Dev: The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Has "Healthy" PS4 Exclusivity Period

Adrian Chmielarz reveals that the game has a temporary exclusive agreement for PS4, and there's no telling if the game will ever make it to Xbox One.

[AHV]

It's always good to take the time to optimize for each platform, I think.

[Mega24]

I still think third parties/indies, should be released at the same time, I really hate third parties to be exclusives, it seems this is the new thing of this generation

[TheUltimateGamer]

I'm right there with you. Stalls the process. Why can't we all just get along!?

[LordMaim]

Not every indie developer has the time, manpower or resources to program for multiple platforms simultaneously, and it is usually that early release that funds development for other platforms.

It doesn't help that Microsoft still has their parity clause in place, forcing indie developers who want to eventually release on both systems to sign a timed "exclusive" agreement with PS3/PS4.

Ironically, the loophole in the id@Xbox contract that allows staggered releases only if the developer has an exclusive agreement with a competitor, has only driven more indie developers to release on the Playstation first rather than hold back until both versions are complete. It has colossally backfired, and needs to be scrapped.

[JP1369]

You must be new to gaming. Third party exclusives used to be common up until the last generation. The fact that they're seeing a return seems as if it's mostly due to the indie scene needing to secure funds for development.

[ABizzel1]

@Mega24

3rd parties yes. Indies; however, don't always have the team, money, or time to do that. They have to make their money on the first platform then use the money they earned to port the games elsewhere.

[starchild]

Wait, why are they referring to this as a PS4 exclusive? It comes out on PC this month and there is no release date for the PS4 version. All last generation people said that if a game is on PC and a certain console then it isn't an exclusive.

[DLConspiracy]

Not all can afford to do that though. It would be nice though.

[BitbyDeath]

@starchild, I agree with you but everyone has a different view on it.

[geddesmond]

New thing of this generation? Yeah for Sony considering The Xbox 360 got loads of third party exclusives last gen. Some of which finally came to the PS3, others that never came and a few that were promised but never arrived.

Also yes third party exclusives suck on any platform but as much as I'd love to see that stop I don't think we ever will see that.

[kaiserfranz]

This really looks nice, I hope Xbox One gamers will be able to experience it too at some point.

[GodGinrai]

I guess five PS4 fanboys dont want Xbox owners to have this game. Good thing its not up to them! lol

[jonboi24]

Yeah unfortunately MS parity clause will be an obstacle. A stupid thing that I hope MS gets rid of. It doesn't really help small devs.

[LavaLampGoo]

I'm getting very tired of exclusives... I don't even have a Xbox One but I dunno, its nice to hear about a game and get excited about it without worrying it will get cut out from under you.

[Alexious]

Well, exclusives have always been the bread and butter of consoles. I doubt they're going away any time soon.

[--bienio--]

Pc version for me:D

[GodGinrai]

Ill probably pick this up for PC or PS4 anyway. Depending on which version offers better graphics.

[Fishy Fingers]

There's no question which will, merely depends on your PC/game requirements.

[GodGinrai]

guess Im getting the PC version ;). I was trying to not be smug about it. I got an Nvidia/ASUS GTX670 OC mated to a corei7 (3770K)and 32 GB of ram. Should be just fine.

[Seafort]

Will be getting the PC version on the developers website to fully support them.

Can't wait for release as it's out in 2 weeks on PC :)

[theXtReMe1]

I would actually prefer games releases be staggered, that way it gives the developers time to optimize each game for each platform, instead of developing for a bunch of them at once and opting for the lowest common denominator, so that there is some sort of parity across platforms. With them developing exclusively for the PS4 first, PS4 owners will get the best version of the game they possibly can... that takes advantage of the hardware. If it comes later for the Xbox One, it also gives them the best game they can get for their system because the developers are developing for only that system at that time and not stretching themselves across different platforms, which usually leads to less optimization per.

This game looks like it will be a lot of fun and I can't wait to finally get my hands on it, whenever it releases.

[Seafort]

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is getting a staggered release with the PC version in 2 weeks and the PS4 version sometime in 2015.

Xbox One version is all up to MS and their draconian parity clause.

[odderz]

I struggle to think of exclusivity - timed or otherwise - as positive in any sense. Having said that, I do think it's good to properly optimise a game for each platform, delays be damned.

[Gamerbeyond]

theyre saying, were gonna see how much we can sell on the ps4 than compare that time period to see how much we can sell on the xbox1. smart in a way, use that to cater to either console for sequels or different games.

[mochachino]

I hate console exclusivity of 3rd party games. Gamers on both sides only lose.

[ultralow]

will pick up on pc not waitting till sometime next year for ps4....2weeks cant wait

[S2Killinit]

cool. It will be a day one for me.

[Aurenar]

I see that Xbox is always a second choice in this generation.

[ghostface9]

ya when ps4 pays for timed exclusive rights xbox will get the game after you idiot

[PrinceOfAllSaiyans]

But Xbots don't care about indies ?

[turdburgler1080]

Well looks like it's time to start screaming like children and throwing $#!+ at the walls. Exclusivity. Such a dirty word.