base in the world market.
It wasn't just SE, but Bannamu, newly formed at the time Mistwalker and even Cavia at one point.
Heck, I think the reason that the best they could get was TR (and timed, not even fully exclusive) was because that's the only one that bit on the bait. They probably went around and no one wanted to make their games exclusive to the X1, or maybe not for a reasonable price (or one MS was willing to pay). SE being the shortsighted company it is probably thought it a good idea.
Its possible.
I mean, compare the TR deal to something like SFV, which Sony specificially secured exclusive, forever (and even put it on PC at the same time, unlike TR).
Well with that, its because MS only paid with money that its timed. They wanted an exclusive for the holidays, so they went to SE who was already making the game, had it fully funded themselves and said "delay the PC and PS4 versions with this money i am giving you to make our platform more attractive"
With Sony at the helm, they(Sony) are actually developing the game with Capcom, and paying for the game itself atleast partially, and publishing it most likely along with making USF4 themselves. That by default keeps it off of the competitor's platforms. Then there's cross play to think about...