It was one of the biggest news from E3 this year, even if it was overshadowed by other mammoth announcements.

For years, Microsoft fans have enjoyed timed exclusivity for all Call of Duty downloadable content. The expansions always came first to the Xbox platform.

But Sony has staged a coup this year; the reversal is in full effect: DLC for the upcoming Black Ops III will debut on PlayStation platforms, and so will the multiplayer beta. So, how did Activision end up teaming with Sony? PlayStation VP of Publisher & Developer Relations Adam Boyes tells GameSpot that Destiny may have paved the way:

"Well, I think the first thing was we've had a great relationship with Activision around Destiny. And I'm a huge fan of that."

PlayStation fans get Destiny content first, and Sony even said several times that they were treating Destiny like a first-part title. As for Black Ops III , Boyes said Sony "fell in love instantly:"

"As soon as I started playing it, I said, 'This feels incredible! You can wallride!' It's just so smooth; it's almost like poetic. And so obviously, we just continued talking with our partners at Activision and worked something out. And now we've got I think a great benefit to all the gamers."

Well, that's for damn sure. Black Ops III will launch for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on November 6.

Related Game(s): Call of Duty: Black Ops III

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FM23
FM23
7 years ago

So what he's really saying is he did this for business purposes and nothing more. I can't believe he said Sony did this for "all gamers" as this is clearly only beneficial to ps4 owners.

I mean I could careless, but the hidden agenda is clear as f*$%! Exclusive nonsense needs to end though

matt99
matt99
7 years ago

Obviously it's for business purposes and I don't know what "hidden agenda" you're talking about. Activision is partnering with the company that has sold the most consoles this generation and Sony can now say they're the "go to" platform for one of the most popular gaming franchises in the world. It's a win-win for both companies and a smart business move that could be seen a mile away.

Underdog15
Underdog15
7 years ago

I don't think the agenda is "hidden". Securing a portion of the market it kinda business 101. And creating "synergy" is important. (Partnering with other businesses for mutual benefit)


Last edited by Underdog15 on 6/30/2015 9:55:16 AM

Bio
Bio
7 years ago

I agree that it's "kinda business 101", to borrow your phrase, Underdog, but why is it "just business 101" now that Sony is doing it, when it was evil underhanded scheming when MS buys timed exclusive content? I'm asking generally, not in response to anything you specifically have said in the past.

We should all be consistent in our outrage, or lack thereof. Personally I couldn't care less as Call of Duty sucks donkey butt, but kudos to Sony for making the deal.

Underdog15
Underdog15
7 years ago

I've never been outraged by it. Even with the Tomb Raider stuff, I've been saying, "meh we'll get it eventually".

Besides, Microsoft has it's own partnerships, just like in the past when MS had timed exclusivity, Sony had it's own separate partnerships too.

Bio
Bio
7 years ago

I know you haven't, which is why I said I was speaking generally. Lots of people here and elsewhere get so up in arms about this sort of stuff, especially when Tomb Raider became a timed exclusive. I always found it silly.

If you can convince the publisher of a multi-billion dollar franchise to hook you up with exclusive content, timed or otherwise, you do that every single time unless you're a company of morons. It doesn't make you evil, it makes you smart.

matt99
matt99
7 years ago

Also I'd just like to add that I don't think this timed exclusivity stuff is great for gaming as a whole but I can't deny that it's a smart business move.

FM23
FM23
7 years ago

So what he's really saying is he did this for business purposes and nothing more. I can't believe he said Sony did this for "all gamers" as this is clearly only beneficial to ps4 owners.

I mean I could careless, but the hidden agenda is clear as f*$%! Exclusive nonsense needs to end though

FAREEZ
FAREEZ
7 years ago

But…i only care about the single player…

souljah92
souljah92
7 years ago

said no one in the last 10 some odd years lol

TrueAssassin86x
TrueAssassin86x
7 years ago

I couldnt careless about so thus is a big meh to me

Kevin555
Kevin555
7 years ago

Personally i couldn't give two morning turds about timed DLC content that's going to be released else where eventually anyway.

Imo this isn't a win, it's just a waste of SONY money that could have been spent on something more worthwhile. People would still lap this DLC up regardless whether it's six months earlier or six months later because it's Call of Duty DLC and millions play the game so i personally don't see too much bragging rights coming from it.

Bio
Bio
7 years ago

There are millions of people who are super into Call of Duty. Super into it like they're going to get the next installment on whatever platform gets the DLC first.

Hopefully the days of Call of Duty being relevant at all are coming to a close, but for now it's still huge, and it still drives console sales, so it's smart business to try and lock up what exclusivity you can with these titles.

matt99
matt99
7 years ago

Of course the fans will get it regardless but if you're a big CoD fan (and there are many) and you're considering upgrading to one of the new consoles this could just swing it. Of course it depends on how much it cost Sony but all in all it's probably a solid business move.

dillonthebunny
dillonthebunny
7 years ago

Waste of money? Lol, love or hate cod, it sells millions and millions.

The days game houses put people before business went over a decade ago. Of course it's always about cash, yes they have a fan base and yes they have to strike a balance between making money and giving the fans what they really want. … And if millions want cod then it's a no brainer.

Just because a small amount of gamers believe that they're the majority, doesn't make it fact. It's like when people go on about boycotting games to show then a lesson, lol.. Kids!

Underdog15
Underdog15
4 years ago

I&#39ve never been outraged by it. Even with the Tomb Raider stuff, I&#39ve been saying, "meh we&#39ll get it eventually".

Besides, Microsoft has it&#39s own partnerships, just like in the past when MS had timed exclusivity, Sony had it&#39s own separate partnerships too.

FAREEZ
FAREEZ
4 years ago

But…i only care about the single player…

Bio
Bio
4 years ago

I agree that it&#39s "kinda business 101", to borrow your phrase, Underdog, but why is it "just business 101" now that Sony is doing it, when it was evil underhanded scheming when MS buys timed exclusive content? I&#39m asking generally, not in response to anything you specifically have said in the past.

We should all be consistent in our outrage, or lack thereof. Personally I couldn&#39t care less as Call of Duty sucks donkey butt, but kudos to Sony for making the deal.

FM23
FM23
4 years ago

So what he&#39s really saying is he did this for business purposes and nothing more. I can&#39t believe he said Sony did this for "all gamers" as this is clearly only beneficial to ps4 owners.

I mean I could careless, but the hidden agenda is clear as f*$%! Exclusive nonsense needs to end though

FM23
FM23
4 years ago

So what he&#39s really saying is he did this for business purposes and nothing more. I can&#39t believe he said Sony did this for "all gamers" as this is clearly only beneficial to ps4 owners.

I mean I could careless, but the hidden agenda is clear as f*$%! Exclusive nonsense needs to end though

matt99
matt99
4 years ago

Obviously it&#39s for business purposes and I don&#39t know what "hidden agenda" you&#39re talking about. Activision is partnering with the company that has sold the most consoles this generation and Sony can now say they&#39re the "go to" platform for one of the most popular gaming franchises in the world. It&#39s a win-win for both companies and a smart business move that could be seen a mile away.

Bio
Bio
4 years ago

I know you haven&#39t, which is why I said I was speaking generally. Lots of people here and elsewhere get so up in arms about this sort of stuff, especially when Tomb Raider became a timed exclusive. I always found it silly.

If you can convince the publisher of a multi-billion dollar franchise to hook you up with exclusive content, timed or otherwise, you do that every single time unless you&#39re a company of morons. It doesn&#39t make you evil, it makes you smart.

matt99
matt99
4 years ago

Also I&#39d just like to add that I don&#39t think this timed exclusivity stuff is great for gaming as a whole but I can&#39t deny that it&#39s a smart business move.

Underdog15
Underdog15
4 years ago

I don&#39t think the agenda is "hidden". Securing a portion of the market it kinda business 101. And creating "synergy" is important. (Partnering with other businesses for mutual benefit)

Last edited by Underdog15 on 6/30/2015 9:55:16 AM

matt99
matt99
4 years ago

Of course the fans will get it regardless but if you&#39re a big CoD fan (and there are many) and you&#39re considering upgrading to one of the new consoles this could just swing it. Of course it depends on how much it cost Sony but all in all it&#39s probably a solid business move.

TrueAssassin86x
TrueAssassin86x
4 years ago

I couldnt careless about so thus is a big meh to me

dillonthebunny
dillonthebunny
4 years ago

Waste of money? Lol, love or hate cod, it sells millions and millions.

The days game houses put people before business went over a decade ago. Of course it&#39s always about cash, yes they have a fan base and yes they have to strike a balance between making money and giving the fans what they really want. … And if millions want cod then it&#39s a no brainer.

Just because a small amount of gamers believe that they&#39re the majority, doesn&#39t make it fact. It&#39s like when people go on about boycotting games to show then a lesson, lol.. Kids!

Bio
Bio
4 years ago

There are millions of people who are super into Call of Duty. Super into it like they&#39re going to get the next installment on whatever platform gets the DLC first.

Hopefully the days of Call of Duty being relevant at all are coming to a close, but for now it&#39s still huge, and it still drives console sales, so it&#39s smart business to try and lock up what exclusivity you can with these titles.

souljah92
souljah92
4 years ago

said no one in the last 10 some odd years lol

Kevin555
Kevin555
4 years ago

Personally i couldn&#39t give two morning turds about timed DLC content that&#39s going to be released else where eventually anyway.

Imo this isn&#39t a win, it&#39s just a waste of SONY money that could have been spent on something more worthwhile. People would still lap this DLC up regardless whether it&#39s six months earlier or six months later because it&#39s Call of Duty DLC and millions play the game so i personally don&#39t see too much bragging rights coming from it.