Phil Harrison on why GTA is not exclusive

[big isy]

Via 1up.com.
Harrison gives his :2cents: on why the incredible franchise isn't exclusive to Sony's platform.

"I don't think PS3 has the install base to support Rockstar's investment in GTA IV on its own," said Harrison. Reinventing a sandbox-oriented series on next-generation platforms can't be a cheap endeavor, so while PS3 plays catch-up with Microsoft in terms of userbase, Rockstar must unsurprisingly cover its bases and ensure they're reaching the maximum amount of gamers when GTA4 releases this October.

Note to Mike: Read where he says "I don't think PS3 has the install base to support Rockstar's investment".
No more lying ;)

[Mikewarrior]

Note to Mike: Read where he says "I don't think PS3 has the install base to support Rockstar's investment".
No more lying ;)

That's his reason? He just now figures out that GTA is not exclusive? Does he not know that Peter Moore stated that GTA4 is going to the 360 close to a YEAR ago before the PS3 could even have any sales at all?

This is just more BS by Sony's people to reassure that the PS3 is "THE SYSTEM" for future exclusive games.

PLEASE people... See the truth!

[big isy]

lol, theres just no winning for you is there?

He already commented on Moore's announcement a few days after it was made, I'm not gonna look for it because frankly, you're not that special ;)

And personally I thought that was a very valid and obvious reason as to why the exclusivity of the game was lost. Whereas Moore played the 'heck yeah! we stole your exclusive' card, Harrison tells it like it is, simply put, an exclusive on the PS3 or 360 would hamper the profit margin greatly.

So, Moore looks to be the one BS'ing, but you can't see that right? ;)

[Mikewarrior]

lol, theres just no winning for you is there?

He already commented on Moore's announcement a few days after it was made, I'm not gonna look for it because frankly, you're not that special ;)

And personally I thought that was a very valid and obvious reason as to why the exclusivity of the game was lost. Whereas Moore played the 'heck yeah! we stole your exclusive' card, Harrison tells it like it is, simply put, an exclusive on the PS3 or 360 would hamper the profit margin greatly.

So, Moore looks to be the one BS'ing, but you can't see that right? ;)

Why is Moore Bs'ing when they got the game WAY before the PS3 even launched? Didn't Sony have a time exclusive GTA III & GTA VC... Didn't people at one time think that the PS3 was going to get GTA4 as a time exclusive? = Yes they did. So it's to no suprise that Moore was happy to get GTA4 at the same time as the PS3.

Also, you said - "And personally I thought that was a very valid and obvious reason as to why the exclusivity of the game was lost."

Dude, it being PS3 exclusive was already lost before they could even know PS3 sale numbers... This is more BS by Sony's people, believe what you will... I just don't believe you can't see it for yourself.

[big isy]

Why is Moore Bs'ing when they got the game WAY before the PS3 even launched? Didn't Sony have a time exclusive GTA III & GTA VC... Didn't people at one time thought that the PS3 was going to get GTA4 = Yes they did. So it's to no suprise that Moore was happy to get GTA4 at the same time as the PS3.

Also, you said - "And personally I thought that was a very valid and obvious reason as to why the exclusivity of the game was lost."

Dude, it being PS3 exclusive was already lost before they could even know PS3 sale numbers... This is more BS by Sony's people, believe what you will... I just don't believe you can't see it for yourself.


You're deluding yourself. This just proves it.

How did Moore get the game before the PS3 launched when the game hasn't even released yet?! I'm probably in the minority but I thought it was obvious that GTA would not be an exclusive considering the route the previous titles took and the increasing cost of production.

The only thing Sony could be sure of before the PS3 launch was that they would not catch up to the Xbox 360 in terms of sales by the end of 2006. Hell, nobody had thought they would.

And this statement was taken from GDC so how on Earth could he not know how big their fan base would be?! :lol:

[Mikewarrior]

You're deluding yourself. This just proves it. - Nope.

How did Moore get the game before the PS3 launched when the game hasn't even released yet?! I'm probably in the minority but I thought it was obvious that GTA would not be an exclusive considering the route the previous titles took and the increasing cost of production. - Yes, you just said it (BOLD).. Now why is it what you just said Sooo different than what Harrison said (I thought you said he says it like it is?), think about it please?

The only thing Sony could be sure of before the PS3 launch was that they would not catch up to the Xbox 360 in terms of sales by the end of 2006. Hell, nobody had thought they would. - Who says they will catch up at all?

And this statement was taken from GDC so how on Earth could he not know how big their fan base would be?! :lol: - Does it matter? The game was coming to the 360 way before, so his point is stupid.

...

[big isy]

How did Moore get the game before the PS3 launched when the game hasn't even released yet?! I'm probably in the minority but I thought it was obvious that GTA would not be an exclusive considering the route the previous titles took and the increasing cost of production. - Yes, you just said it (BOLD).. Now why is it what you just said Sooo different than what Harrison said (I thought you said he says it like it is?), think about it please?

. - Who says they will catch up at all?

- Does it matter? The game was coming to the 360 way before, so his point is stupid.

Phil does say it, an exclusive can't be sustained unless the console the game is coming out on is willing to support the dev of that game financially. Phil's quote below outlines what I said about about increasing cost of production. GTAIV would need a substantial amount of titles sold before seeing a profitable return and the best way for them to do that is multi-formatting. If you can't see this then I'm wasting my time.
"I don't think PS3 has the install base to support Rockstar's investment in GTA IV on its own."

See the Rockstar's investment bit? thats referring to the amount of money R* have had to put into the game, I feel I need to spell all this out to you as you clearly find it difficult to understand.

Analysts predict the PS3 will trump the 360 in a given period of time. They differ on the amount of time. I don't take heed to what analyst's predict as they largely state the obvious, and yes, it is obvious that the PS3 will outsell the 360 when all is said and done.

The game is coming to both consoles at the same time, not way before....whatever the heck you mean by that.

[Mikewarrior]

Phil does say it, an exclusive can't be sustained unless the console the game is coming out on is willing to support the dev of that game financially. Phil's quote below outlines what I said about about increasing cost of production. GTAIV would need a substantial amount of titles sold before seeing a profitable return and the best way for them to do that is multi-formatting. If you can't see this then I'm wasting my time.
"I don't think PS3 has the install base to support Rockstar's investment in GTA IV on its own."

See the Rockstar's investment bit? thats referring to the amount of money R* have had to put into the game, I feel I need to spell all this out to you as you clearly find it difficult to understand. = Yes, but he uses PS3's installed base as the excuse of why the 360 is also getting GTA4 at the same time, and it was't even exclusive LAST GEN when the PS2 had 5x more systems sold... So what does installed base have anything to do about GTA going miltiplatform at the same time?
Analysts predict the PS3 will trump the 360 in a given period of time. They differ on the amount of time. I don't take heed to what analyst's predict as they largely state the obvious, and yes, it is obvious that the PS3 will outsell the 360 when all is said and done. - Yeah, they also thought that the Playstation didn't have a chance against SEGA's Saturn & Nintendo's N64.
The game is coming to both consoles at the same time, not way before....whatever the heck you mean by that. = I mean that it was STATED to come to the 360 way before Phil's ignorant statement

...

[big isy]

. = Yes, but he uses PS3's installed base as the excuse of why the 360 is also getting GTA4 at the same time, and it was't even exclusive LAST GEN when the PS2 had 5x more systems sold... So what does installed base have anything to do about GTA going miltiplatform at the same time? - I recall GTA being exclusive for over a year on the pS2, I also remember being pissed at this lol. Point is, they were exclusive for a set period of time juts as most games are. R* realised that in order to make the most money, they'd release the game on PS2 first as an exclusive and rake in the cash, then bring it to the Xbox and makes some more money. That's just not possible this time round as both machines have too small an install base.

Yeah, they also thought that the Playstation didn't have a chance against SEGA's Saturn & Nintendo's N64. Like I said, I don't take heed to what they say, I just figured you might as you read reviews and stuff by writers who know as much about games as you or I.

I mean that it was STATED to come to the 360 way before Phil's ignorant statementignorant? He told the truth. He didn't badmouth anything, nor did he try and weasel his way out like he's done in the past. And obviously it would be stated beforehand, what else was Phil commenting on? lol

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[DeaconBlade]

i'm confused at all of this :lol: what exactly is the thing you two are going back and forth on?

whether Phil is giving the truth? i think he is by the way. i mean it's obvious Rockstar knew that with a year head start, there was no way they'd make an exclusive of the next GTA.

however Moore spun it in an announcement is of no consequence...hey he can announce it all he likes. it's a first for Xbox to have GTA at the same time as presumably Sony will.

[big isy]

I'm actually debating why Mike calls Harrison's statement 'BS'. I think what Phil says is obvious but hey, guess some folks just don't see it.

[Mikewarrior]

i'm confused at all of this :lol: what exactly is the thing you two are going back and forth on?

That Phil is using PS3's user-base NOW as an excuse for when they lost GTA series as a time exclusive a YEAR ago.

[big isy]

They never had a user base when the announcement was made by Moore. How could Phil have commented on it then?! And like I mentioned, even a Sony fanboy would be able to tell you that the PS3 in no way could outsell the 360 within 2006, I expect it it to close the gap this year but I'd be surprised to say the least if it surpasses the 360's mark.

[Mikewarrior]

Phil is a YEAR late and a dollar short for this info.

[big isy]

He had to be in order to know for sure what the install base was going to be.

[Sirharper]

Simple.

The ONLY way to sell a high number of games is to release them on many systems.

By releasing for them at the same time you can maximize the hype (what seems to sell games regardless of how crappy) and consolidate marketing.

Other reasons COULD include payola from MS or conversely lack of payola from Sony to keep it a timed exclusive.

[Mikewarrior]

He had to be in order to know for sure what the install base was going to be.

Why does that matter... It was known before this Phil related news that GTA4 was going to the 360.

This is simple really... The thing is Harrison didn't speak the truth for truth's sake...its called spin...look it up!

And now you know why this Phil related info is coming so late = SPIN, SPIN,SPIN & SPIN!!!

[big isy]

How does what Phil said now help Sony? If only to show that he's telling the truth.
Moore was spinning way before Phil, so much so, he puked a dozen times :lol:

The user base matters because thats where the software companys, R* in this instance, make their money.

[Mikewarrior]

How does what Phil said now help Sony? If only to show that he's telling the truth.


Why didn't you link the whole article... This is it, and it's called SPIN! I'll even RED BOLD the SPIN parts.

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/771/771737p1.html

"GDC 2007: PS3 Not Enough for GTA IV
Phil Harrison offers one reason why new GTA isn't a PS3 exclusive.
by Hilary Goldstein


March 8, 2007 - Speaking at a Sony bloggers' pow wow, Phil Harrison offered a very candid response to concerns that PS3 doesn't have enough third-party exclusives. When asked if it was concerning that a game such as Grand Theft Auto IV was being released simultaneously on PS3 and Xbox 360, Harrison did not appear worried.

He stressed that third-party exclusives would come in good time. The newly-announced PlayStation Edge toolset is expected to help ease development for PS3, particularly for cross-platform titles. Titles using PS Edge could come as early as this fall, because the tools are "simple to implement."

As for losing GTA IV, Harrison said that the PlayStation 3 was not suitable to be the exclusive home of Rockstar's upcoming title. "I don't think PS3 has the install base to support Rockstar's investment in GTA IV on its own," Harrison told the assembled bloggers. The first next-gen Grand Theft Auto game likely cost Rockstar considerable money and development time. That being such, it couldn't have sold enough copies on PS3 alone to make exclusivity worthwhile. In the future, as the number of PS3s in homes grows, it should become easier to nab major exclusives"

[big isy]

The last bit you put in red is entirely correct and true. To warrant an exclusive you need to have the fanbase, once the fanbase is significant enough, the exclusives will roll in, just look at the amount of exclusives the PS2 has as well as the DS.

The first bit I disregard as its someone else commenting on Phil, not Phil speaking himself.
So what if Harrison isn't worried, isn't that a good thing?

[big isy]

And for the record, I posted what Phil said, not what someone else said about Phil ;)

[Mikewarrior]

The last bit you put in red is entirely correct and true. To warrant an exclusive you need to have the fanbase, once the fanbase is significant enough, the exclusives will roll in, just look at the amount of exclusives the PS2 has as well as the DS.

The first bit I disregard as its someone else commenting on Phil, not Phil speaking himself.
So what if Harrison isn't worried, isn't that a good thing?

What he is doing is putting simple to understand but not so good OLD news for Sony into a favorable good news SPIN... If you can't see that, I can't force you to.;)

[Mikewarrior]

And for the record, I posted what Phil said, not what someone else said about Phil ;)

Well, we all know that more was said by what was in the article.

[Souf Centrol]

nice lil debate ya'll have going on here

[big isy]

What he is doing is putting simple to understand but not so good OLD news for Sony into a favorable good news SPIN... If you can't see that, I can't force you to.;)

Again with the spin, you realise there was more spin in Moore's announcement last year than in Harrison's statement a few days ago? All exec's spin, show me a single executive that doesn't.