Sony's Billion Dollar Mistake

How could Sony let Titanfall slip through their fingers?

[Mikelarry]

the author says "Sony didn’t have to go to Respawn and EA, and give them tons of money for exclusive rights to Titanfall, but they should have done something"

then in the same paragraph says "They needed to show up at EA and say, “how much will Titanfall cost us, because we want it too.”

and im like WTF

also respawn wanted TF on the ps and was only made aware after the fact EA had done a backdoor deal with MS.

[KGutche]

Not sure what you don't understand. Sony didn't have to pay a lot to make it an exclusive, but you should make sure they get a version of the game.

[-Foxtrot]

Maybe Sony thought it wasn't worth it, I mean if the PS4 was selling poorly and Titanfall helped Microsoft put the PS4 in the shadows as it brought in more sales for the console then fair enough but Sony aren't even trying and the sales couldn't be better for them.

So at the end of the day what would be the point wasting money on just the one game when the sequel will be coming to your console in the future. As people point out Sony can't go around spending money willy nilly.

I mean EA only went a head with the deal because they most likely thought it was great how Microsoft wanted to standardize DRM in the console industry and bring in the other horrible policies like the ones on blocking used games...plus they most likely thought MS would have an early lead over Sony again

However that didn't happen did it...it's basically went the OPPOSITE way EA wanted. So now they are probably kicking themselves with how many sales they've lost because of this decision. They might get some alright sale numbers but they'll always know deep down the numbers could of been better.

I like how calm Sony are in all this, basically letting the console sell it's self...I mean we don't know what half the other studios have in store for the PS4 while MS blew most of their cards at E3 LAST year.

[darthv72]

Sony has said they dont pay for exclusives. Yet funding the development in exchange for publishing rights could be a way around their belief.

Since EA was the primary holder of the IP, it was really up to them. Not Sony or Ms to decide. EA went with MS for this game but depending on how it sells the sequel is anyone's guess.

Unless MS made a deal with EA like they did with Epic for the Gears games.

[MysticStrummer]

http://www.inquisitr.com/10...

“That’s a process that’s been done through the industry for many years. There are lots of single-platform titles. Obviously, you work with the first-parties to make sure the economics make sense for all sides, and we made that decision on Titanfall. We’re trying to make sure that we’ve developed a great relationship with them. We helped them on marketing, we helped them on development where they need it. And we try to maintain a strong partnership with them over time.”

EA made a deal with MS. Case closed.

@lolCHILL - "they were on Microsoft's stage at E3 and they wrote articles about Microsofts cloud, seemed like they knew everything to me"

Do you supposed those things happened AFTER the deal between EA and MS was made?

Hmmm…

"trust me with millions on the table there is NO suprises for any company involved unless they want to get sued, dont be so naive"

Spoken like someone who has no idea what they're talking about. EA is the publisher. They made a deal. End of story.

[iamnsuperman]

I think you have misunderstood the situation. EA thought the One (well before it was officially revealed) would sell better. Sony had no hope. Microsoft only had to show up with cash and that ruled out the PS4. EA have gone on record and said the One was going to obliterate the PS4. As far as EA was concerned if Microsoft offered money they win the best deal. Regardless of what Sony did

[lolCHILLbro]

"also respawn wanted TF on the ps and was only made aware after the fact EA had done a backdoor deal with MS."

Maybe Respawn was just saying that to shut up the fanboys and avoid bad PR?

Respawn was in bed with Microsoft, they were on Microsoft's stage at E3 and they wrote articles about Microsofts cloud, seemed like they knew everything to me, trust me with millions on the table there is NO suprises for any company involved unless they want to get sued, dont be so naive

[TomShoe]

OP's argument is kind of ridiculous. Billion dollar mistake? Now that is hyperbole to the fullest. While Titanfall is a good game, it's not going to erase the Xbox's deficit by itself, especially with the competition coming out with games of their own as well.

Allow me repost an old comment of mine:

"Keep in mind that EA made this deal back pre-E3, when it was assumed that Xbox was going to dominate the United States and this generation. This was also supposed to be a timed exclusive (Probably about 6 months, like PvZ: Garden Warfare).

After the E3 fallout, Microsoft hastily made a deal with EA for the lifetime, behind the back of Respawn. Zampella didn't seem too happy about that being done without his knowledge.

Because of how this gen has gone so far, I doubt EA is going to turn away from a larger install base, a greater chance of profits, and the potential to have an FPS title that can rival Call of Duty. For people that say Microsoft should just buy Respawn itself or the IP, Zampella is already rich himself, and one of the reasons he left Activision is because he didn't want to be bullied by another big-name publisher.

It could happen, but now that Titanfall is an established brand, I think that it's doubtful at best, especially since Sony isn't sitting on their hands either, rumors said that they're working on bringing it to PS as well."

TL;DR EA made a deal with MS, it didn't pan out as hoped, the sequel's up in the air.

@Darth

When Sony gets an exclusive, they pay for the development of the game, and that includes all of the costs involved with producing it. They have a policy against money-hatting to keep the games off of other platforms.

[Kingthrash360]

the way sony is selling out seems they made no mistake.

[nukeitall]

Sony dropped the ball, because they didn't have the cloud infrastructure nor the services required, so Sony did not respond to Respawns request for their massive server needs.

From there, the ball kept rolling. It was developed for Microsoft platform on MS cloud technology, and eventually MS negotiated exclusive rights It all makes sense.

The fact that Sony would give you P2P with proxy servers on KillZone: Shadowfall, a flagship launch game and IP is very telling.

All of this was all decided way before the consoles reveal this past year, and likely happened 2-3 years back.

@-Foxtrot:

"However that didn't happen did it...it's basically went the OPPOSITE way EA wanted. So now they are probably kicking themselves with how many sales they've lost because of this decision."

Maybe, and maybe not. If it was released on PS4, it might not have had the marketing push that MS is doing for EA. MS is doing everything it can to ensure Titanfall is strongly associated with Xbox, just like how Metal Gear Solid is with the Playstation brand.

Even if a deal wasn't made, well EA still had to port the game at a later date, not screw it up and still have rock solid cloud service infrastructre similar to Azure. We all know what happened to BF4!

[SmielmaN]

$60 game x 17,000,000 = 1.02+ billion $.

Is the author implying that the PS3 and PS 4 versions would sell17 million copies together? Or is this article a fanboy click bait article for a troll war in the comments section?

[asmith2306]

69 disagrees and no agrees. That has got to be a record. Nobody ruin it, lets keep it going!

[Eonjay]

How could Sony do any better than Sold Out? This article would be valid if Sony wansn't in the lead... It implies that once Titanfall goes on sale, the PS4 sales will drop to 0.

[Saigon]

The other part that is missed in this article, is that most publishers and several developers never expected Sony to have the lead they currently have in acceptance and sales. No one expected them to take over this generation as it did at the start. Most devs and publishers and even some analyst have admitted they thought MS was going to be the outright winner due to what MS was doing way early on. MS at the time when Respawn started developing Titan Fall was way ahead of Sony; from the dev units to the concept of the XBO system. Sony at the time was too tight lipped and was not willing to share anything except to a few developers of its choice about the PS4. Surprisingly, because of the path chosen from each system developer, we see a significantly flipped result in sales and overall acceptance. This was missed in the article, and I think it has more importance than what some may think.

[MazzingerZ]

It would have been a mistake to have payed for it because they wouldn't have any PS4 to sell anyway LOL

[darthv72]

@saigon: "most publishers and several developers never expected Sony to have the lead they currently have in acceptance and sales"

Kind of how the wii came and stole the sales rug right out from under MS & Sony last gen. Yet with all those sales, the wii became a dumping ground of cheap wares with some diamonds in the rough.

Not saying that would happen with the PS4 but lets hope not.

[KGutche]

I defaulted to money, because that is how the world works, but my point was fight to get the game.

[abzdine]

million dollar mistake? why is that?
game is available on PC and numbers show it's not a system seller.

[Saigon]

@darthv72

You are actually correct. I myself thought the same thing as did many others. +b

[sinspirit]

@nukeitall

Sony has the servers. Titanfall is a very simple game to host. Simple AI, Physics, and only 6v6. The matchmaking is still the same thing we've had for years. Nothing new, nothing difficult.

When you look at Sony's first party games and then look at Titanfall you can see why they didn't see passion, work, or creativity in it. That's why they didn't care about it before.

The way Killzone MP is done makes it almost identical gameplay to dedicated servers. There is no lag-switching or any cheat that you can do with your connection because it still goes through their servers too.

Dude. Microsoft cloud "technology" is no different from a regular server. It isn't even more powerful than a typical server. It is simply just a bigger server. There isn't any "designed" around their cloud like it's unique. It's not new or special. BF4 is on dedicated servers with 64 players in land, sea, and air combat with destructible environments and other intense things for a dedicated server to process. Titanfall is a 6v6, much smaller map, scripted and simple physics, and stupid AI. You do the comparison. The server isn't even designed around what it's being used for and it isn't only for Live users.

We've seriously had Runescape since 2001. We had smarter AI on that game hosted on a server over a decade ago. AI that wander aimlessly or to prescripted points are not impressive. You can hardly call them AI.

[NeloAnjelo]

Sony rarely pays for exclusives... Unlike MS, who may own the IPs but develops nothing. Gears, TitanFall, Ryse, Dead Rising, and many more.

Rather than develop IPs in house, MS rather pay to keep games off other devices. This staggers growth and developer choice, leading to an industry run by publishers and who has the most money.

Plus Sony doesn't need TitanFall to sell consoles. This game will only lead to a temporary boost for MS. If PS4 sells 1:1 in NA it's still a big achievement as that's MS's home market. PS4 will still outsell everything worldwide.

[Withdreday]

Apparently the guys at wemissedtheexit aren't too creative in creating headlines...

http://n4g.com/news/1465680...

Edit:lol, didn't even realize you might be the writer.

Seriously, come up with better headlines.

[Giul_Xainx]

Honestly..... I am sick of hearing about titanfall. It is Microsofts last chance to get a number boost before Q4 reports start coming in. This sit needs to stop already. It keeps putting titanfall in a less neutral position, and only promotes negativity.

[HurstDarkStar]

Thanks for saving me time from reading this article, I figured there'd be some contradiction to this headline in it

[TomShoe]

Thank you for not giving this guy clicks.

[Ninver]

i contributed to the cause as well, can i havez a bubbly?

[Blaze929]

win some you loose some. im sure its the same feeling Microsoft still feels about Quantic Dream to this day. Except, not as lucrative.

[805Junior805]

Sony obviously knew it was coming to PS4 and they weren't worried about it. MS HAD to do something because the XBone was such a let down and had to give an insentive for people to buy an Xbone. If this was on all platforms, do you honestly think that Sony would be pulling the same stunts as MS and give away Titanfall with a purchase of a PS4? Lol..

[Kryptonite42O]

Titanfall was secured as an exclusive long before they had trouble selling the X1 and long before it was considered a "let down"

[805Junior805]

No.... It was a timed exclusive. MS sealed the deal behind Respawns back with EA shortly before the consoles release due to preorder numbers. They knew it was a let down.

[Kryptonite42O]

Timed exclusive or not, it was an exclusive, long BEFORE E3 2013. It wasn't until E3 when people started having doubts.

"Being one of the major franchises that was rumored to be a Microsoft exclusive, this news reaffirms the speculation as a source on NeoGAF says that TitanFall will be a one year timed exclusive for the Xbox One and PC"
"will still have to wait until E3, probably the Microsoft Press Event on Monday June 10th"

It was exclusive (timed or not it doesn't matter) before E3... It wasn't until E3 That MS started pooping the bed with all their dumb policies. Before e3, many people, developers included, thougth xbox was going to dominate this gen, especially when it comes to fps in its main market of NA and EU.
So yes ill say it again... Titanfall was secured as an exclusive before E3, and long before it was considered a "let down".

http://www.playstationlifes...

[strifeblade]

you know when you say that its a back door deal and poor innocent vincent zampella had no idea what was going on... lol nad you think thats true? Well i guess everything that comes out of their mouths is true just like when they said titanfall is only possible with the cloud and microsoft dedicated servers, or the fact they went to sony and microsoft and only microsoft returned to them with an answer... lol you believe that too?

correct me if im wrong but both of these points respawn stated conflict with eachother. Here is how it actually went down. Every company including respawn know exactly what they are doing, and they dont want to piss off potential future ps4 customers, respawn took the deal because it was profitable and they needed dedicated servers somerthing sony was not offering. Even killzone does not run on dedicated servers.

[Yo Mama]

And who do you think is responsible for said "backdoor deal"? Ex Corporate Vice President of the Interactive Entertainment Business of Microsoft Corp, Peter Moore. Coincidence? I think not.

[Kryptonite42O]

"Sony came out swing, by having a Killzone launch game and redesigning their controller to be more FPS friendly. (I’m such good gamer, it doesn’t matter what controller I have, but for some ignorant people it matters."

The author claims he's this great fps gamer, but states in the paragraph before that "By the time Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 came out FPS was on the rise with no end in site. The generation started off huge, with Call of Duty 4: Modern Combat"

Modern Combat?? really..? this guy is a true fps gamer, yet can't get the title right?

Not to mention the fact that he doesn't even give Battlefield an honorable mention anywhere..

Plus I'm sure MS paid big money to keep it an exclusive.. Sony most likely didn't even have a say in the matter..

dumb article.

[ShwankyShpanky]

Between that, "no end in site," and stuff like his references to "multiplier FPS," the article appears to be the miraculous product of a functional illiterate.

[hankmoody]

Where'd you hear they wanted it on the PS? Never heard one quote from Respawn in regards to this. The surprise deal I saw quotes on but never did I see anything that specifically stated that they wanted to put the game out on the PS.

[Mikelarry]

Qoute

"When you boil it down, we would love to be everywhere, but we're just starting out," Emslie explained. "It comes down to quality, not quantity. We have a fantastic relationship with Microsoft. It just boiled down to, okay, how can we hit this as hard as can and get it on as many platforms as possible and deliver the quality, the 60 hertz, out of the gate? That was the goal.

"We of course would want to go further in the future with stuff, but we're just starting out. It's pretty frustrating! We want to be everywhere. We want to put Titanfall everywhere, but that's where we're at. We're starting there"

Source

http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

[Tony-A]

No doubt the game will do well for the Xbox One when it launches, but system seller? Most likely not.

Ignore the fact that it's on PC for a moment and look at the other platform it's on: Xbox 360

With no major graphical leap and a much smaller and less popular online community than the predecessor, I see no reason as to why anyone would buy a $500 machine to play a game that their friends are probably playing on the much more favored console (however old it may be).

There is absolutely no excuse to buy a whole new console for one game when it's available on the older one and looks/plays nearly identical.

And as for the exclusivity... unless it's a massive success like MS is rooting for, expect a "Titanfall: Heavy Metal Edition" coming to PlayStation platforms later this year.

[Ashby_JC]

Looks and plays identical??

I wasn't aware that anyone had seen or played the 360 version.

It may indeed be identical...but we the public are not privy that information.

And as far as buying a console for one game. I have done it in the past...I got a ps3 to play uncharted 2.

Yes the game is on the 360. But there are many that are looking to upgrade and this is as good a time any.

You also have to take into account that anyone buying a Xbox one for titanfall...well most likely buy games already available.....and games the future.

Just like when I got my ps3...I purchased other games then uncharted 2.

[chrismichaels04]

More like "EA lost out on a huge sales opportunity to bring Titanfall to the PS4." PS4's are selling very well right now without Titanfall. Sony doesnt need Titanfall to sell PS4 consoles....but EA definitely would have enjoyed having an additional 6 million customers to market to.

[THC CELL]

Sony did right letting this one go past them its a call of duty clone with Mech, 6v6 is very last Gen for a game like this and it will gain sales due to lack of games on the xone

Why are people digging up EA they are the worst developers ever, only games I have ever enjoyed was bf and burnout.

Its not even a next gen game lol

Xbox should enjoy this and I do hope 2 stays at exclusive so Sony can focus on when they do best.

[hankmoody]

The fact that you're saying it's a CoD clone with mechs is proof positive you haven't played the game. I usually wait to play a game before I trash it, you should try that approach.

[fonger08]

So you're saying Sony doesn't like money? Cause I'm pretty sure they need just about everything and anything to help make not only the Playstation division but Sony as a whole profitable. Whether you like COD or not, it definitely helped push both PS3s and Xboxs out the door and TitanFall will likely do the same for the X1 and even still the 360. No company wants to turn down a perhaps billion dollar game.

[Aquariusgamer]

Sony can barely keep consoles on the shelves without titanfall. How would having TF make any difference sales wise?

[fonger08]

Are you saying Titanfall won't move any consoles what-so-ever when bundled for free? Software drives console sales and profits for both companies and since both consoles are being sold at a loss, both need software to make any money.

[Ashby_JC]

I wasn't aware that ea was a developer....I thought they just published games.

[Gozer]

Sony blew its wad with the ps3 before the ps4 was launched.While MS was securing exclusives for the X1, sony was spending money on ps3 exclusives. That's why the ps4 has such a poor line up and the X1 has such a good line up now. This first year will likely belong to MS as far as games go.

[PeaSFor]

i have yet to see what "good lineup" games you are talking about.

[ramiuk1]

Yeah im kinda scratching my head about that too.
EA is involved so unless MS pay up crazy money i expect EA to have some sort of clause for them to go elsewhere,be stupid not too.

[SCW1982]

So can you please tell me the powerhouse lineup that the xboxone has cause right now I really don't see it.

[KGutche]

The current Xbox One lineup is a joke.

[ramiuk1]

i have ps4,xbone isnt what i want in a machine because of the direction MS has gone regarding media stuff,DRM will return i assure you.

but non of the systems have great library yet.
I think titanfall is MS ace and sony still has its deck covered.
Dead rising is crap
forza is boring
ryse is boring although pretty.
killzone is above average but stunning
knack is decent enough
warframe is good although i hate MTs.

i think within a few months and by the next games show it will all kick off and i expect Sony to start showing some killer games.

[JoGam]

LOL..... Dude you should be a comedian.

[avengers1978]

I don't a Sony mistake here at all. XB1 first party devs are so weak that the have to pay tons of money to get 3rd party devs to make there exclusives. And the Infamous PS4 bundle is moving more units than the TitanFall XB1 bundle.

[mike32UK]

I really would love to see you elaborate to see where you go with this....

[Majin-vegeta]

;) http://static.gamespot.com/...

[Kiddcarter]

@gozer Comments like this confuse me because I own both systems, and like 90 percent of the next gen games out now are on both systems, so this Xbox has a ton of games and ps has none stuff is stupid, yes each system has a number of exclusives, but neither system is outpacing the other soo much to the point you can say one has the games and the other doesn't, now if want to say Xbox has more games that appeal to you than Sony does, ok, but stop with this Sony has nothing to play and Xbox has it all crap, you look childish

[PeaSFor]

Im pretty sure with all the ps4 owner waiting for new games, EA must look at all those potential sales and hope the MS money bag was worth it in the long run, right now all we can do is wait&see if XbOne sales will rise because of the game(as much than MS expectation).

But....what if TitanFall dont stimulate XboxOne sales that much?

[majiebeast]

It wont stimulate Xbone sales for one Titanfall isnt even exclusive, it might cause a bump in sales for March, but after that the numbers will go back to normal.

I rather Sony spend their money on new IP's like LastofUs then moneyhat a game so it doesnt come out on other platforms. Sony rather funds games. Microsoft rather pays developers to keep their games off Playstation platforms.

[MASTER_RAIDEN]

yeah i really cant wait until titanfall is released and we can all finally come back to reality.
titan fall seems like it could be a great game and i do believe it will sell well. perhaps its release will even help ms bring monthly sales numbers close to ps4 for march/april. but one great game isnt going to catapult the xbox one to the top. xbox one has a significant gap between it and the ps4 to make up. 1 game isnt going to make that happen over night.

juuuust maybe though MS can look forward to xbox one being on top of the ps4 in monthly sales. or at least have those monthly numbers be close to ps4 numbers.

[Rhezin]

WHO cares?!…it's a great exclusive for xbox one and sets it apart from ps4, which ALSO has a lot of unique exclusives. Ps4 really doesn't need Titanfall, it would be cool if it came to ps4 but it's not necessary. If you wanna play exclusive games just buy the system it's on!

[Destrania]

'Exclusive for Xbox One' ... It's isn't even that.

[Allsystemgamer]

Titanfall isn't an x1 exclusive though.

[waltonboy52]

Really not to hyped for this. It's another FPS. Have plenty of those. I'm glad sony didn't waste there money on this. It's 6vs6. That's a joke, yes you have ai bots but I can play bots some where else why waste my money on a MP game only.

[Audiggity]

... and you clearly never actually played the game.

[THC CELL]

ai dumb lol the best ai in a mp game is killzone 2 btw what has mech and 32 players out

[Allsystemgamer]

Cell the AI isn't supposed to be smart. They're fr farming.

[Audiggity]

@THC CELL

I highly recommend reading your own comment back to yourself, out loud, prior to questioning the intelligence of anything or anyone else.

In case you missed it:

"ai dumb lol the best ai in a mp game is killzone 2 btw what has mech and 32 players out"

That's some solid work out of you. Once I get that translated I will prepare a response.

[stuna1]

But I'm sure he knows what he prefers! Microsoft trying to ensure that TitanFall appears on the Xbox 360 and PC, may in all actuality stunt TitanFall's growth on the Xbox1.

Because although the next gen is here, the fact that some people just can't afford to buy into the next gen itself regardless of preference/platform pretty much leans toward the fact that TitanFall will more than likely sell better on Xbox 360/PC simply because the middleman has in fact been cut out, which in this scenario is actually a $500 console the Xbox1.

[Audiggity]

@stuna1

You raise a good point. MS could have tied their own hands and sacrificed moving more XB1's by making this a multi-platform game.

I think this is why the PC & 360 versions are largely being ignored in the advertising/PR efforts.

PC gamers will buy just as many copies with or without promotional campaigns. It's almost like they almost want to hide the 360 version.

[GW212]

I've played it. He's correct. I probably won't buy the full retail version. If I do, it'll be after a price drop and after the remaining bugs get worked out. The X1 lineup in general is pretty horrific at the moment.

[Audiggity]

Yeah? It's horrific? Ok. Cool.

You know what IS horrific? Bill Gates, farting in your cereal. That's about to happen.

Watch your comments GW212... because Mr. Gates is... and he ate nothing but hot wings w/ extra butter.

You ain't gonna need milk when he's done.

[waltonboy52]

I have played the beta on PC. Maybe you should know something b4 commenting on someone's post

[Jsoc]

I have both the PS4 & Xone, and I played the beta it's a fun game but that's it there is nothing so amazing about it.... I found my self not even playing with the Titan I played more as a pilot than anything else.... I think I spawned my Titan like 4-5 times out of 4 days of playing.... I had more fun playing as a pilot than being in my titan and I saw a lot of gamers doing the same thing

[tigertron]

Sony doesn't need Titanfall.

[SmokingMonkey]

Yea, I would call this more of a EA and Respawn mistake than Sony's.

Personally I would rather play InFamous SS.

[Sayburr]

From my understanding, this is what happened. When Respawn started on the game the 360 was the best seller, so they assumed the One would be also... Plus, Microsoft was talking up what they had planned, but Sony was keeping mum... Plus, M$ had the "cloud" in place and $ony was not quite ready... I have not read anything that suggests money changed hands, but with EA's rep, I would be surprised if it did not.

Not to worry, PS4 fans, like Mass Effect, it will not remain Xbox only...

[Audiggity]

Well then hurry up and pre-order it! InFamous SS is falling behind quickly on the weekly sales charts.

Surprising considering how it is on a superior platform, with twice as many consoles sold and coming out nearly the same time.

Maybe it's just all of the other exclusive PS4 games coming out this month too? Too much to handle.

[lunatic0001]

anybody here play call of duty 4:modern combat???? this article has sooo many mistakes i lost count

[Destrania]

'Billion dollar mistake'? What!? Bahahahahahaha... yeah right.

[Boody-Bandit]

Billion dollar mistake? SMH
What else is there to say to this piece other than....

I think we should all step back, take a deep breath and relax. Then wait a couple months until after TitanFall hits retail. Then we can sit back and tally the totals of what impact it does or does not have on moving consoles for MS and if in fact it did payoff for them or not.

Either way I bet you both EA and Respawn are regretting not going with the PS4 and PS3 more so than vice versa. Sony is roughly 3 million units ahead of the XBOX ONE after all. Something neither EA or MS thought would happen.

[WeAreLegion]

That will come into play next time, too. There is absolutely NO WAY Microsoft wrote EA a big enough check to cover potential PS3/PS4 sales. For Titanfall 2, that check needs to add a few zeroes. Microsoft has tons of money, but they aren't throwing such a large amount at one 3rd party game in the Xbox division. That would be a mistake. They would be better off getting exclusive content for the sequels and using that money on new IP's.

[WeAreLegion]

Don't waste your time reading it. The author didn't care about his work. Why should we?

[SoapShoes]

It isn't as big a deal as this suggests and only Xbox fanboys are hyping it up. I'll rent the 360 version but I'm way more excited for Planetside 2 on PS4.

[gamer2013]

You're excited for a game that can be better enjoyed on the PC? Fanboy logic I guess.

[kingdom18]

Or maybe he doesn't have a gaming PC?

[SnakeCQC]

who approved this lol

[hkgamer]

MS made a massive deal with EA i suppose, its not something Sony could afford to do.

I also think that EA liked MS proposal on DRM which is why EA was backing them.

[SmokingMonkey]

I also think that EA liked MS proposal on DRM which is why EA was backing them.

That was the real mistake.

[izumo_lee]

I look at it this way. The 'under the table' dealings that Microsoft & EA did behind Respawn without them knowing can be more of a detriment than a positive. If you wanna gain good relations with a developer the stuff that was rumored to go down may not be the way to get in the good books.

Sure Titanfall is exclusive now but once that deal is over who's to say that Respawn may want to rethink who they deal with. They can say all the right things now but if i were Respawn i'd be annoyed that decisions were made without them knowing.

So Microsoft may enjoy Titanfall now however the sequels or any other side game may not be in play next time.

[Majin-vegeta]

Wtf is this??If anything Sony did the right thing backing up Destiny. TF is gonna go down the gutters once all the youtubers start giving people the OP classes and teaching them how to ruin the game.

Why do you guys think cod is so crap right now??cuz of the youtubers exploiting the OP classes.

[Mexxan]

I'm a Ps4 owner and love it, bit the author is full on butt hurt venting...

[corvusmd]

It never really appeared to be within Sony's grasp actually. Respawn said a long time ago that they reached out to MS and Sony for a solution on how to run this game (this is still on the respawn website). Sony didn't have a solution and couldn't run it, MS has the Azure cloud and could. Sony would have to build a network like MS has in order to run the game. so for Sony, this game wouldn't be nearly as profitable because they would have to build the network to support it (again, instead of just downvoting me...go to the Respawn site and see for yourself). Judging but all the Sony fans that continually say how much it's just COD with Mechs and it sucks cause of this or that...it doesn't appear that EA/Respawn is losing anything by putting it on XB1/360/PC. If a gamer can't play it on one of those three...they aren't a gamer.

http://www.respawn.com/news...

[Majin-vegeta]

http://youtu.be/jRKz82v5JQY

Yet it was all PR talk -_-/

[isa_scout]

I absolutely love TitanFall(already have it pre ordered on 360) but if you think for one second that the PS4 couldn't run a game with 6v6 and bots you're just crazy.
By the way I played the beta on my friends Xbox One and was very impressed. The gameplay is phenomenal, but the graphics are no where near earth shattering. It's art style more than makes up for that. Seriously though people, if the PS4 can run BF4 with 64 players why in the hell couldn't it run this? If you even remotely believe the PR spin then there is truly no hope for you...lol

[XboxFun]

Exactly, I love how everyone forgets that story that Respawn approached both companies and MS was the only one to step up to the plate.

nope, instead we get n4g trade insiders who say it was MS bribing EA or something else ridiculous.

One excuse after another, except the truth.

[hkgamer]

I wish there was a way to actually see what the azure is actually doing and how much computing power is actually needed.
Maybe one day there would be a multiplat to show us the difference.

[Jsoc]

Sony also has it .......... : PlayStation Brings on Rackspace Talent to Help With “OpenStack Private Cloud Deployment”
August 9, 2013 Written by Sebastian Moss

The ‘power of the cloud’ has been quoted numerous times by both Microsoft and Sony as we get closer to the launch of the Xbox One and PS4. Much of the debate has focused on Microsoft’s assertion that the cloud will make the Xbox One noticeably more powerful, but many have disputed it, while Sony has said that it is possible, but limited. Meanwhile, other important cloud features include Microsoft’s cheap dedicated servers for developers – which we want on PS4 – cloud saves, and, of course, Sony’s Gaikai cloud game streaming.

So, as you can see, ‘the cloud’ will be very important next gen, which is why today’s news that PSLS has uncovered is so interesting.

Rackspace – the open cloud company that recently announced plans to partner with CERN on cloud computing – will be helping Sony out with their PlayStation cloud plans.

Lanham Napier, CEO of Rackspace, said in an earnings call (transcribed by SeekingAlpha) that Sony is now an “enterprise customer” for the company, continuing:
"Sony PlayStation recently signed a services agreement with Rackspace, under which our developers and architects will be consulting and supporting the PlayStation team with their OpenStack private cloud deployment."

Elsewhere he said:
"We are the Founder and a key leader of the OpenStack cloud ecosystem, and we are the leader in providing OpenStack-based private clouds."

OpenStack is a cloud computing project to “provide an infrastructure as a service”, jointly created by Rackspace and NASA, with it’s website saying:
"OpenStack is a global collaboration of developers and cloud computing technologists producing the ubiquitous open source cloud computing platform for public and private clouds. The project aims to deliver solutions for all types of clouds by being simple to implement, massively scalable, and feature rich."

The scale of Sony’s cloud plans have yet to be seen, but are you excited that Sony is bringing on one of the cloud industry’s best companies to help?

http://www.playstationlifes...

Rackspace Hosting Management Discusses Q2 2013 Results - Earnings Call Transcript: http://seekingalpha.com/art...

[windblowsagain]

There is not mistake at all. Sony did not want to waste money on a cod/mech shooter.

Considering it's on other systems, does it really matter.

[the worst]

EA Billion Dollar Mistake

[Godmars290]

What game has made a billion dollars? On one platform nonetheless.

[hkgamer]

Its a mixture of different things tbh.

But lets make it simple and say 2.5 million people bought an Xbone because titanfall was on it and was n available for PS4.
That is 2.5 million PS4 sales gone down the drain. 2,500,000 x $400 = $1,000,000,000.

that isn't even counting the money they make from selling the game plus the money they get from selling other games to that gamer.

[Godmars290]

Game. Not game systems, but one game. Nevermind that you're trying to project Titanfall selling two and half million PS4s.

[badboy776]

Titanfall will FLop!

[thrust]

Haha the hurt!

[DanielGearSolid]

Was this website created 5mins ago?

[AutoCad]

same reason why they have to lay off people and sell buildings.

[Ko_Uraki]

Billions? At SONY they don't have a single dollar...

[Majin-vegeta]

http://n4g.com/news/1352188...

http://www.engadget.com/201...

Feels good to educate the uninformed no need to thank me :).

OT:Maybe we should wait till TF releases to see how it does.Before saying SOny it was a mistake.

[dorron]

What's so special about this game? I've seen some gameplay videos and all I can see is another COD...

[Mr_Luke]

I guess it's EA mistake... not for long, probably in the next years TF will be on Sony platforms too. I can't care less, since if i get it, i get the superior PC version.
And for my PS4 i have a lot of games anyway (and real exclusives too).

[Ethereal]

I personally would have like to have seen it on PS4 but I am okay with it being exclusive. Microsoft needs a title for people to get excited to play. In the mean time Ill be enjoying infamous and all the other great games on the horizon.

[DarkLord1003]

I doubt Titanfall will flop. Everybody who thinks that has absolutely no idea what average joe wants to play. It will succeed - it ships for 3 platforms. It's a guaranteed success...

[SmokingMonkey]

I still believe Titanfall 1 will be on the PS4

http://tinypic.com/view.php...

http://static.giantbomb.com...

[dillhole]

Dear article author: Just read through slowly and amend your mistakes -there are many. I'll get you started: "Goldeye" was NOT a popular N64 game.....and if you don't know what is wrong with this sentence:

"By the game Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 came out FPS was on the rise with no end in site"

...then maybe writing articles isn't for you.

Not trying to be a dick, but you need to proof read.

[Speak_da_Truth]

idc for Titanfall i'd much rather play inFAMOUS second son so don't blame sony Ea and Respawn made the deal with M$

[Ra3030]

I don't get it. This not being on Sony systems how does that make "Sony's Billion Dollar Mistake"? So what the author of the article is saying then is its a Billion dollar windfall for Microsoft because it's on their systems. Since that's the case I think everyone would agree we all to include Sony have got at least a billion dollars worth of entertainment watching Microsoft squander their billion. For them the billion dollar game Titanfall will need to sell a billion copies for Microsoft to make any money after the billions they've spent on buying the rights to Titanfall. Then add the marketing and paid hype cost for the game. And on top of that Microsoft is now giving it away for free. So there's no question it's Sony that turns out the real winner here in the Titanfall business. Within 6 mos EA will be begging Sony to put Titanfall on their systems. Respawn Entertainment is already wishing it was so. After all what artist would ever want their creation limited to so few?

[GraveLord]

It wasn't up to Sony. EA was the publisher. Microsoft aggressively went for exclusive rights for the game.

Sony/MS/Nintendo shouldn't have to pay for games to be on their platform. That's just ridiculous and is bad for gamers.

[DVAcme]

EA is losing more than Sony in not releasing Titanfall on the PS4. Sony is willing to negotiate with any other company, but they're neither begging nor bullying anyone. It's no big loss to not have Titanfall, as the larger sales of their inFamous bundle over the Titanfall bundle can attest. And with Sony's massive lead in sold units, EA will have mo choice but to eventually release TF2 on PS4

[Kiddcarter]

If anyone made a mistake on this, I would dare say it was Microsoft, just because of their past deals like this. Wasn't the original mass effect a Xbox exclusive? It was also published my Microsoft, yet it still ended up on ps3? Didnt Microsoft pay rockstar a reported 50 million for exclusive gta 4 content? Didnt that same content end up on ps3? By now I would think Microsoft would stop making these deals because all their doing is spending money for exclusives.....that are still making it to the competition, just titanfall will some day

[KGutche]

Covered it http://wemissedtheexit.com/...

[Kiddcarter]

That didn't cover it at all, you linked me a post about people buying titanfall on 360 vs titanfall on Xbox1, which is still money (gain) for Microsoft either way.

And lol at your disagree: so i guess mass effect and espiodes from liberty city arent on ps3 huh, and that money Microsoft paid to keep them exclusive really paid off

[Eonjay]

Actually Xbox console exclusive is EA's billion dollar mistake.

[curtis92]

you beat me to it.

[curtis92]

"EA's billion dollar mistake."

There, fixed your title.

[KGutche]

I'm sure EA made sure Microsoft paid enough money to make up for the game not coming out on Playstation.

[unicron7]

Mistake? This is EA we are dealing with here. They'll go where the money is. Titanfall is already on the PC and 360 as well. I don't see Titanfall moving XB1 units due to this. The only next logical jump is to the PS4 platform, where more customers are waiting worldwide.

[mrpsychoticstalker]

Titanfall will not come to Ps4, theres a lot of potential for Titanfall to become the next 1billion franchise.

Even if you are a cod hater, mechs and soldiers are awesome when combined.

[Indo]

Like it matters.

[Flames76]

Games that change the game each gen is always on the xbox platform.Halo with the first xbox and Gears of War with the xbox 360.Now you have Titanfall on the X1 that will change shooters again.Sony isnt leaders they are followers.While sony is doing the same thing over and over the X1 will is pushing for newer things in gaming

[Yahdaree]

This is kind of a joke to me. In my eyes EA is the one who blew it here. Just think of the sales they lost from not having it on the PS3 or PS4 system.

[static360]

http://www.digitaltrends.co...

[D-riders]

i think people are putting to much into titanfall. considering the infamous bundle is outsellinga cheaper xboxone bundle

[Picnic]

Sony made no mistake.

They have FPS covered adequately at launch with Killzone : Shadow Fall. That's for those who need to have it.

Sony were right at the height of their hubris at the launch of the PS3- Playstation players , more than any other console buyers, barely need a particular game as a particular reason to buy a Playstation. Especially after the amazing turnaround of the Playstation 3 with AAA and indie games alike gaining my life long admiration.

It's become like a tradition now that you have to wait a year or 2 for the really big guns e.g. from Naughty Dog.
But in the meantime the ease of programming of the PS4 already makes it worth buying even for multiformats and indie games alone.

Not that I did. I bought an Xbox One. When Naughty Dog release their next game I'll either sell my Xbox One or I'll get a PS4 as well.

But - my God- Xbox One visuals are relatively 'meh' you know. You can tell this stuff is DDR3. No cloud is going to make much difference to fine details. Maybe if they had the best studios. But they simply don't. I mean Remedy's great but they release 1 game every 5 years. Naughty Dog won't be losing sleep will they?

You might imagine it hurts me to say that having just spent £400. But this was an experiment to go to the 'dark side' for a bit.

I find myself playing a demo of Dead Rising 3 then going back to The Last Of Us and thinking 'so this is the future?' It's like going from a comic book to a serious novel that also happens to be more fun. I must have had a mid-life crisis where I thought that arcade games should make a comeback against Sony's dominating 'story-based character' approach.

Microsoft are going to have to make a serious buy out of a studio - an attempt on Nintendo or Sega even- or possibly make a co-joined venture with someone like Apple perhaps.
I can't see them making another console on their own.

Anyway, I look forward to Sunset Overdrive and Quantum Break and then losing about £200 for the sake of my venture - nice looking games with zero chance of a sequel from Microsoft's past history. If they think that Gears and Halo should be the future then they spend their money in the wrong places for me.

[urwifeminder]

As far as I know no sony gamers want this and they can all play it on the vaio laptops anyway in lots and lots of P.

[urwifeminder]

<edit meant don't want must have been a subconscious typo.

[PS4FEVER]

Why would they invest on a no campaign game with last gen graphics?

[WickedLester]

Titanfall will come to PS4. Just be patient. I'll gladly let Xbox owners beta test this series and then wait for the inevitably superior sequel.