PlayStations Exclusive Content Looking Pretty Stale, Microsoft May Still Have Edge (PS3, 360)

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We've been pretty concerned over the last while concerning Exclusive Content on the PlayStation 3. While exclusive content for different versions of games has been around for quite some time fueling the flames during the console wars, it seems that Microsoft's great innovation during the current generation. With Microsoft, it hasn't really seemed to be about getting exclusive titles but rather about purchasing exclusive downloadable content that can only be found on the Xbox 360 version of games i.e. Grand Theft Auto IV Episodes of Liberty City. But, now that the console market is catching up in terms of PS3 sales, Microsoft are starting to lose that edge that developers are gaining or rather have been gaining more confidence in the PS3 since its price drop that was coupled with the release of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves in 2009. Though Microsoft refuses to give up that innovation by finding new ways to obtain that exclusive content, Sony could be gaining ground.

Sony have chosen to jump in and play Microsoft's exclusive content game. As games are much more costly to develop this generation, unless Sony themselves have purchased development companies to bring into the PlayStation family, many of them have gone to work for Microsoft as well. Though the games aren't nearly as popular on Xbox 360, PS3 outselling some 5-1, Final Fantasy has really made its move as well as Square-Enix to Microsoft hardware. A hardened Hideo Kojima that resisted development on Xbox hardware has developed more for the Xbox 360 now going so far as to port just about all of his Metal Gear games as well as a random release of the Zone of the Enders franchise. While Sony have managed to maintain more exclusives than Microsoft with many PS3 gamers hoping for the purchase of Indigo Prophecy and Heavy Rain fame Quantic Dream to drive the nail deeper in Microsoft's coffin, we're concerned that Sony may not be playing their cards as well as Microsoft within this area in the DLC House That Microsoft Built.

While we give kudos to Sony for jumping on the bandwagon and delivering stellar DLC as a whole, what concerns us more are the exclusive deals they are making with companies. Now, Microsoft haven't quite burned Sony with the acquisition of their 'First On Xbox 360' deal Microsoft have going with Activision concerning Call of Duty DLC, its only a month early and that deal is only good a little bit longer with Acitivision unlikely to renew in the future, Sony have chosen to counter rival Microsoft by going to Activision rival Electronic Arts, which surely weren't reluctant to make some extra cash and accept the deal from Sony. But, this is where we're concerned.

EA still has to know something that Sony doesn't and what sort of a contract was signed behind closed doors between either SCEA CEO Jack Tretton or President and CEO of Sony Network Products and Services and Group CEO newly appointed former SCEE CEO Andrew House spoke with EA CEO John Riccitiello (man that's a lot of acronyms) is uncertain yet, while the deal with EA concerning Dead Space 2 and Dead Space: Extraction was an interesting deal, we feel that Medal of Honor and Battlefield 3 were most certainly not.

Now, until we see actual numbers, this is merely a theory, to a point, but we figure that there likely weren't a large number of game adopters picking up Battlefield for the first time with he launch of Battlefield 3 but that those whom did purchase Battlefield 3 were long time fans of the franchise. Secondly, we still believe that EA may have left a bitter enough taste in the mouths of those who chose to give the beta a try felt so bad that the predicted defection of Call of Duty fans to Battlefield 3 just isn't going to happen and its back to drawing board for DICE to regroup and figure what to do next. For Sony, their exclusive deal with EA, in terms of fighting fire with fire isn't looking to great if Sony's looking to sell software. Its like using a torch against a flame thrower. Sure it can still start a fire, but the flame thrower is fueled and burns hotter and faster. I'm referring of course to EA's inclusion of Battlefield 1942 with the PS3 version listed as exclusive content to the PS3, which actually never really even happened as the game wasn't included on the blu-ray disc apparently.

Battlefield 1942 was included in the Limited Edition Battlefield 2: Bad Company which was released both on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Again, we're hypothosizing that Battlefield 3 didn't necessarily draw a new crowd but, it certainly wasn't for 1942. Those who did purchase Bad Company had gotten the game anyway already sitting on their HDD. What's more, Sony inked a deal with EA that the PlayStation 3 would receive DLC one week earlier than the 360 version. We're not sure if this would even make a dent. Its one week! This is going against a month early for several years on Xbox 360.

Sony, we know you're capable of delivering great content. Your first party games are stellar and we know its there but, DLC is something to consider a little more carefully if you're seeking success with software sales. As right now, Microsoft are giving you a run for your money and they're not really having to buy things up. Granted we've heard a little more from developers about what's going on behind closed doors with Microsoft's stipulations but, they're in the lead here.

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