Ben-DutkaThe PlayStation brand thrives on exclusives. So retaining the IP rights to fantastic new projects would be a top priority.
But things don't always work out. In speaking at a Develop Conference presentation, as reported by Edge , Sony Computer Entertainment executive producer Pete Smith explained the situation concerning Playdead's critically acclaimed Limbo :
"There are obvious benefits to keeping it, but also to giving it up: you're way more likely to get the deal. Remember, 100 per cent of nothing is nothing. A publisher is much more likely to commit to marketing and merchandising if they own the IP.
Sometimes all we want is protection so [devs] don't make a game, finish it, then go to one of our rivals. We look at IP on a case by case basis. With a bit of common sense, you can find common ground."
But Sony didn't get the rights to Limbo , as the developers ended up signing with Microsoft, which allowed the title to release first on Xbox Live in July 2010. The game didn't hit the PlayStation Network and PC until a year later. If you missed it, be sure to check out our review ; it's easily one of the best downloadable experiences of the generation.
Related Game(s): LIMBO
