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Limbo Could Have Been A PS3 Exclusive If…

Limbo Could Have Been A PS3 Exclusive If…

Posted by: Ernice Gilbert July 16, 2012 in News, PS3, PSN, Sony 8 Comments

…If Sony did not demand that Playdead relinquish IP rights.

The news was brought to light by Sony Computer Entertainment executive producer Pete Smith at the UK Develop conference last week. He said talks broke down when Sony insisted on Playdead giving up its Limbo IP rights. The firm refused, hence the game’s Xbox 360 timed-exclusive release.

“I maybe shouldn’t say this, but we had issues when we were trying to sign Limbo because of the IP,” Smith said.

He added: “There are obvious benefits to keeping [your IP], but also to giving it up: you’re way more likely to get the deal. Remember: 100 percent 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.”

I personally reviewed Limbo precisely one year ago, scoring it a proper 9/10.

Thanks, Edge.

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About Ernice Gilbert

Ernice Gilbert here. Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Gamesthirst. Thanks for stopping by, make yourself at home!
  • nick

    yup, and that is exactly whats destroying the industry!
    publishers looking out for themselves, and not giving a flying fuck about the people who make the games!
    ive said it once, twice, a billion times and ill say it again.
    publishers are the leach of the industry.
    they latch onto a developer, suck them dry then when there about to crash and burn they leap ship and suck dry another victim!

  • benzo

    Its business. Both the publisher and the developer are trying to get paid. They said no and everyone moved on. So there is nothing wrong with negotiations and people trying to make $$$. This is not destroying the industry. People buying into fads like motion gaming and the causal market are more detrimental to the industry than this. Games not supporting new IPs or new studios is worse. Gamers flocking to a games that lack innovation/brain-dead sequels is killing it faster than this as well. Lots of other things to blame of the industry issues other than businesses being businesses.

  • nick

    theres a big difference between making $$$$ and being out right greedy!
    whatever dude, no point arguing because i know its going to go in one side and out the other.
    you do realise however that publishers are the reason we have so few new IPs right?
    why is EA for instance limiting visceral to dead space when they could do a dantes inferno sequel, or a new IP?
    or restricting DICE to BF, when they have expressed their extreme interest in doing ME2?

  • benzo

    Its not arguing,its called discussing. You get so angry when someone expresses and opposing opinion. I’m just trying to show a different way of looking at things,you get so angry when its not even that serious. And i would appreciate it if you would not insult my intelligence by saying I dont listen…in one ear and out the other…Im read what you posted and I just disagree with you. That does not mean you have the right to get your ass up on your shoulders and start throwing around whatever dudes.

  • Pingback: Limbo Was Almost A PS3 Exclusive

  • nick

    i said that because you DONT listen!
    i say something, or ask a question and you ignore it and go on a mindless irrelevant rant.
    case in point, twice ive asked you a question, and twice you still have not answered it.
    whatever im done talking to a brick wall.

  • http://www.gamesthirst.com Ernice Gilbert

    Nick I don’t see your point. How do you mean he don’t listen? Benzo was simply trying to have a civil conversation. It’s what we’re known for here on Games Thirst.

  • benzo

    Ok Nick,I think EA limits Visceral to Dead Space because of sales. Dead Space sold well as a franchise. Dantes Inferno did not and..well..we see how the new IP Kingdoms of Amalur did. As far as why Mirrors Edge 2 isnt being done as opposed to Battlefield games,well all Im going to say is Call Of Duty. Millions of copys sold and billions of $$ made. EA wants a piece of that pie, so thats why we get Battlefield and not ME2. Time and time again I have stressed that gamers DO NOT support new IPs. Due to that support, EA as well as other publishers are sticking with the games that sell. Unfortunately we, the gamers, suffer. I support new IPs not just with my talk, but my wallet. So now that I have addressed your questions, I seriously as that you take it easy. You get so heated for no reason. I have actually address the questions you asked me in numerous posts. Perhaps not in this particular one, but I think that my stance of most things are clearly stated here to the GT community. Nick, often times I disagree with you, but other times you are spot on in my opinion. Healthy discussion and open minds are one of the reasons I come back to GT every day. So please just relax a little and engage in some good old game conversation.

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