Home Gaming Why is Titanfall a Microsoft exclusive?

Why is Titanfall a Microsoft exclusive?

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Titanfall is coming. And it’s coming only to Microsoft’s platform; the PC, Xbox 360 and Xbox One Why? The easy assumption is that it’s because it uses Microsoft’s magical cloud as its dedicated servers. According to serial info leaker “famousmortiner,” that’s not quite the case.

It’s all because Respawn, small a studio as they are, wanted to focus on just one “next gen platform,” and Xbox One was the obvious choice, given how the Xbox 360 was dominating in the last generation. That, and Sony was still keeping quiet.

“Respawn wanted to focus on a single console as they were a small team. In 2011 and 2012 Microsoft was behind the scenes selling their vision for the Xbox One. At the same time Sony was gathering info but not really sharing it. The vast majority of the industry thought that Microsoft was going to dominate this gen… until one year ago, tomorrow.

As you’re all aware, Sony announced its PlayStation 4 exactly one year ago today and that system has since been the console darling, especially after Microsoft finally announced its Xbox One, and the giant DRM backlash that followed. In short, Respawn and EA may have backed the wrong horse.

“Respawn picked the XB1 because it seemed like the better choice. MS was pushing it. Sony was mum. The 360 dominated the US and western EU, which is where FPS are king. It was a no-brainer.”

Of course, not everything (or anything, really you read on the internet is true – but it does sound plausible enough.

Last Updated: February 20, 2014

57 Comments

  1. Krypty

    February 20, 2014 at 18:12

    Nothing is exclusive!

    Reply

    • A 2 Brute?

      February 20, 2014 at 18:27

      Everything is permitted?? 😉

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

        February 21, 2014 at 07:27

        Winna!

        Reply

    • Kyle Farmer

      February 20, 2014 at 19:55

      Correction, nothing on Xbox is exclusive, only their bullsh1t.

      Reply

  2. Brian Murphy

    February 20, 2014 at 18:33

    As a precautionary on FamousMortimer, he recently suggested that Microsoft was in talks with Amazon to sell off the Xbox sub-division. Later recanted as a joke.

    Reply

  3. Martin du preez

    February 20, 2014 at 18:34

    Over 5 million Ps4’s sold (Not even counting Japan yet). I bet EA are kicking themselves now.

    Reply

    • Brian Murphy

      February 20, 2014 at 19:01

      Can’t wait until the launch, I wonder what the 1st weeks sales are going to be like.

      Reply

      • Ultimo_Cleric N7

        February 20, 2014 at 23:08

        My guess is pretty good. Can’t see an Xbox One user NOT getting this. That said, it’s still going to be restricted without PS4. Looking forward to seeing the figures as well.

        Reply

        • Brian Murphy

          February 21, 2014 at 04:20

          LoL, no, I was wondering about the PS4 launch in Japan. I’m not interested in Titanfall on console, and I won’t pay launch price for it on PC either. Not enough content to justify the expense.

          Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      February 21, 2014 at 07:26

      Gonna sell like Hentai in Japan

      Reply

    • sentient slug

      February 21, 2014 at 08:24

      Screw EA

      Reply

  4. Rikus

    February 20, 2014 at 18:57

    Ironic and funny header. Loving it!

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      February 21, 2014 at 07:25

      He takes the fun out of trolling sometimes

      Reply

  5. Alien Emperor Trevor

    February 20, 2014 at 19:09

    The king is dead. Love live the king.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      February 21, 2014 at 07:25

      love live?

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        February 21, 2014 at 07:42

        Now I remember why I shouldn’t type after drinking.

        Reply

        • TiMsTeR1033

          February 21, 2014 at 07:46

          You shouldn’t type period lol JK

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            February 21, 2014 at 07:56

            And deprive you all of my wit & charm? I’m not that cruel.

        • Hammersteyn

          February 21, 2014 at 07:55

          XD At least you know now people read your drivel

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            February 21, 2014 at 07:56

            Yay? lol

  6. HvR

    February 20, 2014 at 19:33

    I’m going for MS paid them for exclusivity.

    Do not know why studios/dev houses always deny it; it is a valid business practice with pros and cons. You shouldn’t complain if it doesn’t work out due to lack of sales due to a lack of market.

    With the media hype/cost behind it, 4 million units (if every Xbox one owner buys it) it will be considered a failure and will need just as many sales on PC and 360.

    Reply

    • Falcon D. Stormvoice

      February 21, 2014 at 00:07

      Well, I’m not sure why this article exists. Respawn already said a while back on Twitter why it’s exclusive. They needed backing, and EA’s lawyers talked to Microsoft’s lawyers, and a deal materialised.

      So, yeah. MS paid them for exclusivity.

      Reply

  7. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    February 20, 2014 at 19:44

    Which is strange, since when the console exclusivity was announced by EA, Zampellalalala broke character and seemed genuinely surprised (remember that strange little tweet he sent). Thing is, it’s nice to rewrite history now (with the power of the cloud, and other PR tidbits), but it always just boiled down to the MOOLAH! EA must be kicking themselves though. They backed the wrong horse. But then they were in cahoots with Microsoft to create a DRM-filled, always online, anti-consumer box that would curb second hand sales.

    #neverforget

    Reply

    • Ultimo_Cleric N7

      February 20, 2014 at 23:12

      True Banana. And we are talking about EA here. They still have plenty of time to stuff the game up.i want this game to succeed really. But I just have a bad feeling that EA are going to go for the cash grab on this game somehow to make up for the exclusivity. If not, I would be pleasantly surprised. But after the whole Dungeon Keeper debacle…….

      Reply

  8. Kyle Farmer

    February 20, 2014 at 19:56

    I fail to see why “Titanfall” is the next big thing? Did I miss something? Last time I checked it was another shooter, with a different gimmick (Titans). Nothing new or awe inspiring there?

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      February 20, 2014 at 20:06

      Apparently the gameplay is quite nice, and the bots give you a sense of power and awe (as you kick the living snot out of them or crush their pitiful skulls with your gigantic mech of awesome boot). I haven’t had a chance to play it, but most who experienced the beta were pleasantly surprised.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        February 21, 2014 at 07:27

        Question is, how soon is this premise gonna get old?

        Reply

        • Tarisma

          February 21, 2014 at 07:34

          Titanfall 4 Cyborg Monsters V Demons

          Reply

        • Willem Swanepoel

          February 21, 2014 at 08:04

          Been asking the same question about Call of duty 😉

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            February 21, 2014 at 09:16

            Oh yeah….. that thing.

        • Gareth L (That Guy)

          February 21, 2014 at 13:12

          The base game will get old within a few months, so what we’ll probably start seeing are numerous new game modes – or maybe even mods – to play.

          Imagine a FPS Titanfall rugby game where the mechs are the defense! 😉

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            February 21, 2014 at 13:16

            Nice!

      • Gareth L (That Guy)

        February 21, 2014 at 12:49

        Having played a bit of he beta, I can honestly say that I really did enjoy it. If I had a spare R500 I might even buy it next month.

        It has a great old-school Quake / Unreal Tournament pace to it – with mechs to jump into and blow the little people up. 😀

        Reply

    • Ultimo_Cleric N7

      February 20, 2014 at 23:13

      Felt the same way until I actually played it. It’s really good man.

      Reply

    • Falcon D. Stormvoice

      February 21, 2014 at 02:05

      Shooters are big amongst the unwashed masses, even though they should have died in the 90s (shooters that is, not the masses… well…).

      The reason Titanfall is THE “next big thing” is because Microsoft needs it to be. That’s why their trailer displays “BELIEVE THE HYPE” in big bold letters. Because they really need you to go ahead and do that. That’s why the ads say “XBOX ONE” in skyscraper-sized letters and don’t mention the other platforms. They need people to believe it’s only on Xbox One.

      They NEED to be ahead in sales somewhere on the planet. It is not acceptable to the shareholders that they lost dominance in the U.S. market, so they’re really pushing this shooter as a must have (and by extension, the Xbox One as a must have), when Destiny comes out just a little while later and looks much better online shooter.

      Reply

    • Jonah Cash

      February 21, 2014 at 07:14

      I am with you on this one, I get that the game is nice and good and plays well… But lets face it if you like me don’t like FPS games then why would this excite me?!?!? And I don’t think all the COD players will now jump ship either, they are a pretty loyal bunch if I look at the internet battle with the Battlefield guys…. So yeah I don’t really care if it is good or not, I won’t be playing it either way!!

      Reply

    • Willem Swanepoel

      February 21, 2014 at 08:03

      I have been asking myself the same question why COD having such amazing sales every year and it is so DULL and boring after COD 4.

      Titanfall gives you a CoD feeling with big ass mechs. I have seen the videos and it looks fun with lots of action and quick fights.

      It got potential to be an awesome competitive game but it is not “next-gen”

      Reply

      • Gareth L (That Guy)

        February 21, 2014 at 13:14

        Next-gen is mostly a graphical and engine-capable qualification, not a gameplay aspect unfortunately.

        On maximum graphics settings I’d say that it’s beautiful enough to qualify as next-gen. 🙂

        Reply

    • Kyle Farmer

      February 21, 2014 at 10:32

      I’m not going to lie, I’m quite a big battlefield fan. But after THEY promised the next big thing with graphics and Levelution and all that, I simply want to know what makes Titanfall so different. All your comments are great, yet someone has still to create something different in the gaming FPS world. I have been playing a lot of DayZ SA lately, it’s great and for the most part it’s quite different. Has Lazygamer reviewed it yet, even as an Alpha? I’ll probably pick up Titanfall when it drops in price and see what the fuss is about, but from the videos I’ve seen it doesn’t look as crisp as BF4? OMG, don’t even get me started on the polish of bf4. Titanfall pre-orderer’s beware!!! 🙂

      Reply

  9. Franciscan Fan Boy

    February 20, 2014 at 20:17

    We can still view Titanfall as an extended beta for a PS4 friendly Titanfall 2. It is good that the XBoxOne is getting some love but the main attraction in this story is always going to be the PC version. XBoxOne will likely have to wait until Halo5 for its first awesome exclusive. If they can’t figure out how to get it running 1080p/60fps by then though it’s time to Abandon All Ye Hope!

    Personally I think Microsoft should have been braver and made it XBoxOne exclusive.

    Reply

  10. Skyblue

    February 20, 2014 at 20:34

    meh #foreverpc

    Reply

  11. Ultimo_Cleric N7

    February 20, 2014 at 23:05

    Wish it would go cross platform. What a game. Microsoft have really scored with that one. Pity, because to really get competitive and take on CoD’s territory Respawn would have had to get into Sony’s platform.

    My question now is : have Microsoft tied them into a Xbox only contract. Because wen though the studio sees themselves as small, this game is going be big and I don’t think Respawn will stay small. If they aren’t contractually bound to only release the game on Xbox, there is a chance we still might see Titanfall on PS4 a few years down the line.

    Reply

    • Gareth Hughes

      February 22, 2014 at 00:54

      There is your answer mate.
      Ea sold his game out under his nose without him even knowing.
      It’s a Xbox exclusive for the first game only.

      Reply

      • Ultimo_Cleric N7

        February 22, 2014 at 13:02

        hahaaha EA, not even ASKING Respawn, going straight for the money after the first game. Like I said earlier in the thread, EA have just become too greedy. As soon as they saw the hype and potential profits in this game, they bascially went 180 on their ‘partnership’ with Microsoft. Remember how much they were talking that up….. Whats the bet we will see Titanfall 2 sooner rather than later 🙂

        Reply

  12. Johnny

    February 20, 2014 at 23:22

    I can answer that because it is. Hahaha oh I can feel the butt hurt in this comment section from here.

    Reply

  13. alan

    February 21, 2014 at 06:47

    I’m going to pirate this, just to spite Microshaft.

    Reply

  14. Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

    February 21, 2014 at 07:26

    Well, it wouldn’t be a stretch to believe it.

    It would be a pitty if it is true because the game could have had much further reach had it been on more than just MS platforms. By the sound of it the game is amazing.

    Reply

  15. TiMsTeR1033

    February 21, 2014 at 07:42

    Titanfall is a Ms exclusive because they paid the devs off it’s as simple as that..

    Reply

  16. Willem Swanepoel

    February 21, 2014 at 08:01

    Someone uploaded a video where he showed all the RPG games coming for 2014.

    There was one that was Wii U Exclusive … REALLY ? How stupid are you to release a game for the most inferior platform to date, of course the company got paid a lot for the Wii U exclusive dev but it just boggles my mind why you want to limit your SALES to one platform … it is really stupid.

    Reply

  17. Kromas

    February 21, 2014 at 08:43

    Titanfall uses Source. It should be a Steam exclusive. 😛

    Reply

  18. oOqUiS

    February 21, 2014 at 08:46

    Sony has to many Fist party dev to support. So it’s clever they didn’t get involve with a biding war with M$.

    Reply

  19. FoxOneZA

    February 21, 2014 at 09:54

    Pffft….Doesn’t Titanfall depend on teh cloudz? Does Sony have cloudz?

    Where there’s cloudz, it r rain monies! 😛

    Reply

  20. Citizen X

    February 21, 2014 at 11:30

    Whats the Betamax got to do with this article???

    Reply

    • bluegoon

      February 22, 2014 at 12:58

      Think harder.

      Reply

  21. Tauriq Moosa

    February 21, 2014 at 14:18

    Betamaxbox One

    I am glad to see Microsoft’s new toy getting lots of a great-looking exclusives.

    Reply

  22. ExplodedFour

    February 21, 2014 at 14:45

    Titanfall is amazing …. Played the beta and loved every moment of the 2 maps played. The beta wasn’t the final version and didn’t show the monsters they said would be involved but that’s for the finished version which will make the game 10x better. People shouldn’t moan and doubt Microsoft and EA if they haven’t played it yet. I’m not a fanboy of Microsoft or Sony but I own an Xbox one due to always having an Xbox and don’t really see a point in changing for anything. In a way this game could change and help Microsoft hugely. I can see why Microsoft wanted it to be an exclusive cause its going to be the biggest and best game out there and I don’t think anybody can doubt that with the huge amount of praise for the game through expert analyst’s and players. Just take a chance and try it you will be sure to love it guaranteed 😀

    Reply

  23. Gareth Hughes

    February 21, 2014 at 21:16

    This is all bullsh1t like the xbone.
    Vince zambella wasn’t even aware that his game was sold out to Microsoft as he stated on Twitter saying he was gutted “=(” which tbh I would be too. He would of wanted to be the best selling game on the best selling next gen console. Now he has been shafted and can’t hold this title.
    Also 729p it runs at on xbone wtf is that resolution? I just sense a pure xbone power struggle.

    Reply

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