The phrase "exclusive title" is becoming less and less meaningful for Sony’s PS3, as another game originally slated for production only on the PS3 is going to be released on the Xbox 360, PS2, and PC. Mercenaries 2: World In Flames, produced by Pandemic Studios and Electronic Arts, is scheduled for a Fall 2007 release.
It has been speculated from the beginning of development that Pandemic’s game would hit all consoles–it’s not the kind of company that develops exclusives. Previous titles such as Mercenaries, Star Wars: Battlefront I and II, and Destroy All Humans I and II were always targeted multiplatform releases.
Pandemic CEO Andrew Goldman said, "Mercenaries 2: World in Flames delivers the next evolution in explosive open world gameplay–regardless of the system you play it on. All four platforms are incredible gaming machines, and from the beginning we designed an experience that accentuates their individual strengths and delivers the interactive freedom and explosive action Mercenaries fans demand."
The move by some game studios to avoid releasing titles exclusively for the PS3 may be an indication that confidence in the system has been diminished. Game companies are taking steps to make sure that their titles have a better chance of reaching a wider audience in order to realize profits.
With additional reporting by Kyle Ulrich.
