Microsoft's Shane Kim: Metal Gear Solid on Xbox 360 Shows "Level Third-Party Playing Field"

143 Comments

Posted June 16, 2009 - By bleahy

Microsoft Shane Kim In an interview with Gamasutra, Shane Kim spoke about Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid coming to the Xbox 360 with Metal Gear Solid: Rising. He feels that the title puts Microsoft and Sony on the same page when it comes to third-party titles.

"I still think exclusive content is really important. First of all, in games, we've said for a long time that a key part of our strategy with Xbox 360 was a level third-party playing field. Now we've effectively done that with Metal Gear Solid coming to the Xbox 360."

Wait, even? Sure, Metal Gear was one of the few remaining franchises to snag from a third-party publisher, but I would have called it even at Final Fantasy XIII, Resident Evil 5, and Tekken 6. Actually, I'd put Microsoft ahead with those titles as MS keeps snagging exclusive DLC like the Grand Theft Auto IV episodes and (until recently) the Fallout 3 DLC.

Sony is even announcing multiplatform games (Final Fantasy XIV) as "only on PlayStation 3" even though no exclusivity deal is in place and Square Enix is still considering the Xbox 360. Hey, at least the PSP gets Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker, which Hideo Kojima is writing and directing.

Mr. Kim goes on to discuss Xbox Live and how he feels that Live should be counted when discussing exclusive content.

"But I also think we have to broaden our definition of exclusive content now. It has to include things like Xbox Live, because I do think Xbox Live is a real competitive differentiator for us."

I have to agree. It's a bit weird to discuss Live's superiority on a day when it's down for maintenance, but it really is a better service than PSN. Yes, it costs an "appalling" $4 a month, but the experience is worth the cost in my opinion. Feel free to debate me in the comments section, but let's keep it civil.

In general, I think most third-party publishers will look to supporting as many consoles as economically feasible. Shane Kim humbly agrees with me:

"The economics are such that third parties also have to support multiple platforms, and you can't ignore Xbox 360. It's the second leading platform.

It's too much of a business-driver to just be focused on a single platform if you're not a first party. So, it's up to the first parties to deliver the bulk of the exclusive game content."

Or maybe I agree with him? The chronology is a little fuzzy. In any case, multiplatform games are a good thing as it means more games for more people. Exclusives are classically positioned as system-sellers, but Sony seems to be having some issues with this as well, looking at the sales numbers for Killzone 2 and inFAMOUS (at least in the US). There's always God of War III, right?

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Tags: Videogames, Xbox 360

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showtimefolks

i been playing resistence 2 and killzone 2 online non stop i never have lag how about explain how one gamers connection is fine maybe its ur internet have u ever thought of that i play wireless and never had an issue

Posted: June 16, 2009 9:10 PM
showtimefolks

one more main thing ps2 didn't start out with great success hell even some of the main triple AAA titles came later on in ps2's life cycle

there is a world that exits out side of usa money is money where ever you sell game

europe
canada
worldwise

killzone 2
infamous

how about if we get all those numbers cause i tell you one thing before infamous 2 or killzone 3 come out both games will sell between 4-7 million by than so end results will be just as good

Posted: June 16, 2009 9:08 PM
showtimefolks

Adrenalyn915

I agree with u and like i said one day cause of psn xbox live will be free....that's 50 bucks but i think their best live is like 65 or 70 so from what i understand there is different kind of xbox live membership too i rather buy a great game or dlc like u said

Posted: June 16, 2009 9:06 PM
showtimefolks

you know what i am a proud owner of ps3 and don't hate xbox but it seems like every chance microsoft gets to tell people how great their console is they do low blow or whatever:

my thing is this since fall of 2008 ps3 has gotten a lot og great exclusive games and the way e3 went its only the start we will soon see another xbox and hate psn for all i care i play online and love it but one day cause of psn uall xbox owners will get free xbox live

Posted: June 16, 2009 9:03 PM
Adrenalyn915

@ All of the people jabbing at Sony fanboys who complain about XBL's price...

YES, $50 A YEAR IS NOT A LOT, WE GET IT! But that $50 is money I could be using to buy another game, or DLC, and personally I would rather not pay for a service that I can get somewhere else for free. Yes, $50/year is almost nothing, but to quote a great movie: "It just so happens that your friend here is only MOSTLY dead. There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive." In other words; paying little, is still paying (slightly alive is still alive), so I would rather not pay, then pay.

P.S. - Trivia: What movie is that from??

Posted: June 16, 2009 8:56 PM
Adrenalyn915

@ Ark117zero

You sound like Micro$oft: "Your XBox 360 didn't scratch your disc, you did." Response: "Then how the hell do you explain the perfectly circular scratch on my disc?" M$: "Oh, you must've moved it..." (*cough* BS *cough*).

If it is my connection, then explain to me this...
If my XBox 360 and PlayStation 3 are sitting right next to each other, I don't have any lag on my PS3, but a ton on my XBox 360, who is at fault? Me? Again ... BS!

Posted: June 16, 2009 8:49 PM
Adrenalyn915

@ Ark117zero

You sound like Micro$oft: "Your XBox 360 didn't scratch your disc, you did." Response: "Then how the hell do you explain the perfectly circular scratch on my disc?" M$: "Oh, you must've moved it..." (*cough* BS *cough*).

If it is my connection, then explain to me this...
If my XBox 360 and PlayStation 3 are sitting right next to each other, I don't have any lag on my PS3, but a ton on my XBox 360, who is at fault? Me? Again ... BS!

Posted: June 16, 2009 8:47 PM
KharismaKid

@blasphemous

I understand. Are you gonna go for that bounty?

Posted: June 16, 2009 8:28 PM
blasphemous

@yamato101

no that is not what I was thinking. I was thinking "man, he just put price on bleahys head. and didnt even put on there j/k or anything like that. how uncool"

Posted: June 16, 2009 8:07 PM
KharismaKid

@Blasphemous

I spelled "THATS" wrong! lol I typed "thta's" WTF!! Damn iPhone!

Posted: June 16, 2009 8:02 PM
KharismaKid

@blasphemous

I'm not a PS3 fanboy if thta's what you're thinking. I read that bounty at Sonydefenseforce.com (ITS A REAL WEBSITE)

Posted: June 16, 2009 7:59 PM
blasphemous

Posted by Yamato101 - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 7:24 PM

"Brian Leahy: Xbot #1

There is a bounty on this man's head.
$500,000 DEAD
$1,000,000 ALIVE (And a free White 500GB PS3)

-Sony Defense Force"

not cool dude, not cool at all

Posted: June 16, 2009 7:44 PM
blasphemous

okay, now that I have read everyones comments and the "article", i have to say that bleahy is NOT biased. However, bleahy, you did make some unjustified jabs at Sony. You know it, we know it.

As for "The Feed" being a news site and not an op-ed, when you have the tagline of "news for the Digital Generation" it does lead one to think that you will be recieving the...wait for it...NEWS!! But I cant complain, I like the differnt writing styles here.

Also, all you silly xbots just dont get it. YOU ARE NOT GETTING MGS. YOU AND THE SONY FANS ARE GETTING MGSR!!! notice the "R". but i forgot, you xbots dont have reading comprehinsion(sp)

Posted: June 16, 2009 7:40 PM
KharismaKid

Brian Leahy: Xbot #1

There is a bounty on this man's head.
$500,000 DEAD
$1,000,000 ALIVE (And a free White 500GB PS3)

-Sony Defense Force

Posted: June 16, 2009 7:24 PM
Nofanboy

@RRODisback

Same things goes for a articles about PS3 still find a way for xbox am I right?

Posted: June 16, 2009 6:57 PM
Nofanboy

@infamous_bizzaro

Hey who cares about seeing Kojima games move to xbox. It not like everybody going to sit there waiting for his another MGS series. Hell alot of gamers doesn't really about MGS anyways only fanboys does.

Posted: June 16, 2009 6:55 PM
ProjektX13

@Everyone

i believe the Xbox Mafia won this one.

Posted: June 16, 2009 6:54 PM
makaveli29

This is my last post. Mr. Leahy, really? Accusing me of being biased? What's next? "I know what you are but what am I" defense? I think you're biased and that's my opinion. I'm entitled to it as you're opinion is about the 360. Have a goodnight!

Posted: June 16, 2009 5:56 PM
makaveli29

I'm not your typical fanboy but I actually know what I'm talking about. I owned the PS1 PS2 and now PS3. I have a loyalty to the product as a consumer. You're a journalist. You're not supposed to be loyal to any brand. Unless you're writing an article that is clearly in the opinion section. Your articles are in TheFeed section of the news.

Posted: June 16, 2009 5:51 PM
makaveli29

Bias: a particular tendency or inclination, esp. one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice.
i.e. Brian Leahy

Posted: June 16, 2009 5:47 PM