badgenome said:
Not really the same situation since EA was certainly not paid by MS and Sony to kill the Wii U version. They just didn't see it as worth doing. It doesn't mean that Crytek could have just decided to self publish it without EA's okay if they were a licensed Nintendo publisher. All we can conclude from this is that they aren't a Nintendo publisher and didn't see it as worthwhile to become one, so the story ends there. If we're agreeing that EA has the exclusive right to publish Titanfall, then not only does that preclude Respawn from signing a deal for Activision or anyone else to publish it, too... it would also prevent Respawn from self publishing a version to directly compete with EA's release. (In other words, bank on Titanfall being an Origin exclusive on PC and not seeing a Respawn published Steam release.) |
Actually I use that link to show that publishing deals are complicated. Crytek stated they could not release a Wii U version because they do not have a license to publish games on the Wii U. The Crytek boss made that pretty clear and I am sure its not worth his company time to invest in getting a publishing license with Nintendo when they have already signed something with EA.
Yes, Respawn gave EA exclusive rights to publish their games for a certain time period. We do not know the nature or complexity of the agreement. Is it five years, 2 years, is there a buyout you name it. We do not know after the deal is done what Respawn can and cannot do. With both MS, Sony and Nintendo both having online indie friendly infrastructure, who's to say they could not go that route after their deal with EA is done. You only have to look to MS to see that once deals are done, developers are free to do whatever they like. Is it so hard to believe that Respawn negotiated similar deal.
My major problem is that there is a lot of unknowns but you are quick to call the developers liars without knowing anything about their business, deals and how they manage their business. The complexity of developing games alone require developers to be smart and not take on more than they can handle. Just because you did not like their answer to a very complex problem doesn't mean they have to lie to you or anyone else. Instead I am believe that Jason and Vince, veterans of this industry know what they are doing and will do what they cannot to make sure they are successful. The thought that EA would make some deal with MS, then come to Vince and Jason and say "We made this deal so you have to live with it" after the stuff they went through with EA before and then Activision, Yeah, I am really not buying that angle.
