Sony Dodges Questions on FFVII Remake PS4 Exclusive Timing

Same old story, same old song and dance.

Timed exclusives are often seen as a way for one console maker or the other to deliver a bit of service to its customers, while (they hope) adding appeal to those on the fence about purchasing their product. These deals, of course, generally come with STFU clauses about just how long people have to wait. If they know, they can resign themselves to wait. If they don’t, they’re more likely to break down. That’s just how the mass market works.

That in mind, the Final Fantasy VII remake trailer included the note “play it first on PS4.” We don’t yet know exactly how long that window will be. For people who already have a PS4 as their primary (or only) gaming device, this might not matter at all, but some out there are wondering just how long the game will be a PS4 exclusive.

Asked by Gamespot about the length of time, PlayStation Europe’s Jim Ryan wouldn’t answer. Not only that, an unnamed PR spokesperson was their to cockblock any attempt to even hint at the timing. I like to imagine the latter figure wearing a cloak, and hiding a dagger. Check this out:

Another big E3 reveal for you was the HD Final Fantasy 7 Remake, which was a huge crowd pleaser. How long does the timed exclusivity deal last?

We don’t have anything to say about that at this point in time.

I understand. I remember when Microsoft announced the Rise of the Tomb Raider exclusivity deal, and Phil Spencer was engulfed by the press who were asking him how long the exclusivity lasted. I feel this issue deserves the same scrutiny.

Yes, but that whole thing was very ambiguous.

Yes, but this is ambiguous as well. No one knows how long Final Fantasy 7 is a timed exclusive for.

[PR spokesperson: “At this stage, we are announcing that it’s coming to our platform. There’s nothing else we can say, in terms of exclusivity.”]

But that is ambiguous. People who want to buy this game don’t know how long it will remain as a PlayStation 4 exclusive.

[PR spokesperson: “At this stage, we are just saying announcing the title, so it’s very common, especially at this stage, to say it’s coming and that it’s coming to our platform.]

I need a guitar. I want to have a catchy, two-second guitar solo riff that I play for moments like this. “Classic games PR” I would scream at the end of it.

Speaking for myself, the exclusivity length doesn’t even matter. I don’t care. But I am endlessly amused by moments like this in interviews. God bless the games industry.

[Source: Gamespot]