5 exclusives Microsoft stole from Sony

Nothing sell consoles like exclusive blockbuster games, nothing. Microsoft knows this, and have made it their strategy to grab as much exclusives away from Sony as possible, even if it means paying tens of millions of dollars for the steal, they will.

Today we'll look at five PS3 exclusives snatched away by the software giant, bolstering the Xbox 360's lineup and stealing Sony's thunder in the process.

Final Fantasy XIII ~ The announcement was made by Square-Enix at E3 2008 and it single handily changed the atmosphere in the building. PS3 fans were furious and rightfully so. Arguably one of the main reasons they bought their PS3 was to experience FFXIII, and to hear that it would be multiplatform was just too much of a blow at that moment.

Folks have moved on, but that's not to say, PS3 fans have totally forgiven Square-Enix; but they should, one can't be bitter for the rest of this generation just because a publisher wants to make more money with their games.

GTA IV ~ Rockstar's super original open-world ganster game is the biggest entertainment launch of all time. That's because the company released it for both the PS3 and Xbox 360. It was one of the biggest PS3 exclusives, and again, Sony fans were not too happy about loosing exclusivity, and with good reason. However, there's a lot to be taken into consideration, game development cost anywhere from 15-20 million dollars these days, the Xbox 360 has a larger base in the U.S., where GTA sells the most. So although it was not an easy decision for Rockstar, it was in a lot of ways necessary to go multiplat.

Rumors abound that Microsoft helped ease the burden a bit with some cash, but that's just speculation right?

Metal Gear Solid: Rising ~ I know, your first argument is, 'well it was never announced as a PS3 exclusive.' But don't you know that once it says Metal Gear Solid, the first platform it's recognized on is the PS3? At this year's E3, Hideo Kojima announced that Rising would be coming to the Xbox 360, leaving the gaming world stunned.

Microsoft said later that it was always there goal to get one of the last standing big name games on their console and with Metal Gear Solid: Rising coming to the 360, Sony no longer has the advantage in the exclusive department. I wonder what they did to accomplish said goal?

Devil May Cry 4 ~ The first title was epic, the best in the entire series to me. Dante gun wielding, and sword handling abilities were never yet seen in games prior to the super hero's arrival. It was a fresh dose of gameplay experience that could only be enjoyed on the PS2 game console. Devil May Cry 2 was released next, again on the PS2 followed by part 3.

Needless to say, when Capcom announced that DMC4 would not only be available for the PS3, but also Xbox 360, people were furious, it was really hard on PS3 loyalists who saw exclusive after exclusive leave the black behemoth and go the multiplatform route.

Tekken 6 ~ Tekken 5 was an exclusive, so naturally people thought part 6 would be, well to everyone's surprise Namco announced the game as a multiplat. Another big one lost.

No doubt, Sony was dealt a serious blow when so many of the awesome games that were once exclusive to the PS brand went to the Xbox 360 because of Microsoft's hardball and just plain economics. But the hardware giant had a strategy of its own, a strategy that would place them in the strongest position they've been in for this generation.

Sony strengthened its base, and because of that very clever move, exclusive after exclusive is being poured out on gamers, leaving the competition no room to breathe. The way they see it, God of War III, MAG, Heavy Rain, GT5, Killzone 2, Infamous, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and many more are enough to keep PS3 owners happy. The question is, are you satisfied?

10/28/09 Ernice Gilbert