Insomniac Explains Why Sunset Overdrive is Exclusive to Xbox One - Update

[Something Amyss]

Microsoft being behind Sony may actually help some developers in situations like this. They're likely to be more invested in finding ways to get exclusives, so they make concessions other publishers might not.

It might help them get the game made, but developing exclusives for a lagging console may be an issue. Especially for companies who have put some money into their titles. Insomniac looks to have spent some decent cash on SO, and so there will be sales expectations. On a single console. While this could work, it also smells like a recpie for a game industry "failure."

well i'll never get to play it, hope Xbone owners enjoy it.

For what it's worth, it really looks kind of boring. I mean, the new video makes a strong case for "Show, don't tell" by offering us high octane thrills in a voiceover while showing a fairly ho-hum shooter where you grind on things and shoot not-zombies.

 

[Hdawger]

There really are too many damn games coming out this Fall that have me waaaay too hyped, and this is one of them. Between this, Evolve, Destiny, Evil Within, Alien Isolation, Halo 2 HD Remake (Possibility), I am going to be way too busy.

 

[ShirowShirow]

Considering the last time Insomniac hashed out a deal to keep their IP they made "Fuse" of all things I can't really support them as much as I'd like on this.

Sunset Overdrive looks fun though.

 

[NuclearKangaroo]

hope we can expect a PC port in the future, or a sequel thats not an exclusive

 

[Arawn]

Interesting story to say the least. Good to see they got their foot in the door and the game got made. Honestly I'm not one to complain when either console/format gets an exclusive. Usually it does mean that the publisher got money to do so, or it's part of the contract in funding said project. Unless they're using some kind of underhanded method to prevent the other guy from getting a port. Look at Bayonetta 2. Everyone had a chance at it, but Nintendo was the only one that bit. So, yeah they get the exclusive. That surprised me since I figured the first game did so well everyone would be jumping at the sequel.

 

[gamegod25]

*nods thoughtfully* Fair enough, can't blame them wanting to own their work after all. As much as we gamers like to complain I can certainly understand the importance of freedom to use your IP and the "resources" to make it.

Shame that it won't be multi-platform (at least not in the near future) but here's hoping they find success.

 

[Roxas1359]

Keeping the IP huh? Well I can't blame them in that case. I'm actually rather surprised that Microsoft allowed Insomniac to keep the IP, because normally all 3 of the console manufacturers would have said that they get to keep the IP. Good on Microsoft for that one.

As for the game itself, honestly Sunset Overdrive is that only game I'd ever consider getting an Xbox One for. But even then I don't know. Last gen, I started off with a Wii and later got a 360. I enjoyed the 360 at launch because it had many genre that were single player. But then after 2010 the main thing I noticed was that more online multiplayer games and shooters were coming out, and then Live went up in price. I then switched to the PS3 and was gaming on both the 360 and PS3 for a while, but eventually I switched more to PS3 because I was getting more games I liked on it than the 360. I feel that will be the case for me with the Xbox One as well.

That surprised me since I figured the first game did so well everyone would be jumping at the sequel.

Actually Bayonetta 1, as I must now call it, didn't exactly do that well at all like how most Clover/Platinum games do, and is still considered niche. SEGA had a 5 game contract with Platinum Games and it didn't turn much of any profit from it, so I don't blame SEGA for not jumping at the idea of funding more Platinum games. Heck the trend still continues because Wonderful 101 completely flopped in the market unfortunately. Platinum makes games that do terrible for a long while, and eventually become cult classics. In an industry in which many people want the monetary returns right then and there, you can see where the problem is. I'm glad Nintendo took the chance with Platinum games for Bayonetta 2, but I hope they don't expect that game to move like 5 million Wii U's or something because I highly doubt it'll move that many units.

 

[Shadow-Phoenix]

I think I'm almost the only one here that doesn't mind this being what it is, I'm certainly not going to twist this story to make MS look like some saturday morning cartoon villain like some will already be doing.

At the end of the day it's en exclusive, I don't mind because I don't feel I'm entitled to have it come to my platform, I game on many different ones anyway and if we wanted exclusivity to end then that would mean every game and I mean every game would have to be made available on every platform currently out, if not then exclusivity will always stand.

I can understand the hate for exclusivity but I also understand that if we're to end it we are all to end it, not take the half the cake and eat have it for yourself while going back on your own word (take a rough guess at that anaology in terms of platforms and you'd understand).

Apart from that it looks like a decent fun looking game and good for Insomniac on their part and MS for providing what Sony could not apparently.

 

[Insideout Ink Demon]

well i'll never get to play it, hope Xbone owners enjoy it.

For what it's worth, it really looks kind of boring. I mean, the new video makes a strong case for "Show, don't tell" by offering us high octane thrills in a voiceover while showing a fairly ho-hum shooter where you grind on things and shoot not-zombies.

i wasn't paying too much attention, but i did hear that voice over boast that there were no chest high walls. not much of a unique selling point.

 

[EHKOS]

I actually get it now, because Sony is known to fuck around with studio's IPs. I'm still disappointed I won't get to play a game by one of Sony's "Big Four', but at least the devs are doing what they believe in.

 

[JagermanXcell]

Well goddamn... the only smart decision Microsoft made. Good on them... those bastards.

Now I just need to find a close psychop-friend that actually bought an Xbone so I can play such a neat looking gem.

 

[Something Amyss]

i wasn't paying too much attention, but i did hear that voice over boast that there were no chest high walls. not much of a unique selling point.

They also told us how whacky and outrageous it was, when even the "outrageous" stuff looked sorta meh.

Hopefully, the game goes full Deadpool and reminds the player how much fun they're having. Otherwise, with the content, they might forget.

 

[Hairless Mammoth]

Huh. Microsoft's poor decision making from the xbone drm snafu might have benefited someone. Good luck to Insomniac on this game being successful.

I hope this causes more devs to be able to break free from publishers scooping up their hard work and either forcing the dev to water it down with spinoffs and sequels every few months or taking the dev's IP away from them to do the same.

 

[LordMonty]

Sony to be honest probally don't care with there in house studois donig pretty good. Exclusives only happen when sony, microsoft or nintendo cough up the dosh. Bayonetta 2, Sunset Overdrive and so on.

So sony missed out on this colourful funfest, a logical thought is just to hope they have invested in something with better or equel bang for its buck down the line. And as Microsoft don't own the IP a Sequel may appear on a PS4 down the line.

 

[mysecondlife]

Keeping the IP huh? Well I can't blame them in that case. I'm actually rather surprised that Microsoft allowed Insomniac to keep the IP, because normally all 3 of the console manufacturers would have said that they get to keep the IP. Good on Microsoft for that one.

You know, this reminds me of LIMBO. The guys making it pitched it to Sony first, had disagreement on IP ownership and ended up publishing it for Xbox exclusive for a while.

If you're surprised, I'm here to say this has happened before.

But hopefully, (and maybe?) this means that Sunset Overdrive will find itself on other platforms.

 

[Mr C]

I will buy a Xbone at some point, but if this never comes to the PS4, I can see an Xbone happening sooner rather than later. Ratchet and Clank is one of my favourite series, this game looks like Jet Set Radio mixed with R&C, awesome! So long as they don't screw it up like they did with FUSE.

 

[WouldYouKindly]

So still no good reason, aside from good old fashioned just don't feel like doing it, for not making a PC version?

 

[faefrost]

Keeping the IP huh? Well I can't blame them in that case. I'm actually rather surprised that Microsoft allowed Insomniac to keep the IP, because normally all 3 of the console manufacturers would have said that they get to keep the IP. Good on Microsoft for that one.

Well not exactly what they wanted was to keep the IP and still have the publisher give them gobs of money to make it a console exclusive. That's where it gets a little unusual. It's still the gobs of money department, but it was "whoever gave us the most gobs of money with the fewest strings". I can see why SONY might have balked at that. MS seems to have been kind of desperate to secure launch or early cycle exclusives and has offered that kind of deal a few times. I suspect it will burn them long term. Note how Titanfalls developers are already guarantee'ing that Titanfall 2 will be on PS4 and will be multiplatform etc. Where would the XBox/XBox 360 brand have been if they hadn't locked Halo to their brand?

 

[Shadow-Phoenix]

Kinda find the update rather funny, especially the first poster having a 4chan type avatar along with the usual bold assumption we're apparently allowed to constantly make without actual evidence on our side, even when Insomniac provides an answer I know people (especially here) will still call it a lie until they are blue in the face or when Insomniac are hated into the ground and give into harsh demands, I wish gamers would just follow the damn games rather than dictate what should and shouldn't be made for other platforms, god forbid XB1 is allowed an exclusive at all in this day and age.