Sony and Microsoft fight dirty with exclusive DLC for PS3 and Xbox 360
By Mike Ferro
Recently, Microsoft announced an agreement with Eidos to release exclusive downloadable content (DLC) for the xbox 360 version of Tomb Raider Underworld. Also, about a month ago Sony announced, that the PS3 will receive exclusive DLC for the PS3 version of Mirrors Edge. Gamers who are wondering what this trend of platform exclusive DLC means to them may not like the answer to this probing question.
Platform exclusive DLC is a growing trend in the video game industry; some may view it as a very nasty way to nickel and dime consumers. Of course Microsoft is leading the charge with platform exclusive DLC simply because it is supposedly the next best thing to getting a whole exclusive game. Since Microsoft only has two active first party studios, exclusives are extremely important to the company.
Going forward into 2009, neither Microsoft or Sony will be able to get third party exclusives because of the ever increasing cost of development. Studios will not take a check from Microsoft for an exclusive game because they would be cutting their sales potential by almost half. Case in point: Call of Duty 4 sold at least 10 million units and roughly four million of those was on the PS3. So what does platform exclusive DLC translate to the consumer?
Platform exclusive DLC will mean that gamers on the other platforms will miss out on content that might have been planned for that system initially. It is completely different from a studio not making an entire game for a specific platform, because the game and engine have already been built and it is just a simple matter of porting the DLC over to all the other platforms.
Studios will estimate roughly how much it can potentially profit from selling the DLC to the consumers and if a console manufacturer offers a check that is large enough, a decision will be made to prevent the DLC from being ported onto the other platforms. Providing platform specific DLC will ultimately mean that not all consumers will have the same full blown experience the developers originally intended.
Basically, the creators will be sacrificing their creative vision to chase the almighty dollar. However, how much of an impact does platform exclusive DLC have in terms of software and hardware sales?
Lets take a look at an actual case to study the impact of this trend.
The most notable case of this trend was from Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV). Microsoft made an agreement with Take Two to pay $50 million for Xbox 360 exclusive DLC.
Actually, according to Wired the exact details of the agreement stated that Take Two would receive $25 million once the first portion of the DLC hit Xbox live by March 2008 and the second installment of $25 million would be given to the publisher when the second portion of the DLC goes live near the end of this year.
As you can see, March went by with no DLC and it’s nearing the end of the year with no announcement from either Microsoft or Take Two. Microsoft revealed during E3 that the huge investment was made in order to help shift more Xbox 360s. The promise of an exclusive DLC for GTA IV on the Xbox 360 did not help move more units nor did it help shift an un-proportional amount of copies in relation to the PS3.
According to Gamedaily, GTA IV has sold approximately 10 million units thus far and out of the total, the PS3 shifted approximately 4.5 million units. According to Amazon, the PS3 version of GTA IV is still selling decently ranked at 51, with the Xbox 360 version ranked at 85. The point of this comparison is to show that DLC really did not play as much of a factor into the sales of either the hardware or the software.
It looks like the consumers have already made up their minds that platform exclusive DLC really doesn’t mean a thing. If future sales trends continue to prove this, you can bet console manufacturers will stop handing out those generous $50 million checks.
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October 7th, 2008
“Since Microsoft only has two active first party studios, exclusives are extremely important to the company.”
Hey FERRO!!! Why don’t you try researching your shit before posting? There are at least 3 MS Studios;
Lionhead
Rare
Turn 10
October 7th, 2008
Hey Harry,
Always good to see your comments, actually the keyword here is “active.”
Of course I didn’t forget about Turn 10, Forza 2 is one of my favorite racing sim out there. However, no official announcement has been made thus far regarding their next project. (Forza 3 duh!)
October 7th, 2008
Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t the Mirrors Edge content end up being false.
October 7th, 2008
I looked it up. Just like I thought it’s being released on both PS3, 360 & PC on the same release date.
October 7th, 2008
@CAD,
click on the link to my original article regarding Mirrors Edge.
You may be thinking about the initial report Mirrors Edge was a timed PS3 exclusive.
That was indeed false.
The exclusive DLC as far as the media outlet knows it, is true.
October 7th, 2008
Oh Mikey, are you talking out of your ass today. I would also like to add that Microsoft said the content would come out in fall 2008 and the next one in 2009. They came out and said this after they had already announced the release for March. Get your facts straight buddy. Also, If I didn’t make myself clear before about Mirrors Edge, that means no exclusive content for the PS3.
October 7th, 2008
OK I conceed, there is exclusive Downloadable content for the PS3. Wow Sony actually did something for you guys. Well I hope it’s a hit because it would suck if it did not do well. Talk about taking a shot in the dark.
October 7th, 2008
@CAD,
lol, its all good.
What do you think about the point I am trying to make in the story?
Hypothetically speaking, how would you feel if in the future many games that you may be looking forward to had exclusive DLC coming to the “other” platform?
There is also a new trend of having DLC for multiple platforms that are exclusive. Dead Space will have exclusive DLC for PS3 and Xbox 360.
Not a big DLC, but this could be the tip of something bigger.
Would you support such a move? or Would you not care?
October 7th, 2008
DLC really isn’t all tis cracked up to be. You get a few hours on a game you’ve already (hopefully) blown 20 hours into. At that point, unless its an amazing title, do you really want more? The story is pretty much finished anyways at that point.
The only DLC I could think would ever sway me is if for example I wanted to get CoD4 (I own it on pc so its a moot point for me
) and it came with 4 multiplayer maps, then Infinity Ward said ‘no more maps for PS3 ever, only 360, sorry!’ THAT would sway me because of the replayability of MP games as opposed to SP.
October 7th, 2008
Tomb Raider is boring now Mirror’s Edge well that still is unknown yet. DLC content is gonna drive Microsoft to more debt. Microsoft should had use that DLC money for Xbox Live Arcade and make full games like Sony does. I got so much Microsoft Points but there’s nothing worth buying. I’m just hoping we get the GTA IV DLC soon. Until that arrives i will be playing SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, Resistance 2 and LittleBigPlanet.
October 7th, 2008
Hey FERRO!
Where were you when they announced that Forza 3 is definitely in development and it’s going to be 2 discs (similar to GT2)?
October 7th, 2008
I hate this trend of exclusive DLC, and I hope it stops sooner rather than later! It robs the other console owners of having the full experience, although I suppose we all get to play the actual game or do we…
It’s all very well having the Bioshock Challenge rooms, or extra outfits/weapons - that’s fine it doesn’t change the core experience. I also don’t mind new standalone missions/areas being created after release and coming out a year later like GTAIV.
But what I hate is content like TR:U - it’s a full level that takes place straight after the “finale” of the retail game and it’s out a month after the retail release!!! In other words it would have been in development at the same time as the rest of the game - MS come in with their bags of cash for some DLC, and the Producer says “cut off the last level and give them that, it was getting too long anyway!”.
I view this decision as PS3 owners not being able to play the last level of the game - and that is a greedy move from Eidos (who are only where they are today thanks to TR’s success on PlayStation).
It doesn’t even benefit 360 fans as now they’re going to have to pay to finish the game, just so MS can claim bragging rights!
Thank God Sony put most of their money into games like LBP, Resistance 2, Killzone 2, Motorstorm 2, WipeOut HD etc etc. Fresh new and exclusive games are much more valuable to gamers (and the games industry) than ripoff and occasionally lazy added content.
Having said all of that though, given the choice I would have preferred to have the T.R. content on PS3 instead of the M.E. content!!!
Actually, I would have preferred Eidos to just put the last damn level on the disc where it belongs…
Keep DLC for fringe content and experimental concepts, and don’t start making it until you’ve made the game - otherwise it should be on the disc!
October 7th, 2008
So in short. Sony has the upper hand with the PS3. It’s got all the multi-platforms (as has the 360), although the tendancy is now to use PS3 as lead platform and port to 360. It’s also got the lions share of exclusive studios (~35 of them, compared to Microsoft’s 3), so you can expect much more platform exclusive content on PS3.
October 7th, 2008
completely agree with ps3owner. exclusive DLC sucks, whether its for the ps3 or the 360. This Tomb Raider:U really stirs me the wrong way as the TR games are one of my favorite franchises,(day one purchases) as there hardly exist any decent adventure platformers anymore, other than Prince of persia (Uncharted is a shooter..not a platformer).
This is the anti competitive MS bullshit I was talking about that drives me to hate the company. They do things like this to make silly bullet points. When I see Sony do it ( I still don’t like it) I just think…damn..now they are playing MS’s game. Remember. 59.99 games and paying for the internet are MS ideas.
October 7th, 2008
I want to kiss some young men.
October 7th, 2008
I kiss~young men~MS~CAD
October 7th, 2008
I thought this was a really fantastic article. It does seem that Microsoft is trying to lead the charge of exclusive downloadable content. Ie: GTA 4, Fall Out 3, Tomb Raider… I would have to assume that you are right, that this is partly due to only having two (or three) studios. I for one would much rather have a new exclusive game, then extra maps or missions. I would think Microsoft would be better off in investing in new game studios, as opposed to throwing millions out the window. Good exclusive games sell software and move consoles. Not an extra map here and an extra mission there.
October 7th, 2008
I thought this was a really fantastic article. It does seem that Microsoft is trying to lead the charge of exclusive downloadable content. Ie: GTA 4, Fall Out 3, Tomb Raider… I would have to assume that you are right, that this is partly due to only having two (or three) studios. I for one would much rather have a new exclusive game, then extra maps or missions. I would think Microsoft would be better off in investing in new game studios, as opposed to throwing millions out the window. Good exclusive games sell software and move consoles. Not an extra map here and an extra mission there.
October 7th, 2008
I have always wondered about the 360 games price of $59.99. How do they justify the price when it’s the same price as a PS3 game that comes on a more expensive blu ray disc?
Back on topic, DLC sucks unless its more maps on multiplayer. And even then you take a chance whether those maps are even good. Look at COD4, for $10 you get 3 1/2 maps. That half map must have taken them about an hour to make. It really sucks. On actual gameplay, I wouldn’t bother paying for DLC, if I’ve spent $60 on a game, I expect the whole game, I’m not paying more!
October 7th, 2008
@ Mike
Well to be honest I feel that that is cool to have DLC for each system if they are making something exclusive for each like Soul Caliber did wiht Darth Vader and Yoda. But really this is a war isn’t it? I will always be rooting for my team to bring something special to the table. 3rd Party titles are the real bread and butter at the end of the day as they outnumber first party titles big time. So having something special over the compition feels good and it makes you feel good about your console decision. So far I have to say Microsoft is doing the better job as DLC was scored for GTA4 and now Tomb Raider which is a solid title and there is also the ecxlusive tracks and the time release for Rock Bank. Sony on the other hand, I believe this is the first time they have gone out and followed Microsofts path with the DLC for Mirrors Edge. It’s great to know that they did it but to support a title that is not proven yet is not smart.
October 7th, 2008
Wow I didn’t realize that Fallout 3 had Exclusive DLC. That is another one in the bag for Microsoft.
October 7th, 2008
@Wylie.
The manufacturing cost of producing on blu ray isn’t all that much higher than dvd, when they are pressed. Burnable media on the other hand is.
One could make the argument that since 360 games are on dvd, they are more susceptible to piracy, while blu ray is harder to crack, and that why the 360 games are 59.99, however blu rays are the same.
Whatever way you look at it. MS set set a precedent with the new price structure and Sony followed suite.
Developers have been talking about how much more in cost them to make next (this) gen games, and that more than likely the reason for the price structure.
I hear you on the opinion of DLC. I believe it should all be free. Take Epics approach. They released a massive UT3 map pack for the ps3…free of charge, and they have been following that structure for a while now on the PC.
If this is the way MS wants to spend their money, then so be it. I’ll enjoy first party games from more than 3 studios. (approx…20 studios)
October 7th, 2008
@ Mike
Also having two systems with the exact same games and functions makes no sence in the market place. There needs to be a difference between the two. DLC does that. Nintendo has that difference but Microsoft and Sony almost look the same. Therefore DLC is a must for both to have their own idenity including first party titles. I just wish Sony had done something else to claim induviduality but PS3 is becoming a 360 with each update to the system.
October 7th, 2008
If I have to download something for a game, it better be for balance purposes, which relates mostly to RTS (though any genre could need to beef up a stupid AI if it was worse than it was supposed to be).
Even little extras, it should go on the disc. Think of, for instance, a Zelda game. Now, imagine a Zelda game striped to the bones, and any of the extra little minigames, you have to pay a small price to play. Heck, imagine just a few of the fun little things cut out.
DLC, even for little extra things, spells disaster.
Like it or not, a great many gamers don’t have good internet, and a great many of those that do, don’t have their console hooked up to the internet. And plenty of those that have it hooked up to a good connection don’t want to pay more for a game they already got.
Any game that comes with DLC to allow extra features won’t find a place in my collection. The sad thing is, people who don’t like it will still get it, which just sends the wrong signal to the people making these decisions.
Give me a full game or don’t release it. Wii owners are paying $50, and PS3 and 360 owners are paying $60. If you can’t get a game right, delay it or cut the price. I’m not paying $50 for a game that doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles.
October 7th, 2008
@CAD,
I understand you want to root for your “console” but I think the real question is since Sony is starting to play ball, and playing at Microsoft’s game how would you feel if in the future three or four of the games you were really looking forward to had exclusive DLC on the PS3?
I honestly think you would be pissed off.
I don’t think you would be like “Its cool, I like the idea…”
October 7th, 2008
@Martin
Honeltly, I would feel like someone who owns a PS3. If it happens it happens. But given Sony’s attitude of free all the time, If I was a developer I would go Xbox because they pay for the extras. But if it becomes the norm of PS3 gets this and Microsoft gets that then it becomes all fair game. It’s not like you won’t get the core experience of the game.
October 7th, 2008
Hey what do you guys think of Patcher say he believes the Wii HD will come out. Imagine if Nintendo really did that and put out a version of the Wii that would compete with 360 and PS3. It would offically make this a 3-way war.
October 7th, 2008
If Nintendo enters the lead of that PLAYSTATION3 and Xbox 360 have in power it will lose. Because Microsoft doesn’t care wasting money on Xbox 360 and Sony loves high tech advanced technology they love it. Sony or Microsoft can buy Nintendo a bunch of times.
October 7th, 2008
CAD,
Low price + appealing gimmick = high sales. This is why people are buying the Wii. A Wii HD would have no price advantage and the motion controls gimmick will have lost it’s luster by the time they released this product. The original Wii will still own all the casual interest. Nintendo’s chances or repeating this success are so slim it must be terrifying for them. I’m sure they will think of SOME kind of gimmick to keep reeling in the casuals with their next console though. I just have no clue what that gimmick will be.
-Arvis
October 7th, 2008
The Wii will be coming out with a new controller next year called Motion Plus. It’s said to be a huge advance in motion sensitivity. The controller will be able to determine it’s location and orientation in 3D space. Nintendo called it the “waggle” problem. No more cheating in Wii Sports with quick, short moves.
One of the games they have in the next version of Wii Sports that may come with this controller is sword fighting. You can swing and move the sword exactly as if it was a 3D object in your hands.
The best part is, it sounds like it will work with the exisiting Wii, just a controller upgrade.
October 7th, 2008
VR BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I wish anyways
I’m sure the entry point for price would be a tad high tho! 
That or the holodeck and I am sold on the next offering from the big N.
@CAD - You presume fallout3 will be good and worth the DLC!
I don’t really doubt it will be good as you can work it out like this (real formula!)! ::
Oblivion + Guns/Explosives = GOOD!
Even then, oblivion dlc was cool, but kinda meh. I’d already put massive hours into it by the time the DLC came into play. Horse armour was nice tho
I just worry that games creators are going to realize that if you get your gamer to the point of ‘wanting more’ as opposed to ‘ok games finished i’m done’ then they will sell more DLC. If the future is a list of games completed in 10 hours or less, just kill me now
October 7th, 2008
I just dont like how Microsoft is killing the industry, instead of improving it. IT was their idea to charge for online, it was their idea to bribe developers for extra content, and it was their idea to force developers to charge for anything down loadable(geometryWars). Developers are getting the idea that if you want the game in your console, then you are going to have to pay. Before Microsoft stept into the videogames industry, developers would approach Sony or Nintendo and pith in the idea, they would get the green light and everyone was happy. Not anymore, now money is the first thing everyone worries about, that clever next big thing get ignoredbecause companies are not giving the kind of freedom devs need to create masterpieces.
Microsoft does business really shity, it always has, just ask Apple, Xerox, NVIDIA, and now Sony/Nintendo. They want to rule all forms of digital content, they use their “tactics” to buy out competition, because they believe in a monopoly of all things digital They dont see that competition is good, they just want full control of digital content, why do you think they push DLC so much? because they want to patent as much as possible any new form of digital distribution. I respect their business tactics, but I wont support a company who wants full control. Because if that was the case we would all loose.
October 8th, 2008
Microsoft=Bad for consumers period.
Zune fail to beat iPod
Microsoft Windows Vista was a and still is a disaster nightmare.
Xbox 360 destroyed Microsoft in every way especially in the money part losing about 7 billion since 2001.
MSN Search no match for Google or Yahoo.
Windows Mobile is getting fucked by the iPhone.
Microsoft is a failure they got where they are now because there was no competition until now.
October 8th, 2008
Ivan_PSP, have you ever posted anything related to the article above….ever? You seem to just spew out the same garbage day in and day out. You used to annoy me, but now you just bore me.
The only memorable thing you came up with was your idea that lagers are in the Xbox.
October 8th, 2008
http://www.myspace.com/ivan_psp
October 8th, 2008
Jordan suck it and and get a 360 because like the slogan says you can it Only on 360. That is good business no matter how you feel about it. Take your self out of the fanboy and into business and you will understand that two products that are pretty much the same need to have an advantage over the other in order to make sales. If you got a 360 then your not complaining because Microsoft is always doing something for it’s customers and now Sony is finally doing the same. That is what compitition gets you. Sony was never going to give you anythnig extra just like they screwed people with the PS2 and it’s high breakdown rate and Sony did nothing not even an extended warrenty. Anything Sony does for it’s customer is thanks to Microsoft for coming in the business and shaking things up. Everyones gaming experience is becoming better because microsoft became the compitition.
October 8th, 2008
Join me here http://www.myspace.com/ivan_psp i need more MySpace mobsters. Thanks harry sachz for helping me in the Xbox destruction glad to have an idiot like u on the ride lmfao own bitch.
October 8th, 2008
@Jordan.
Awesome post.
@ CAD
I have no problems with MS making Sony up there game as far as central online and HDD in every box (woops MS…dropped the ball on that one) but shaddy business practice is different than the former mentioned.
October 8th, 2008
What exactly is a Myspace Mobster, and what do they do? My guess is that the males in this club send each other pictures of themselves in the shower.
October 9th, 2008
LMAO…Seriously?… this was the best thread ever. Not that it pertained to the above article in anyway, but it’s seriously funny.
October 9th, 2008
Just as retarded as always.