DEBUNKED: Mass Effect Trilogy Exclusive to the 360. [Archive]

SonyJunkie

07-22-2008, 15:52

Speaking exclusively to Australian 360 at EA’s European Showcase, Muzyka also stated “we said we were committed to supporting Mass Effect as a franchise and have the trilogy on the Xbox 360, and that’s still our goal”, before adding to the question of the trilogy staying exclusive with what appears to be a subtle jibe at Sony, saying “we’re always very ambitious in our goals and the most important thing is quality, so we’re never going to compromise that.”

Source:
http://xboxoz360.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/bioware-mass-effect-trilogy-exclusive-to-360-mass-effect-2-in-09/

I guess the Playstation 3 will not be seeing this RPG on their system. And I was really looking forward to it coming to the PS3.

AnonymousB

07-22-2008, 15:56

Best new IP in years. Too bad you can't play it. Maybe a reason to get a 360 ;)

A7MAD

07-22-2008, 15:57

That quote does not make me believe it's an X360 exclusive. It'd explain a lot of recent events with the X360 overhaul and OPTIONAL HDD installs, but it's not enough for me.

SonyJunkie

07-22-2008, 15:58

Best new IP in years. Too bad you can't play it. Maybe a reason to get a 360 ;)

I am getting a 360, but I like the PS3 controller better, so any game that will come out on the PS3, I will buy that version no matter what. I want to play Gears 2. So I need a 360.

arthur

07-22-2008, 16:01

well, it may change, but i have always stated that that depended on whatever clauses were there in the initial; contract between MS and bioware.

MS secured too human trilogy, seems like they may have done the same with mass effect, it may change, but now that seems ever so unlikely

Soldier 95B

07-22-2008, 16:02

Interesting news. At least we have confirmation. Now just release Mass Effect 2 with at least 2 player online co-op!

Idenowhereiam

07-22-2008, 16:05

pc or bust i say...
even though i have a 360 i'm still going to play whatever i can on the pc or ps3 1st
(but thats just because I spent so friggin much on a gaming rig before my friends decided to get me a 360)

bigjonny

07-22-2008, 16:09

Source:
http://xboxoz360.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/bioware-mass-effect-trilogy-exclusive-to-360-mass-effect-2-in-09/

I guess the Playstation 3 will not be seeing this RPG on their system. And I was really looking forward to it coming to the PS3.

do you think M$ would of handed over the publishing rights to EA without some sort of exclusivity deal?

SonyJunkie

07-22-2008, 16:10

I wish I had the money to keep up with PC gaming.

I would love to have a PC that could keep up with gaming. But I cant afford it. PC gaming i think is alot more fun, when I had a PC to play Counter Strike like 10 years ago.

do you think M$ would of handed over the publishing rights to EA without some sort of exclusivity deal?

I think Mass Effect was too big of a game and there was too much hype on it to just give it to EA. They have to of paid for it to be exclusive to the 360.

sorrow880

07-22-2008, 16:14

I actually hope it stays exclusive. They day that exclusives die will be a sad day for gaming. I can't imagine having to buy every console just because I want to play a couple first party games. When each console has tons of exclusives---1st, 2nd, and 3rd Party, buying all consoles seems much more worthwhile.

Feli

07-22-2008, 16:52

arthur

07-22-2008, 17:05

sorrow, I don't have a 360, but you're right, I'm actually somewhat getting tired of third parties going multiplat and abandoning the console they were originally exclusive on (by 'abandoning' I mean ensuring that it doesn't add to the console's uniqueness)

I am happy that I get to play Bioshock and Eternal Sonata, and I would be happy if I get to play Mass Effect, but if they were exclusive to the 360 and I am given reasons to purchase one, all the better I say.

that said, this article doesn't make me think 'exclusive to the X360'. not after DMC4's "Only Available for the Playstation 3" and FFXIII's "It will only be possible on the PS3". developers for some reason never just outright say "our game will never make it to the other console".
simply put, when EA bought bioware, they were tied to whatever contractual obligations that were in place before the acquisition.

were MS to continue with the publishing, they would tie bioware, an EA owned entity to do their bidding, and as publisher stand to make the most out of the title in terms of revenue and pushing whatever release dates there would be, it would have been a massive loss to EA.

they gave up rights to publishing to EA, but doesnt seem like it was for squat.

as far as the other point goes, whoever can secure the best games for their system, so be it, those are business models and decisions taken without us knowing, neither do they require our consent, all they need is that we live with them.
thinking about it too much will only give you a migraine:snicker

Nunalho

07-22-2008, 18:01

arthur

07-22-2008, 18:06

Kudos for Bioware, at least they are honest and know that going MP makes games lose quality. This should be a lesson to people at SquareEnix: Stay exclusive and ensure the bigest quality possible.
really? you must have been away when GTA IV, a multiplat title delivered in more ways than imagined, you must have also been away when oblivion, orange box, burnout paradise and a whole host of other games came out.

take your trolling somewhere else child

A7MAD

07-22-2008, 18:07

Kudos for Bioware, at least they are honest and know that going MP makes games lose quality. This should be a lesson to people at SquareEnix: Stay exclusive and ensure the bigest quality possible.

Well let us note of something which has a massive effect (no pun) if the title also goes to the PS3...

Read this (http://www.ps3forums.com/showpost.php?p=3117246&postcount=30), although it discusses Bioshock for PS3, Mass Effect is yet another title that uses the UE3 so it ties with Mass Effect as it does Bioshock.

Point: I bring this up because multi-platform titles do not really gimp either console version, (multi-plat) ground ups already obliterated that misconception. Unless of course developers can not apply certain tactics to even the playing field (probably like with UE3).

R3D D3V!L

07-22-2008, 18:17

With EA owning Bioware now i seriously doubt Mass Effect will remain 360/PC only.

Agriel

07-22-2008, 18:21

is that the full quote? that isn't exactly confirming its exclusive. They are just saying "it will be on the 360, and it will be a quality title." unless I'm missing another part of this.

arthur

07-22-2008, 18:21

With EA owning Bioware now i seriously doubt Mass Effect will remain 360/PC only.
buyouts have never cancelled business arrangements and contracts, EA is bound to whatever agreements pandemic and bioware had ny the time they were acquiring them

A7MAD

07-22-2008, 18:23

buyouts have never cancelled business arrangements and contracts, EA is bound to whatever agreements pandemic and bioware had ny the time they were acquiring them

I guess we have no real indication to prove anything but in theory is it possible that Peter Moore now @ EA can use some of his authority in suggesting this stay an X360 exclusive 3rd party title? Fact it uses the UE3 also might be some playing ground in favor of the X360?

Nunalho

07-22-2008, 18:26

really? you must have been away when GTA IV, a multiplat title delivered in more ways than imagined, you must have also been away when oblivion, orange box, burnout paradise and a whole host of other games came out.

take your trolling somewhere else child

What trolling, child? You are taking the wrong asumptions.

I am happy some devs are honest enough to admit quality is compromised when going MP, same could be said about Sebass when he made PES 2008.
I m not saying all of them suffered, but if devs stick with one version only they can have a bigger focus at it, simple. Good for ME.
Exclusives games are what define a gaming machine and nowadays they are becoming rare.

@ A7MAD, i am aware that UE3 is better suited for the 360, all top 3 games use it nicely. But coming from Epic, UT3 uses the same engine and it has no issues whatsoever on the PS3, it runs great. The problem is in other devs using this engine on PS3 and dont know how to work it out correctly.

Soldier 95B

07-22-2008, 18:26

is that the full quote? that isn't exactly confirming its exclusive. They are just saying "it will be on the 360, and it will be a quality title." unless I'm missing another part of this.

From the article...it's exclusive:

Bioware’s Commitment to xbox360 Exclusive Trilogy Official
In the just released September issue of Australian 360, comes the commitment of Bioware CEO Ray Muzyka “to bring the Mass Effect trilogy exclusively to the Xbox 360″.

[/URL]Speaking exclusively to Australian 360 at EA’s European Showcase, Muzyka also stated “we said we were committed to supporting Mass Effect as a franchise and have the trilogy on the Xbox 360, and that’s still our goal”, before adding to the question of the trilogy staying exclusive with what appears to be a subtle jibe at Sony, saying “we’re always very ambitious in our goals and the most important thing is quality, so we’re never going to compromise that.”
This is great news for 360 gamers who had feared a different outcome as a result of Bioware being purchased by EA, and is a stark contrast to more recent announcements concerning other third party titles going multiplatform such as Bioware’s Dragon Age and Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XIII (http://xboxoz360.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/mass_effect_characters_psd_jpgcopy.jpg).
Not only will the trilogy stay exclusive to the 360, but it will be released entirely on the 360 platform. And for our gaming colleagues who enjoy their PS3’s and Wii’s there’s still hope that they may yet get to experience the wonderful world of Mass Effect (http://xboxoz360.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/mass-effect-bioware-strikes-back/), albeit not within the Commander Shepard based trilogy.
[URL="http://www.derwenthoward.com.au/magazine_xbox360.htm"]“`Australian 360 writes “it was suggested that once the trilogy has closed the IP could begin to move in new directions.”

Husker86

07-22-2008, 18:56

From the article...it's exclusive:

Firstly, the title is either a misquote or they took it from part of the interview that they didn't give us. No where in the main interview does the Muzyka state it is exclusive to 360, read your bolded part again. Also, exclusive to 360 is wrong in itself, it's on the PC as well.

“we said we were committed to supporting Mass Effect as a franchise and have the trilogy on the Xbox 360, and that’s still our goal”Please show me where, in this quote, you see the word exclusive.

with what appears to be a subtle jibe at SonyI also don't see how the interviewer interpreted what follows this as a "subtle jibe at Sony".

ryumo

07-22-2008, 18:58

Kudos for Bioware, at least they are honest and know that going MP makes games lose quality. This should be a lesson to people at SquareEnix: Stay exclusive and ensure the bigest quality possible.

MP gaming is ruining the game industry.Um.... not really. There are a host of issues plaguing the game industry, but multiplatform releases aren't one of them.

Sparc

07-22-2008, 18:58

I've learned something very important this gen.

Everything is 100% exclusive until it isn't.

Soldier 95B

07-22-2008, 18:59

Firstly, the title is either a misquote or they took it from part of the interview that they didn't give us. No where in the main interview does the Muzyka state it is exclusive to 360, read your bolded part again. Also, exclusive to 360 is wrong in itself, it's on the PC as well.

Please show me where, in this quote, you see the word exclusive.

I also don't see how the interviewer interpreted what follows this as a "subtle jibe at Sony".

Here is a quote they took out of the magazine, which is what they have in quotes:

In the just released September issue of Australian 360, comes the commitment of Bioware CEO Ray Muzyka “to bring the Mass Effect trilogy exclusively to the Xbox 360″.

And they also mention that the responses were to a question about it being exclusive to the 360.

So now it's not exclusive when it says exclusive? I guess we will have Halo on the PS3 and MGS4 on the 360 soon. SWEET.

Husker86

07-22-2008, 19:21

Here is a quote they took out of the magazine, which is what they have in quotes:

In the just released September issue of Australian 360, comes the commitment of Bioware CEO Ray Muzyka “to bring the Mass Effect trilogy exclusively to the Xbox 360″.

And they also mention that the responses were to a question about it being exclusive to the 360.

So now it's not exclusive when it says exclusive? I guess we will have Halo on the PS3 and MGS4 on the 360 soon. SWEET.

Like I said, it's either a misquote or Muzyka doesn't know what he is talking about. Ignoring the PS3 for the moment, Mass Effect is still not a 360 exclusive. People in the industry are not like console fanboys who think the PC doesn't count.

Soldier 95B

07-22-2008, 19:36

Like I said, it's either a misquote or Muzyka doesn't know what he is talking about. Ignoring the PS3 for the moment, Mass Effect is still not a 360 exclusive. People in the industry are not like console fanboys who think the PC doesn't count.

The Mass Effect trilogy is exclusive to the Xbox 360 CONSOLE. Yes, it is on the PC as well, which is also a Microsoft Games for Windows platform, and is in the EXACT same division at Microsoft. So, it's is exclusive to only one CONSOLE. I guess Final Fantasy isn't exclusive either, and never was because it was on PC?

Multi platform console owners such as my self don't care about the PC, and never claimed that these titles didn't exist on a PC.

Of course it's a misquote...of course.

Beemer

07-22-2008, 19:37

Soldier 95B

07-22-2008, 19:38

If I've learned one thing from this generation its that no "exclusive" is safe when third parties are involved.

ME was great but had a few too many bugs. This time around Bioware should be able to sort out the issues before releasing. ME 2 should be a great game.

I can't remember the last time I played a game that didn't have too many bugs...or any less than ME for that matter. Games have gotten substantially worse quality wise this generation.

Beemer

07-22-2008, 19:47

I can't remember the last time I played a game that didn't have too many bugs...or any less than ME for that matter. Games have gotten substantially worse quality wise this generation.

All games have their bugs, agreed. But ME more than average. Frame rates, controls, charcters stuck in walls, late texture pop-ins. It didn't ruin the game, but it was more than noticeable.

Sparc

07-22-2008, 20:15

All games have their bugs, agreed. But ME more than average. Frame rates, controls, charcters stuck in walls, late texture pop-ins. It didn't ruin the game, but it was more than noticeable.
It definitely had its issues. No doubt about it. But it remains one of the best games I've played this gen. It'll go down as a classic for sure.

SonyJunkie

07-22-2008, 20:23

is that the full quote? that isn't exactly confirming its exclusive. They are just saying "it will be on the 360, and it will be a quality title." unless I'm missing another part of this.

"Not only will the trilogy stay exclusive to the 360, but it will be released entirely on the 360 platform. And for our gaming colleagues who enjoy their PS3’s and Wii’s there’s still hope that they may yet get to experience the wonderful world of Mass Effect, albeit not within the Commander Shepard based trilogy. Australian 360 writes “it was suggested that once the trilogy has closed the IP could begin to move in new directions.”

I hope that helps. There saying that its exclusive until after the trilogy. Then they can decide what they want to do.

DAMN, didnt realize someone had alrady said this. Nevermind my comment then

Infinite Daremo

07-22-2008, 20:30

I still get to play the sequel either way. At least theres definetly going to be one. Ya'll can ***** among yourselves.

Husker86

07-22-2008, 20:43

The Mass Effect trilogy is exclusive to the Xbox 360 CONSOLE. Yes, it is on the PC as well, which is also a Microsoft Games for Windows platform, and is in the EXACT same division at Microsoft. So, it's is exclusive to only one CONSOLE. I guess Final Fantasy isn't exclusive either, and never was because it was on PC?

For the FF games that did appear on the PC that is exactly what I'm saying. I've told you this before but you seem to have forgotten so quickly, the large majority of the Final Fantasy series was not exclusive to Sony platforms.

Multi platform console owners such as my self don't care about the PC

You didn't need to spell that out for me, it's painfully obvious.

For everyone else, most notably developers, the PC is considered a relevant platform.

LeisureSuitLarry

07-22-2008, 20:44

From the article...it's exclusive:

[/i][/color]

For now it is. Nothing he said was an ironclad statement that ME would always be a 360 exclusive. And, frankly, even if he had said that....remember Bioshock? Not long before they announced Bioshock for the PS3, the execs said they had "no plans" for a PS3 version. Unless a game is a first party title, I consider every game this gen as up for grabs to the highest bidder.

SonyJunkie

07-22-2008, 20:51

For now it is. Nothing he said was an ironclad statement that ME would always be a 360 exclusive. And, frankly, even if he had said that....remember Bioshock? Not long before they announced Bioshock for the PS3, the execs said they had "no plans" for a PS3 version. Unless a game is a first party title, I consider every game this gen as up for grabs to the highest bidder.

For Bioshock they said that they werent planning on a PS3 version, and they werent worried about a PS3 version, when they realized that the game sold well and the timed exclusive was up, they decided to make a PS3 version.

For Mass Effect there saying that the trilogy is going to be exclusive to the 360. The CEO from Bioware has said it. I think its going to be exclusive to the 360. So 3 of the games will be on the 360 exclusively. Any after than can be made multi plat.

LeisureSuitLarry

07-22-2008, 21:00

For Bioshock they said that they werent planning on a PS3 version, and they werent worried about a PS3 version, when they realized that the game sold well and the timed exclusive was up, they decided to make a PS3 version.

For Mass Effect there saying that the trilogy is going to be exclusive to the 360. The CEO from Bioware has said it. I think its going to be exclusive to the 360. So 3 of the games will be on the 360 exclusively. Any after than can be made multi plat.

Do we know Bioshock was a timed exclusive? Do we know ME isn't a timed exclusive? No, we have no details on the contractual agreements between MS and these third party developers. I stopped believing every word that corporate execs spook a long long time ago.

Silver&black_Attack

07-22-2008, 21:11

Soldier 95B

07-22-2008, 21:18

Anything is possible. Of course. It's possible that I could buy out Sony tomorrow.

Beemer

07-22-2008, 21:20

It definitely had its issues. No doubt about it. But it remains one of the best games I've played this gen. It'll go down as a classic for sure.

Agreed. Mass Effect didn't follow "the recipe" as many other games do. It brought something new to the table, and turned out great because of it. The decisions left up to the gamer, and amazing dialog were simply spectacular.

I'm really interested in what ME2 will bring to the table.

Einz

07-22-2008, 21:21

I just wanna play Mass Effect 2, esp. after beating Mass Effect for the first time last night!!!! If you don't have 360 get PC if your rig can run it.

I'll get both sequels for the 360 cos I hope you can transfer your character over with all that you've earned.

tragic_flaw

07-22-2008, 21:26

It's hard to imagine the second part of a trilogy to suddenly appear on a console that didn't benefit from the first episode. It's like subjecting an audience to Episode V and VI of Star Wars, and then handing them the Wikipedia link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Episode_IV:_A_New_Hope) to Episode IV.

If Mass Effect 2 came to the PS3, it would only be logical for Bioware to make the original Mass Effect available to the PS3 before Mass Effect 2 comes out...right?

EDIT: If the trilogy comes to the PS3, then let's hope it'll have even more content! I'd buy Mass Effect all over again if that happens.

Dark_Light

07-22-2008, 21:36

It was also announced that Bioshock would be exclusive...didn't happen.

For now PS3 owners shouldn't get thier hopes up, luckily I have a good PC...

Sparc

07-22-2008, 21:36

It's hard to imagine the second part of a trilogy to suddenly appear on a console that didn't benefit from the first episode. It's like subjecting an audience to Episode V and VI of Star Wars, and then handing them the Wikipedia link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Episode_IV:_A_New_Hope) to Episode IV.

If Mass Effect 2 came to the PS3, it would only be logical for Bioware to make the original Mass Effect available to the PS3 before Mass Effect 2 comes out...right?
Err...FFXIII on the 360. There are 12 other chapters a lot of 360 players won't have ever seen or played.

SonyJunkie

07-22-2008, 21:41

Do we know Bioshock was a timed exclusive? Do we know ME isn't a timed exclusive? No, we have no details on the contractual agreements between MS and these third party developers. I stopped believing every word that corporate execs spook a long long time ago.

Yea we know it was a timed exclusive. This is said from Marcus Wilding, International PR director, 2K.

"Originally we announced BioShock as a next-gen game and didn't specify platforms," stated Wilding. "Then we were approached by Microsoft and at that time that deal made perfect sense for everybody, so we did it. As far as exclusivity deals go these days, they expire after a certain time, and then it was up to us to decide if it would make sense to release a PS3 version such a long time after the 360 version. BioShock has such a huge fan base and we literally got emails almost every day from people requesting, asking for a PS3 version or asking if it would be possible.

Seems to be confirmed right there.

Beemer

07-22-2008, 21:42

Err...FFXIII on the 360. There are 12 other chapters a lot of 360 players won't have ever seen or played.

Actually none of the main FF games cross over. 1-13 have nothing to do with each other. Each have their own spin offs (like FFVII: Crisis Core deals with things from FFVII). But 360 users can play XIII without ever playing another FF and not miss a beat.

But, to help out your point...DMC4 is a good example. DMC 1-3 were never on an xbox platform.

Yea we know it was a timed exclusive. This is said from Marcus Wilding, International PR director, 2K.

We didn't know it was timed until they announced it for the PS3 months after the 360 version though. Up until that point they only said 360 exclusive, not 360 timed exclusive.

Soldier 95B

07-22-2008, 21:43

Err...FFXIII on the 360. There are 12 other chapters a lot of 360 players won't have ever seen or played.

Not to mention, not very many people bought FFXI Online for the 360 either.

Infinite Daremo

07-22-2008, 21:46

Err...FFXIII on the 360. There are 12 other chapters a lot of 360 players won't have ever seen or played.

Where does the assumption that 360 owners have never owned another branded console come from. Ive played FF I through to X. After that it lost its spark. Im sure theres plenty of people like me who have played plenty FF's.

Sparc

07-22-2008, 21:48

Where does the assumption that 360 owners have never owned another branded console come from. Ive played FF I through to X. After that it lost its spark. Im sure theres plenty of people like me who have played plenty FF's.I'm sure there are. I'm also sure that there are many that haven't. That was my point. Certainly not every 360 owner has played all the previous versions of FF. I haven't for example (mind you I'm not likely to play XIII either)

Infinite Daremo

07-22-2008, 22:22

Wasn't getting at you Sparc. Just the analogy of a whole user base as a whole usually tend to be farfetched.

Sparc

07-22-2008, 22:34

Wasn't getting at you Sparc. Just the analogy of a whole user base as a whole usually tend to be farfetched.
I never took any offence at your comment at all. I just clarified what I meant.

07-22-2008, 23:05

If people can come in here and called the CEO of Bioware a liar and consistently insist that the game will still come to the PS3.:?

~Don't start the MGS4 on 360 talk.

mynd

07-22-2008, 23:11

It was also announced that Bioshock would be exclusive...didn't happen.

For now PS3 owners shouldn't get thier hopes up, luckily I have a good PC...

Bioshock was exclusive. It's still exclusive, LOL.
NO seriously, exclusive can mean timed exclusive, as in, no other version for 6 months, a year, etc.

darky89

07-22-2008, 23:17

is that the full quote? that isn't exactly confirming its exclusive. They are just saying "it will be on the 360, and it will be a quality title." unless I'm missing another part of this.

Thank you.
I have in fact skipped a couple of pages as i just hit 'quote' when i saw that post. So i may have missed something which may make my point invalid....
But nowhere in the op does it say it is exclusive. Like Agriel has said, it merely states that it's releasing the trilogy on 360 and trying to stick to quality..... it never says something like,
"it's a 360 trilogy, don't expect it on a rival platform".

And like many others have said, exclusivity is becoming less and less prominent this generation...

Beemer

07-22-2008, 23:29

Bioshock was exclusive. It's still exclusive, LOL.
NO seriously, exclusive can mean timed exclusive, as in, no other version for 6 months, a year, etc.

True, the literal meaning still stands. Although there is a difference between announcing a timed exclusive (like Last Remnant) where everyone knows its coming out on another platform, and just never mentioning the second console.

In one case, a person would have to buy a 360 to play the game. In another, they could just wait a few months and save themselves $400. It does matter.

StoneWolf

07-22-2008, 23:30

I seriously hope that the HDD install that Microsoft has planned works with every game in their library, because honestly, Mass Effect is completely unplayable for me on 360. The texture pop-in is way too distracting.

Looking forward to experiencing the full game when I can install it on my Elite. :)

mynd

07-22-2008, 23:32

True, the literal meaning still stands. Although there is a difference between announcing a timed exclusive (like Last Remnant) where everyone knows its coming out on another platform, and just never mentioning the second console.

In one case, a person would have to buy a 360 to play the game. In another, they could just wait a few months and save themselves $400. It does matter.

Well, in the case of Bioshock, it was a genuine exclusive until the day decided to port, which was after it was released.
But the net effect is the same, don't ever expect game companies to tell you the truth when it comes to selling games. Especially timed exclusives, I'm pretty sure it's in the contracts that they aren't allowed to refer to it as "timed".