Microsoft and Square Enix have confirmed that the next installment in the rebooted Tomb Raider video game franchise, Rise of the Tomb Raider, will be released in 2015 as an Xbox One and Xbox 360 exclusive title. There has been quite an uproar over the news. While no platforms or exclusivity arrangements for the game were announced at the 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo, the title was revealed during the Xbox Media Briefing for the convention. The news comes as a blow to Sony console owners and users. The franchise has been a staple on PlayStation consoles since the first title in the franchise was released for the PS1 in 1996. Considering that the franchise has been multi-platform in the past, this is surprising news. However, Microsoft and Square Enix did nothing wrong by making this arrangement. As the old cliché goes, business is business.
Obviously, Microsoft invested in the property and compensated Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics for this arrangement. How is this unfair? Sony has its own exclusive properties for the PlayStation console. Are Sony and Naughty Dog terrible companies because Uncharted is not multi-platform? No. That very notion is ridiculous. There is no law that says that Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics have an obligation to make sure the Tomb Raider franchise is multi-platform.
It is similar to the uproar over the exclusivity of Bayonetta 2 for the Wii U. The reason that is happening is because Nintendo is financing the sequel. Had it not been for Nintendo, the game never would have been made at all. Triple A titles constitute a considerable expense. Some promising titles are now left dead in the water because of a lack of finances, bankrupt publishers or because they did not meet certain sales quotas. Nintendo invested in the development and creation of a Bayonetta sequel, it earned the right to exclusivity.
In addition, in an interview Eurogamer, Microsoft’s Phil Spencer admitted that the exclusivity deal for Rise of the Tomb Raider has a “duration.” Much like Resident Evil’s “exclusivity” on the Gamecube in the early 2000s, this is not even a true exclusivity deal. While Spencer seemed uncomfortable discussing the subject, it appears that there is still a chance the game could later be released on other consoles.
The reality may be disappointing for Tomb Raider fans; but if the game is that good and you get it eventually, what is really the problem? It is true we live in a culture of immediate gratification, but petitions and boycotts will not work in this case. Obviously, Microsoft made the best offer here. However, this is not a case of Halo and Gears of War being destined to stay on the Xbox. The fans who are angry over the situation are not addressing why it is wrong for companies to pay for console exclusivity. Regardless, Rise of the Tomb Raider will hit Xbox One and Xbox 360 for the holiday season in 2015. A PlayStation 4 release sounds like its still up in the air.
That’s the truth!
Spencer never said it is a timed exclusive…he said that “microsoft doesnt own the IP”. Make no mistake…this game is exclusive to xbox one. After this release the developer can take the franchise wherever it wants…but i wouldnt be surprised if it stayed an xbox one exclusive since its a more powerful machine than ps4 with the cloud and EsRam tiling power. Ohhh i know that hurts my little ponies…only a matter of time.
Actually incorrect, it’s going to Xbox 360 as well. He said: “Yes, the deal has a duration. I didn’t buy it. I don’t own the franchise.”
So make of that what you will. It is corporate double-speak, but it sounds like this is a timed exclusive title to me.
Forzafailever stop spreading fanboy lies, FUD, and hatred and get mental help.