Finally the speculation can come to an end. Since being announced and generating a shitload of buzz, it has been assumed that Titanfall was a launch exclusive for the Xbox and PC platform and that it would come to PS4 eventually. Now all has been revealed by none other than Vince Zampella from Respawn in a series of Tweets.
These Tweets seem to suggest that Respawn had focused on Xbox One so as not to stretch themselves seeing as this is their first game, and that a PS4 version would be released eventually. In stepped Microsoft and a deal was done with EA for total exclusivity.
This sets a very interesting scene for the upcoming next-gen console/shooter war.
Firstly, there's the elephant in the room in Call of Duty. Despite being multiplat, it's essentially a defacto Xbox exclusive. However, it's next-gen buzz seems weak, and the gameplay footage being shown is very underwhelming. But how will Activision react if MS start pushing Titanfall as the next big thing on Xbox One? Not just because it's a rival to CoD, but also because of the bad blood between Zampella and Activision. Will this push CoD toward the PS platform? Already the early buzz is that the PS4 version of Ghosts is the better one, so it's possible. Or will Call of Duty fail to transfer it's fanbase to the next-gen and lose it's spot as the king of the hill?
The bigger issue however, is that whichever way you look at this, it seems like Respawn are being fucked over big time. EA has seemingly denied them the opportunity to build a big multiplat fan base for a new IP whilst pocketing a shitload of cash for themselves. Whether any of the exclusivity deal cash even goes to Respawn is not clear. Even if does, I'm sure Respawn would prefer the additional sales which would grow tenfold for the sequels. Now the fact that EA also have Battlefield 4 and are pushing it hard gives rise to a little conspiracy thinking. EA pocket huge cash from MS and keep Titanfall from competing with Battlefield 4 on PS4. Win win for EA and big time lose for Respawn. Didn't they leave Activision to get away from this?
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