Universal May Go With Blu-ray & More News on IGN PS3 Podcast

On the IGN Play B3yond podcast it was stated right at 7 minutes 15 seconds that Universal studios is reconsidering their stance on HD DVD and are considering going Blu-ray. They also discuss other PlayStation topics such as Paramounts decision is a mistake, Madden issues, what should be included in Home, Upcoming Lair Review, Call of Duty 4 PS3 version vs 360 version, God Of War 3,& more.

[nomuken]

Well if this happens HD DVD is DEAD.

[cdzie1]

Universal has been HD DVD’s biggest supporter, releasing over 100 titles on the format. Their corporate vice presidents have been open that they remain committed to the HD DVD format. Not to mention these guys had other facts wrong.

Bottom line: these guys don’t know what they’re talking about… forget it..

[Rageanitus]

But all that is needed is Warner brother to go exclusive one side.

Warner brothers is the juggernaut of movies.

[Omegasyde]

I don't think Universal will just jump sides and only got with Blue-ray. THey will go neutral like Warner Bros perhaps? Its a win win for the consumer but a loss for HDDVD. Universal then could re-release the movies in Blu-ray and more money.

Its all about the "scrill".

[EZCheez]

If (and that's a gigantic if) this is a possibility then it really is the only news that could possibly upstage the Paramount announcement.

I really doubt it though because i'm pretty sure some of the senior guys that work at Universal are also heads in the HD-DVD Association.

However, it would really, really kick ass. For me, that is.

[Siesser]

Yeah, I thought Universal was strongly entrenched into HD-DVD. It would be great if they went both ways though, because Universal is the one studio who's lack of support affects me. Not because of their movies, mind you, but because NBC is Universal. I want HEROES.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

Heroes is good...

But who really cares when Blu-ray gets LOST???

[ReBurn]

I don't watch Lost. But I do watch Heroes.

[Optimus Prime]

HEROS! love that show. only one more month till that show starts back up, its going to be delightful. while we have to wait for lost to start next spring... sheese.

[Bloodmask]

"HD DVD is the most recognized brand name worldwide for high definition packaged media and we now have a strong group of companies behind it, from hardware manufacturers to studios and distributors."

Ken Graffeo, Executive VP, HD Strategic Marketing, Universal Studios Home Entertainment

[Xbox 360 Will]

http://www.blu-ray.com/news...

[Bloodmask]

http://www.aintitcool.com/n...

[Xbox 360 Will]

so that when Universal goes Blu-ray you won't cry as much!

Hatchet your comment is not even worth a response.

[Ri0tSquad]

What the hell is HD DVD? Lmfao years down the road ppl are going to be saying that. But I can understand why ppl feel the need to protect it and bash on blu ray because if it fails it becomes a paperweight basically 200 bucks wasted. Even if Blu ray loses its name will still live on for about 10+ years by PS3. But when blu ray wins well then gamers basically win seeing that all M$ has to do is make a blu ray add on for about 200 bucks.

[Gizmo_Logix]

Did you miss the point of that "old" link, completely?

[s8anicslayer]

thats a nice stab in the back by universal, i saw a post on another site that mgm was going blueray, being that mgm universal is together it would make sense on universals part!

[Fighter]

Sony owns rights to MGM, that is why Bond was made by Sony pictures after they purchased MGM a year or two ago. I THINK Sony sold MGM to Fox right after but still own certain MGM rights.

[Omegasyde]

um big poppa .. Sony owns like a giant stake in MGM. MGM has been exclusive already and is one side that can't switch sides.

[mccomber]

I'll go ahead and continue to not hold my breath on this rumour. Not as persistent as the MGS4 on 360 stories, but just about as likely at this point.

[gsx-r]

the plot thickens... ;)

[Xbox is the BEST]

Ahhh NO!!!

[Sovannah Phum]

can't wait to watch eternal sunshine of the spotless mind and other countless universal classics on bluray! if this rumor is true.

[KeMoBLUE]

they realize how succesful blu-ray is not by getting paid by the blu-ray group unlike the HD DVD group which had to pay for paramount exclusivity.

[spammy_nooo]

i've noticed that on the paramount thread, many people were complaining about the situation. this one on the other had has people cheering in general.

i wonder if this represents the 'wars' situation at all?

[Rooftrellen]

I've made pro-bluray statements that get double digit agrees, but when I make a pro-HD DVD statement, it gets about as many disagrees.

I think all that says is that because PS3 comes with bluray, anyone who buys a PS3 will have a reason to defend bluray, even though HD DVD is cheaper for those of us who don't have a lot of money to throw at movies, and generally people agree that HD DVD has a slight edge in picture quality, though its not much.

What people don't realize is that such a huge show of emotion over their format will draw people away from it.

After what I've seen in the last 24 hours, I can safely say I will never own a bluray player, even if it wins the format war, because I'm not ready to dedicate my life to defending my format, as seems to be the custom when you get a bluray player.

[Omegasyde]

please jusitify how HDDVD has a slight edge is picture quality? Especually when they are both are 1080p and support Deeper black and Super White?

No offence but its sounds like a Cloudy statement. I need proof. THey are almost equal except that HDDVD has more extra options. Also prices of movies are about the same from 20-25~. The only price difference is the player. But once you get over that, wouldn't you stick with the format with more movie selections?

Honestly if the situation was switched and Tosiba and Sony switched places, I would go with HD-DVD because its bigger and has more movie options.

[Fighter]

I would love to own the upcoming 'Battlestar Galactica mini series and Season 1' coming this holiday season but it will only be an HD-DVD exclusive.

[The Dude]

Its sony considering moving to HD-DVD. Wouldn't that be great to see sony supporting HD-DVD like Paramount and Disney soon. I can't wait for sony's HD-DVD announcement.

Edit
@Xbox 360 Will
What a dumb @ss you posted the same links to all HD format news today. You are a fanboy loser. Maybe you could post something besides the same links all over n4g if you weren't such an ignorant @ss.

[NextGen24Gamer]

It will be the funniest day in entertainment history....Not that we would laugh at Sony...Its the ways of the business.....But the way Sony fanboys will react to it will be whats funny. Think about it. LOL....

[Xbox 360 Will]

seeing how Peter Moore and Microsoft said they are considering a Blu-ray add-on drive.

http://www.theregister.co.u...

http://www.gamasutra.com/ph...

http://news.teamxbox.com/xb...

http://www.gamespot.com/xbo...

Show me a link where Sony has ever considered HD DVD!

[nomuken]

Deal with it! HD DVD is a pointless format...

RIP HD DVD

[NextGen24Gamer]

Universal will only go Blu ray when HD dvd is dead.

Its just like Sony going to HD dvd when Blu ray is dead.

What everyone needs to watch out for is Disney/Pixar supporting both or Warner going HD dvd exclusive NEXT.

[Fighter]

I heard the rumor of Disney going both ways but it's always from Xbox fanboys on this site who provide no proof at all. Can someone provide a link to back that up.

[bluegoblin]

warner is going blue ray next.

[Tsukasah]

Had Paramount pictures not have done HDDVD exclusivity, HDDVD could have been dead within the next few months... that is IF Universal does BluRay of course. Maybe whoever owns HDDVD(Toshiba?) and offered the 150mil to Paramount saw this coming, and wanted the war to be longer? Just an estimate, but seems possible.

[Darkiewonder]

Just give me some HD Movies that doesn't suck please. Because the movies Universal has been putting on Blu-ray has been below average.

Don't mess with the actual good movies [/Opionated]

[gsx-r]

I love the comment on how far behind Paramount is on the technological curve...kind of makes their recent announcement to support HDDVD only make sense...

[Genki]

I wonder if this will happen, or rather, how it will happen. Will they go exclusive or multi? Either way, a blow has been dealt to both ends.

It would be funny if they cut a 16 month, 150 million dollar deal with the BDA themselves. Only difference is that they'd have a much broader audience for their content, and would stand to potentially pocket even more millions after that. Paramount may be HD-DVDs last pillar of hope yet...but it remains to be seen.

[The Dude]

@nomuken

Deal with it! blu-ray is a pointless format...

RIP blu-ray

The death of blu-ray has begun

I'm picking up an HD-A20 after todays news : )

[MikeGdaGod]

thats seems kinda silly. ur buyin a HD player just because one movie company said they're going with HD DVD? no way..........what about all the studios that are already bluray exclusive?

sorry, but i think ur full of...........

[NextGen24Gamer]

Why is this important? Apple and Pixar share the same CEO. Thats where the rumors of Pixar/Disney very possibly supporting both at some point. Disney already has ALL of their movies available for download in FULL HD via Xbox live. That was phase 1. We will see won't we. Should be fun.

http://www.apple.com/pr/lib...

[The Dude]

Howard Stringer publicly attacked Steve Jobs CEO/Chairman of Apple and Pixar/Disney
sony's arrogance has been slowly killing blu-ray.

[Xbox 360 Will]

your in love with each other or your boyfriend and boyfriend seeing how you always seem to post right next to each other and right after each other.

Disney won't go HD DVD

http://www.n4g.com/industry...

http://www.comingsoon.net/n...

http://www.micechat.com/for...

http://www.bigscreen.com/jo...

http://www.blu-ray.com/news...

Look how recent these stories are.

Official site

http://disney.go.com/disney...

[shoota33]

wow you really have some issues with sony.Something has acually possessed your mind into thinking blu ray s dying lol. I know your this big xbox fanboy and will support anything MS does (HD DVD) but im sorry hd dvd will continue to get spanked by blu ray in sales and soon hd dvd will be dead. theres noting you can say or do about it,deal with it.

[jwatt]

Paramount goes HD-dvd exclusive to try and milk as much money from this format war as possible. Sales of HD-DVD rise from titles like Shrek, Transformers, and blades of glory. Athough sales of HD-DVD rises it doesn't make a major impact on BLU-RAY sales. Paramount goes back neutral and we're back to the same spot, but around this time more ps3 consoles enter homes and more cheaper Blu-Ray players are available on the market. Transformers will be a big, big miss for Blu-Ray but people are still going to watch Spiderman 3 and the simpsons Movie.

When Paramount's deal is over and HD-DVD hasn't made much of a impact on Blu-Ray I think the format war will be over. They will go back to selling movies on HD-DVD and Blu-Ray then I would expect them or another major studio to go exclusive Blu-Ray. This deal is HD-dvd's only chance, if they don't get rolling now then it's over.

[MK_Red]

OK, if Universal goes natural after Paramount going HD-DVD, things will go back to a bit more normal situation but Transformers not on Blu-ray!??

[Fighter]

I thought Speilberg movies were going both ways or is it just Speilberg directed movies? Can someone confirm this? Transformers was produced by Speilberg.

[Rageanitus]

Paramounts decision is a mistake, man it only shows they are considering going in neutral. Hopefully they take the warner approach, support both formats, and eventually shift over to one side.

[gsx-r]

I think it was the IGN guys stating that it was a mistake for Paramount, not the Universal guys...one of the IGN guys used to work for Paramount and says theyre super far behind on the technological curve...

[The Dude]

@Xbox 360 Will
Todays news got you down. Are you all mad with your panties in a bunch? Disney will go HD-DVD and I can't wait for the article on n4g.

Edit
You will be using the upscaling feature in the ps3 more and more.

you in love with nomuken you guys must be lovers. boyfriends always post together f@g

I didnt recycle it I was making fun of you @ss LOL LOL LOL

Have a good night my special little b1tch

[nomuken]

KK

[Xbox 360 Will]

what i don't like is ignorant, inbred, unintelligent fanboys that are so desperate that they have to lie to everyone and themselves to feel better about themselves. You must be a little punk that gets smacked around in real life and thats why you come on here to try and sound masculine to make yourself feel better. No one believes your lies and the more you make these silly comments the more you make xbox fanboys look bad. Atleast some of your brethren have decent and rational points but you on the other hand are a wannabe who has to resort to low measures just to get attention.

LOL your not even original you had to recyle my comment about you and Elite being boyfriends! Truly pathetic.

LOL now you edited your comment because i called you out on it! Man this just great! LOL. Your really special aren't you! My special little
dude!

You can't make fun of someone using the same diss they used on you. Man i really whole heartedly feel sorry for you. You will be in my prayers. And last but not least please don't reproduce!

[Bloodmask]

But ultimately the first players to be available at a mass market pricepoint will be the victor. Around $100 to $200.

HDDVD will most likely achieve this pricepoint first. Consoles play a part in movie sales but not a major one.

If this was the case all consoles, PCs, and laptops would be counted as DVD players. Obviously most households have a standalone player if not multiple ones.

To note how long format wars can take you need to take into consideration that VHS tapes are still being sold today.

[mikeslemonade]

Shutup you don't know anything. Consoles do play a role. How many PS2s and 360s are out there? 150 million units. Also whoever drops to $200 will lose because any company can drop price. If HD-DVD takes off at $200 then Sony can easily drop the price. Both companys have money to do so. And right now HD-DVD group is losing way more money.

[TheExodus]

Maybe we could actually start reading comments before we respond to them?

[Huddymonster]

The war was goin g to be over in the next 6 months and now there is no end in sight. Unless Universal goes neutral we might be talking about this format war for a while.

I love though that the games arnt affected I mean 10gb just for sound owns DVD and the xbox!!! Warhawk is 7 days away

I AM LOOKING AT YOU EZCHEEZ

[EZCheez]

SHAKE AND BAKE!!!!!!!!!!!

[gEnKiE]

wow, this will be a kick in the face if this happens. I also think the whole paramount thing is a mistake too but i guess if your desperate like hd-dvd crue, you'll do your best to buy rights to whatever is possible. Too bad i will have to wait till morning to listen to this when i get out of work..... :(

[Shaka2K6]

Looks like a good hear and its from IGN too, so finally a podcast worth listening to.

[DEADEND]

If this is true then its a sure when for BLU-RAY, but most of all this is going to hurt paramount the most for siding with HD-DVD. Now who's going to help HD-DVD if Universal really leaves because both Universal and paramount isn't enough to win this year even if they worked together, and now paramount will be alone with HD-DVD. But I can't say I'm surprised its the best option for Universal to take at this point.

[jaehyt]

There is not ONE SHRED of actual proof on any of the official releases from anyone (that actually counts) that says anything about Universal swaying from their undying support to HD-DVD. I am in the HD-DVD camp, but I admit there are a lot of movies I would love to own that are Blu-Ray exclusives and I just have to deal with it. Why can't you guys just face facts...even if they were bought, Paramount and Dreamworks now combine with Universal to even up the score for the HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray battle. Any fanboys starting rumors about Universal leaving HD-DVD just show how little they are informed.

[ktchong]

you're not gonna hear it first from the "IGN Play B3yond podcast".

IGN might be a recognizable name in the video gaming industry, but it is not exactly a well-connnected "insider" when it comes to Hollywood.

[power of Green]

Man this sh*t is getting out of hand why is it so important for the Sony folks to have Blu-ray win and to; so far as to lie and make fictional realities. You still get BD for your games sheesh!.

[mikeslemonade]

I care so Microsoft doesn't have the ability to monopolize everything.

[JokesOnYou]

like I've said before most pro sony news is always speculation and rumors which very rarely have any truth to them, ha ha look at how many pro sony bs news stories have turned out to be false info it doesnt make sense that HD DVD would all over a sudden switch to support bluray as soon as they finally get more support from another major studio, why now? when they have clearly stated they will stick with HD DVD to the bitter end, now just when there situation is improving they suddenly want to switch? ha ha sony kids I think you all are still trying to recover from that Paramount haymaker that smacked you in the mouth, this news is just some wild blind swing back at the HD DVD news with your eyes closed=

JOY

[RINGOFDEATH]

Spiderman 1 2 3 on Blu Ray is all that matters to me ...

[RINGOFDEATH]

39% of the 360's had the Red Ring of Death.... Millions down the drain... Yay microsoft,they love to screw you idiots that keeps on buying that ticking timebomb the Xbox 360 .

[Lightning Mr Bubbles]

But HD DVD has set the tone for the kind of war this is gonna be. Lets see what happens.

[Cat]

universal is getting tons of money to support hd dvd; the only way they would be "considering going blu ray" is if blu ray was "considering" giving them even more money. If it means securing the prevalence of the superior format, i hope blu ray forks over some cash.

[gsx-r]

@jaehyt

the news came from IGN...i think they'd know a little more than you about would about industry news...lol

[aiphanes]

There are over 4 million PS3 sold worldwide with all of them being bluray players...and they can make even more money if they go format neutral...

Universal knows this and will go neutral soon.

Why is this a shock to people? Paramount only when HD-DVD exclusive because they got paided $150 million for a 18 month deal.

[BLaZiN PRopHeT]

the thing is there are what less than a half million HDDVD players out there and over 4 million bluray player but yet Bluray is only outselling HDDVD by 2:1 with all those players dont you think it should be more?

[Mu5afir]

70% of Ps3 owners own a Blu-Ray movie. However, only 50% know of it's Blu-Ray high definition capabilities. There are a lot of uninformed people right now, mostly because of amount of units sold as of now. But, be sure that is going to change as more consoles are sold.

[gsx-r]

Thats still twice the money they'd make by selling blu-ray since it is outselling 2:1 =)

[joevfx]

if universal goes Blu, which they prolly will with Big names directors liek Bay and spielburg voicing there opinion on the war, it will just proove to paramount what a big mistake they made.

[Anything but Cute]

I mean it was obvious, why suddenly drop blu ray?

I think things might get interesting here.This puts Blu ray in a very desperate position. And even a few major Paramount directors are pissed off by the decision.

[tk]

And because they committed to HD-DVD early on, they will support it to the end. Very little chance that they will go BR exclusive until HD-DVD is dead and buried, which will happen after they move anyway.

Good move on their side. They might get a couple of double sales - as some people who owned a title on HD-DVD will get the BR title also.

[BLaZiN PRopHeT]

Do you have a link to the numbers you stated? id like to read it for myself.

[Goshyujin_Sama]

we will see hd-dvd start to die quick

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

Here's the situation:

- Paying off people for exclusivity.

- Sony fires back with Universal

- Microsoft joins and helps pay people for HD-DVD support

- Sony gets pissed, but realizes that they can't win because Microsoft uses the same tactics every time to "win". They pay people off and steal ideas.

- Sony wins because they've had enough of these American business tactics and secretly form a tie with Nintendo to smash Microsoft into the ground.

(i want this to happen)

[GamingNtek]

Oh well, Paramount will not get my money.
It's going to be nice too watch Spidey in High def:)

[Chriswsm]

Methinks I will take a back seat until this war dies down and continue buying DVD's. Both the BR movies I own were free and look great on the PS3 but I would never consider buying a BR movie as DVD's still do a damn fine job. Hence me pre ordering BSG series 3 & '24 Weeks later' today on DVD. I did not even consider the possibility they might be available on BR.

[Figboy]

6 Blu Ray movies, and plan to own more in the future.

i haven't bought a DVD since i got my HDTV.

while i don't plan on rebuying all of my DVD collection in Blu Ray, movies that i'd really like to see in HD (ie, Spider-Man, X-Men, Jurassic Park), i'll purchase in Blu Ray.

new movies have my interest in HD. catalog titles, depending on if i have them or not, i can wait on (though the Die Hard Trilogy is sounding rather nice; i don't own it on DVD; glad i waited. lol).

i still think Blu Ray will win this format war, though i'd be lying if i said that Paramount's move didn't hurt the Blu Ray camp. i was just talking to one of my fiance's ex-coworkers, and he was floored when i told him Transformers wasn't hitting Blu Ray. he doesn't even *OWN a PS3, and he was excited about the prospect of watching Transformers on Blu Ray.

this decision of Paramounts is going to hurt them for a bit, but they make so much money, and as they've shown, their allegiance can change at the drop of a hat (or the drop of $150 million), that they'll bounce back to Blu Ray when it suits their agenda.

business politics are bullsh*t, really.

*edit; i know Jurassic Park is Universal, but i expect them to go Blu Ray by next summer, if not earlier.

[Xbox is the BEST]

The biggest companies back HD DVD