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In a recent interview with The Street site, Sony America co-COO Jack Tretton says that the lack of GTA4 exclusivity isn't a big deal and that it only helped to sell "some units."

Originally Posted by Jack Tretton "Q: So are you saying that not having an exclusive on Grand Theft Auto doesn't hurt you at all? A: No, I don't think it hurts us. No, I really don't." In a piece titled, "Sony's Playing to Win," financially focused site The Street talks with Sony's co-Chief Operating Officer of Sony Computer Entertainment America, Jack Tretton about the PS3's upcoming battle with the Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii. In the piece, Tretton discusses the diminished importance of third-party exclusives in this console cycle, as part of a discussion on Sony's loss or decision (the world may never know) to not have Grand Theft Auto 4 exclusively in 2007. "There's no question that having the Grand Theft Auto franchise helped us a lot and helped us sell some units, but I don't think the battle would be any different with or without Grand Theft Auto. If you look at our first-party library and the franchises that we've brought to market over the course of PlayStation 2, we have a very formidable first-party library of exclusive software that will help define us." "The days of locking up exclusive content from a third party and having that be key to your strategy is really a dangerous road to go down because I think with the cost of development, not many developers can afford to do exclusivity. So, really what defines the uniqueness of a platform from a software standpoint are the offerings that you have from first party." Tretton seems to be pointing at Sony's big library of first-party exclusives, as the source of Sony's future success but right now those first-party launch stables are filled with unproven horses like Resistance: Fall of Man and Warhawk (eventually we'll see PS3 versions of Gran Turismo, Ratchet & Clank and God of War, too). When asked about having a foil to Microsoft's Halo 3, Tretton responds by saying that the library of Sony Computer Entertainment has outsold Halo because Halo "was the one and only title to come out there. So, do we have a title? I don't know." Tretton continues, "I guess I'd have to look at the numbers on Grand Turismo vs. the numbers on Halo. But I can guarantee you that Sony Computer Entertainment's first-party software far and away outsold Microsoft's first-party software."

I personally think that Sony needs all the ground they can get since Microsoft's head start has proven more beneficial more them than many people that it would be. Granted the GTA license isn't as vital for them now that they have God of War, Ratchet and Clank, etc., but having exclusive rights to GTA4 still would have had a great impact on their sales.

well Liberty City Stories hasnt make a huge difference.

But Liberty City Stories isn't a wholly original game; it's only an expansion pack to a 4 year old game. If Rockstar really stepped up with GTA4 and presented that presented a logical evolution of the series, maintained at LEAST 30 fps, and had some incredible graphics, then they will have another HUGE hit on their hands.

GTA hasn't been "exclusive" in years, and Rockstar would be stupid to sign an exclusitivity clause, because they like $$$.

Sure, maybe one of those 6 month exclusive clauses would have helped, but probably not in the long run.

Unless the PS3 version of the game is miles better than the 360, of course its going to hurt them. Cheaper console + exclusive downloadable content = more sales.

You know if Sony had another one of their contracts, they'd be beboping all over the place touting GTA4's exclusivity. But they don't. Instead, they just downplay it despite knowing that millions bought a PS2 specifically for the GTA series.

His statement regarding high development costs making console exclusivity more risky seems fair.

GTA4 being exclusive on ps3, even for 6 months, would have gotten them even more demand for ps3s

Don't believe his propaganda. It definately matters.

It may not have made a big difference, but Sony is acting like they dont need anything to be 1st again...I myself am going to buy a PS3 regardless since I dont like GTA, but still, something like that would have probably helped.

Originally Posted by basketkase543 But Liberty City Stories isn't a wholly original game; it's only an expansion pack to a 4 year old game.

Have you played it? I found it nothing like an expansion pack, the only similarity was the city. Infact, comparing LCS with III is like comparing Madden 06 with 02. It looks and plays the same, but it's totally different.

Originally Posted by Dr Mario Kart His statement regarding high development costs making console exclusivity more risky seems fair.

Ive been saying that for months

And what are you expecting Sony to say? "Geez guys, we don't have exclusivity on a franchise that helped us move millions of systems to the casual gamer, and along with other recent snafus we aren't in as good of a position as we really wish we could be."? Come on now.

Originally Posted by whoknows It may not have made a big difference, but Sony is acting like they dont need anything to be 1st again.

I think this may be the root of the problem. This is just one of many comments this year that shows Sony's total arrogance in regards to how they are essentially guaranteed to become number no matter what. There's been quotes like "people will pay anything to own a ps3" to Sony CEO David Reeves saying "The first 5 million [consumers] are going to buy [the ps3]...even if it didn't have games" (EGM #205).

While nobody expects them to openly lament the loss of GTA4 exclusivity (even if it was for a few months), they still need to be careful with, what looks like they consider to be, their bulletproof vest.

Wasnt it only going to be 360 exclusive for a year... and then released on the PS3?

Originally Posted by basketkase543 In a recent interview with The Street site, Sony America co-COO Jack Tretton says that the lack of GTA4 exclusivity isn't a big deal and that it only helped to sell "some units." I personally think that Sony needs all the ground they can get since Microsoft's head start has proven more beneficial more them than many people that it would be. Granted the GTA license isn't as vital for them now that they have God of War, Ratchet and Clank, etc., but having exclusive rights to GTA4 still would have had a great impact on their sales.

360 hasnt done that great. Maybe if they were somehow able to sell tons of units in japan then there 1 year head start would of been worth it.
But instead it has been just an average year and pathetic in japan. I would of much prefered microsoft to wait and include hddvd inside the 360 and only put there games on it . but that probably wouldnt of mattered in japan either.

Expect the wii to fly off shelfs simply because parents will be buying it due to its price for their kids. in usa and japn

Expect ps3's to fly off the shelfs simply because its the new gen playstation and hardcore gamers will buy them all up . in usa and japan.


As for the GTA being on both systems.
it DOES matter. Im sure im not the only one who knows friends who bought xboxes just to play HALO and HALO 2.


Year 2 for new consoles is what really matters and HALO 3 should be arriving soon enough to help the 360 sell more units.

People are going to be thinking 'Do I want to spend $600 + another $60 for GTA4, or do I want to spend $400 + another $60 for GTA4?'

It's not something you run through your head twice.

I think it honestly does, especially after seeing the hype just after some fake picture of GTA4 popped up today.

Originally Posted by rabbitt People are going to be thinking 'Do I want to spend $600 + another $60 for GTA4, or do I want to spend $400 + another $60 for GTA4?' It's not something you run through your head twice.

exactly

Even if they lose GTAIV they still are by far a more varied console than xbox 360. I have the 360 and while quite a few games are being hailed as outstanding they have been about the same two genres the orginial xbox excelled on. Racing and FPS, the price of the ps3 is steep I agree, but if i already bought the hdtv, the sorround sound and all the expensive cables (which i got really cheap) the PS3 is a given.

It would throw EVERYONE off if Nintendo actually got GTA4 exclusive to them