Sony: No one gains from console exclusivity

Sony has said that console exclusivity is ultimately unproductive for both console makers and developers.

In a surprisingly frank talk at the IndieCade Festival in Los Angeles, Sony Computer Entertainment America’s VP of publisher and developer relations Adam Boyes accepted that that console exclusivity can drive console sales, but claimed that it does not benefit either party in the long-term.

“Right now exclusives are just a way for [console makers] to brag louder,” said Boyes, as Gamasutra reports. “Nobody gains from exclusivity in perpetuity.”

Boyes compared the console makers to car dealerships, where independent developers act as top-end car mechanics capable of refining the machine’s performance and bringing “real innovation” to the platforms. And long-term exclusivity does not fit in with this model in his view.

“Developers now have the option to deliver on a huge number of platforms,” Boyes added. “We want developers to be successful.”

And this drive to be successful, he said, is what leads almost unavoidably to multiplatform publishing.

Sony has been frequently courting independent developers in recent months to bring fresh content to its PlayStation platforms. At IndieCade, the PS4-maker was exhibiting host of indie titles which are making their way to PS3, PS4 and PS Vita, including Aban Hawkins & the 1001 Spikes, Blacklight Retribution and Contrast (pictured).

Furthermore, Develop has teamed up with SCEE to host a series of developer open days in London, the first of which begin today. Follow Develop on Twitter for live updates and look out for our report later this week.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/s...sivity/0184154