Sony has insisted it doesn’t need to respond to Microsoft’s FIFA 14 giveaway deal with Electronic Arts, reiterating that relationships between the PlayStation console maker and the publishing giant remain strong.
Speaking to MCV, Jim Ryan, head of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), said that the level of pre-orders achieved by PS4 ensurs such a move isn’t necessary.
“No, no. We have over 1m pre-orders, so why would we need to do that?” said Ryan, in response to whether Sony would react to Microsoft and EA’s partnership.
“We had to switch off day one pre-orders, we are now onto day two, so why would we pour gasoline onto the fire? Platform holders and publishers run pre-order campaigns, and if you need to increase momentum then they dial it up a little bit with some promotional stuff, it’s a rational thing to do. But do we need to do that? No.”
Turn the page to see what Ryan had to say on the relationship between EA and Sony.
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Speculation has been drumming up that relations between Sony and EA have become strained, but the executive dismissed such claims.
“No, not at all. It’s common knowledge that EA has done a deal with Microsoft, but all of its games – Battlefield, Need for Speed, FIFA – are all on PS4. In fact, the only platform you could play Battlefield 4 at Gamescom was PS4. Try and find that on Xbox One.”
PS4 and Xbox One are both due for release in November. Sony’s machine launches in the U.S. on November 15 and in Europe on November 29, while Microsoft’s new box hits stores in both regions on November 22.
Stay tuned to PSU.com for more details.