As the third-party exclusive continues to fade away, more and more gamers have access to top-notch titles created by the most talented studios in the industry.
Therefore, Insomniac's new new partnership with EA is to be expected and not to be condemned by PlayStation fans. I think what's most important is to recognize two things about great developers, and I believe this especially pertains to Insomniac: firstly, video games are indeed big business and money talks. Nothing more needs to be said on this subject, besides the obvious fact that releasing a game that has a potential audience of 35 million isn't anywhere near as enticing as targeting an audience of 75 million. Secondly, we shouldn't buy into the common – yet very misguided – theory amongst gamers that developer bosses are little more than money-grubbing executives with zero regard for their loyal fans. For the most part, many of them are gamers themselves and the entire team desires to make the best product possible; they want to impress their current fans while continually catering to potential fans. They love their fans. I promise you.
Insomniac is one such group and over the years, we've all respected guys like Ted Price because he is always forthright and sensible when fielding questions by journalists. The company itself is always voted as one of the best places to work in the industry. They've cemented two excellent franchises this generation – Resistance and Ratchet and Clank – and they've really helped Sony and the PS3. And because both IPs are owned by Sony, new installments in either franchise aren't likely to go anywhere anytime soon, so we needn't concern ourselves with that. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Insomniac makes great games…why exactly are we going to begrudge fellow gamers the chance to indulge in their products? And wouldn't the added income allow Insomniac to push the envelope even further? Would that not benefit them? And looking down the road, considering their comfort with the PS3 and the standard designer belief that the PS3 offers more potential, might we see new exclusives?
Their partnership with EA means they'll produce a big multiplatform game, which we can't wait to hear about. At the same time, as they continue to expand and reach for the skies, they have no interest in abandoning their fans; as indicated by Price's quick disclaimer to appease any PS3-only owners who might (wrongly) feel slighted or betrayed. This is a business that requires constant forward progress and when you've proven yourself fully capable, why not reach the largest audience possible, all the while appreciating the very fans that made them what they are today?
I'm STILL both happy & sad all at the same time about this announcement …
….happy for Insomniac that they'll be able to recoup more funds in order to make more great games
….but sad in the fact that Sony couldn't have bought them outright in order to stay exclusive to the Playstation brand.
I think that they are perhaps too big for Sony to want to take them in house – or perhaps Ted Price and his partners simply prefer independence.
Actually, I still think Sony can buy Insomniac.
Ted Price has said repeatedly he enjoys working with Sony because Sony gives his team the freedom it needs to create its vision, a sentiment I've heard from other first-party studios like Naughty Dog.
Indeed. As much as I would like to see Insomniac making games solely for the PS3 – because they are so damned good at it – I can't deny this is a good move for them. Insomniac has grown on the back of their success, and a partnership with EA is a great thing for them. Partnership means that they remain independent. Independence allows Insomniac to pick and choose their own projects – and decide whether or not to produce their own games exclusively for PS3.
In the end I think this move solidifies Insomniac's future, which is a great thing considering their past history with the PlayStation is clearly indicative that they have a lot more to come.
I don't see what the big deal is – Sony owns Resistance and R&C, it's not like they're going multiplat. When Sony wants to continue those franchises, I'm sure Insomniac will be happy to make them. They've said as much.
If they can grow their company by creating a new multiplat IP, then good for them, and we get a new game out of it too.
It's a business decision, I understand and respect that.
Generally, this kind of thing makes me sick, however over the past few years nothing really surprises me anymore in this industry. After FF13 went multi-platform, and then Bungie ventured out from Microsoft, it kinda desensitizes you to this stuff, you know what I mean? I mean, not that they're really OUR company to begin with, but for three console generations Insomniac has been making games for Sony exclusively, so now it kinda feels like we've lost something that made Playstation so special. Kinda sucks…
…Wow, I can still remember playing Disruptor on PSone. How far they've come!
Last edited by Rings0fUranus on 5/25/2010 5:03:26 PM
Spyro the Dragon 1-3 = Pure Amazingness
Just played the first one again last night
Last edited by laxpro2001 on 5/25/2010 6:22:06 PM
I'll always be a fan of Insomniac Games and I'm looking forward to their new game as well as sequels to R&C and Resistance. My only concern is that their multiplatform games will be gimped by the xbox 360's hardware, especially the limited space on DVD as opposed to Blu-Ray. I have no doubt that their new multiplatform games will be awesome but at the same time I'll wounder if content was cut because of DVD constraints or if the game is the best it can be since they can't use the full capability of the CELL processor and standard HDD.
Well that just ruined my day
I have no problem with this whole thing. Is it kinda sad? Yeah, but with the costs of producing games going up, it's a smart move on Insomniac's part to partner up with EA. They'll keep their independence, and seeing that they know how to program for the PS3 any multiplat games they make won't be limited by 360 (the quality I mean).
It's just the sign of the times.
I HAVE MY OWN OPTION AS WELL
If I decide not to support their multiplatform games that's my choice.
I support quality just like they (now) are supporting money*
Everyone has a choice
I can see many people not liking their multiplat release. I guess they're hoping for more 360 owners buying their new game than there will be PS3 fans not buying their new game.
Man. Insomniac is mutliplat and Yzerman has left the Wings to be GM of the Lightning. Boo.
I know, right? What's next, Batman leaving for Marvel?
its the end of an era
however, i'm excited for what the next era holds. insomniac has never let me down before, i dont suspect theyll start now.
good for them. make more games and make that money.
but let us consider another thing couple os things
this move will encourage other studios to follow the same direction
for example NAUGHTY DOG
the bad thing about it that the company's most efforts and talents will be directed toward multi-platform games where the big money is where and it can leave sony's exclusive titles like resistance and ratchet with no considerable talents
and beside everything else all ps3 exclusive titles have proven to be more rated than most multi-platform games
going multi-platform will result in more pocket money in return but not for sure better quality games
Last edited by ABUrabad on 5/25/2010 6:06:02 PM
The problem is, Naughty Dog is owned by Sony. So they can't exactly leave and go multiplat right now.
really?
thanks
i didn't know that
the studio was acquired by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2001
I'm looking at the positive side to this…….if they make alot more money from sales of a multiplat game then thats more money they can reinvest back into making top notch PS3 exclusives.
It's not like they're abandoning the PS3-user base, and making games exclusively for the 360.
That's a decent move, what I don't like is when a company abandons the user base that helped make them so great in the first place. hint hint Square Enix.
And if the extra income allows them to make more awesome PS3 titles then we all win.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 5/25/2010 6:17:44 PM
Amen, to that!
From what I understand they aren't pulling a b*tch move that SqEnix did and rub it in at E3…that alone makes it cool with me.
Oh well,as long as Sony keeps pumping out quality first-part exclusives thats fine with me. Third-party exclusives are nearly extinct this generation. There is just too much money left on the table.
I think the reason Insomniac has to go multi-plat is part of our fault. I mean compare with Insomniac ps2 games sale and ps3 games. I feel sad for them. Non of Insomniac title sold over 2 millions. I'm sure they will stay exclusive if the sale is like ps2.
People didn't appreciate Resistance 2 enough. Bunch of complainers.
Very true. When come to Shooting sony has trouble pleasing the fans. I guess people only care about CoD games.
I think this is a lot to do with it. If R&C and Resistance games had sold a million copies a piece more, I don't think that this would be even a discussion. How many of those currently gnashing their teeth over this (across the whole fanboy nation) actually bought their games new? I bought all three R&C titles, but the Resistance titles are not my thing. All my games were bought new and are still in my collection. We regularly have discussions here about the impact of game rental and used game sales. I have to wonder whether used games and rentals have an impact on sales that's significant enough to cause independents to seek the comparative shelter of a larger publisher.
Bottom line. If more people supported them by purchasing their games, this wouldn't be an issue at all. If we feel we need to blame someone, we have ourselves to blame.
Last edited by TheHighlander on 5/25/2010 9:36:49 PM
Why is it Insomniac is not getting as much hate as Ninja Theory for going multiplatform?
All will be forgiven if they'll make Heavenly Sword 2.
And what sin did Ninja Theory commit?
Ninja Theory complained about their PS3 exclusive. They even went so far as to insinuate that they fell upon hard times because they chose to go exclusive.
Insomniac is doing no such thing. They are clearly still holding their PS3 exclusives dear while expanding their company to reach a larger audience.
Can't say I'm happy about their decision, but good luck to them. They are being good to Sony and PS3, and I'm sure 360 gamers gonna appreciate them as well.
Does them making this new multiplat IP mean we'll have to wait longer for Resistance 3? Or do they have multiple studios working on multiple titles?
They announced the opening of their new studio in NC along with this news earlier in the year, so they've have been increasing their bandwidth. But changes in business structure, budget, resources and management always adds delays projects. But I don't expect a big one.
Alright, good to know. Thanks for replying.
business sense sure, expected sure. will i actually buy their multi plat releases? prolly not… it will be most likely held back like so many others. ofcourse it will depend on the game, It has bared down on my decision to buy LA Noire for instance, that should be on bluray no question.
Though on the flipside, as a company I do think that Insomniac would be smarter than giving us a big up urs like Rockstar did with the DLC crap for GTA. I'm still refusing to pay the "initial" price for old dlc.
I really hope their multiplat game is a FPS. Otherwise what's the point?
I see what you did there…lol
I'm happy for Insomniac, it gives them the opportunity to expand their fan base and increase sales for their games but at the same time I am greatly saddened.
I remember many years ago when Crash bandicoot and Spyro the dragon were the unofficial Sony PSone mascots, there seemed to be many platform exclusives for the playstation back then.
With all the multi-platform games available and the lines of developer loyalty towards any one console being blurred its very strange days…
I suppose Insomniac is doing the right thing. However, they had better not cripple a game so it fits on a DVD.
If 360 hadn't released their shoddy console a year before PS3 and with cheaper, cruddier parts, and if the marketing had've been better at the launch of the PS3, And if the news articles had've been kinder to Sony for making a powerful yet differently structured console, PS3 would still be on top.
Basically, the reason why so many exclusives have left and gone multiplat is because the console war is at an all time high. Had the PS3 come out earlier or cheaper, sure, we might have a slightly inferior console, maybe something similar to 360, but the PS3 would have been cheaper, on time and on top.
The PS1 sold 102 million worldwide compared to Nintendo 64 which sold 32 million, and Sega Saturn's 10 million. So which console would developers likely feel safer to go exclusive with?
The PS2 has now sold 146 million consoles worldwide, AND IS STILL GOING!!! Compare that to Xbox's 24 million and Gamecube's 21 million console sales. Which console would developers feel safe going exclusive with?
Now, this generation. 35 million PS3's have been sold, next to 360's 40 million (let's not bring up the whole red ring, 2nd and 3rd purchase debate for now), and Wii's 70 million sales mark. As a developer, which console would you prefer to go exclusive with?
And this is why casual developers go with Wii, and hardcore game developers go with multiplat PS3 and 360 titles. They would be cutting half their audience going exclusive with one console, and that is a pretty big risk right there from a financial standing point.
Only those looking to create a masterpiece on a console of choice, i.e. the most powerful console on the market that can handle their dream game, will go exclusive with one console and risk limiting sales to half the audience. There is nothing wrong with this decision. Valve prefer the 360 because it is familiar hardware and easier for them to develop for. Say what you will about Gabe, Valve has developed a fan base on the 360 console, and that may not change in a long long time.
Altogether, I think Insomniac have made a smart business decision. They still acknowledge the Sony fans and will keep Ratchet and Clank along with Resistence exclusive to the PS3 console, but they can show big financial gain with a new multiplat IP.
Same thing goes for Bungie here. They haven't abandoned their core fans and console exclusive brethren. They are simply opening doors to new consoles and new sales potential, thus increasing their revenue, thus leading to bigger and better games developed by a bigger and far more advanced industry.
To both Insomniac and Bungie, I say bravo. I don't care what console your games are on, if they are fantastic games, I will be getting them. If it is better on PS3, like FF XIII, I will get the PS3 version. If it better on 360, like Bayonetta, I will get the 360 version. If there is no difference, PS3 version anyway. I like to build my trophy collection.
Last edited by Dancemachine55 on 5/25/2010 11:48:47 PM
the good news is you can bet the ps3 will be the lead platform on any multiplat game insomniac makes
I can appreciate everyone keeping their chin up and trying to put a positive spin on this situation.
However, this has to be sad news for any PlayStation enthusiast. Insomniac has been delivering quality to the PlayStation brand since day one.
"Multi-Plat" means a lesser quality, especially in the graphics department. So much for sticking with the superior PS3 for the sake of being on top of your "art".
…..although, I can see Insomniac making a kick-butt Wii game.
just one problem insomniac were not 3rd party they were second……………
anyway, i really can not believe this has happened, this shocked me more than bungie going to EA.
if you were to tell me insomniac were going to EA, i would of called the funny farm and had a orange jumpsuit ready for ya.
hope this does not effect the quality or quantity of there games though, because lets face it they have been on fire latley.
no developer has released the same amount of games in the short time they have.
and not to mention every single one of them is worth its weight in gold, even resistance 2 which is by far the worst title they have made.
i really hope all their existing IPs stay exclusive though, any new IPs fine but i wont be happy if i see ratchet or nathan on the 360.
I believe I read somewhere that Insomniac has released a game a year for the past 16 years. That's quite a run of decent games at an incredible pace.
There is no such thing as second party, that's a complete myth. You're either first party and therefore an in-house team, or you are third party. You could be third party and partner closely with, and develop exclusively for Sony – which is what I think you mean by 'second party', but in reality you are either an independent or you're not. You're either a third party or you're first party.
Why does it matter to people who buy games if there games go on 360 aswell…..as long as the games they make are just as good as they were on ps3 i wont mind