Take note folks, this is how you mess up a game deal. Today, GamesIndustry.biz confirmed that the Xbox 360 will be the only console that’ll receive exclusive episodic content for Grand Theft Auto IV.
Previously, both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 were to receive exclusive content but it looks like the deal finally fell through for the PlayStation 3.
How did this happen? It was speculated a few months ago that the reason Sony didn’t gobble up this exclusive contract was simply due to financial reasons. At the time, Sony just launched their PlayStation 3 — so because of the insanely high costs to develop and manufacture its new console, Sony had to sacrifice potential gaming contracts and future cash cow opportunities.
It was reported that Ken Kutaragi, former CEO of Sony, was to blame, but Jack Tretton, VP of Sony Entertainment America, disclosed that it was really because of financial restraints. (Insiders in the game industry say otherwise and refute this claim.)
Kutaragi has had a history of being directly responsible for the gains and losses at Sony. When Kutaragi was heading Sony Computer Entertainment in 2004, that year was the first year of major financial losses after several years of financial growth.
Kutaragi made many comments hyping up the release of the PlayStation 3 — but ultimately, many of them never made it through in time. Back in April, Kutaragi announced his retirement, which some have speculated was due to the huge losses for Sony resulting from the PlayStation 3.
