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BioShock: the exclusivity deal and the sequel
Sean Ridgeley - Saturday, July 19th, 2008 | 10:47AM (PT) 0 Like


Why the PS3 version, and why now? Read on..

Many may remember a time during which rumours were floating about regarding a PS3 version of BioShock. Particularly, I recall an interview with creator Kev Levine on Joystiq some time ago - being questioned about such a thing, Levine responded basically with a "no comment." Of course, as we all know, no comment is a comment, and now that the dust has cleared, we can see why he had to respond as such. Anyway, VideoGamer got ahold of 2K to discuss what happened, being now they're at liberty to say:

"Originally we announced BioShock as a next-gen game and didn't specify platforms," stated [Markus Wilding, International PR director, 2K]. "Then we were approached by Microsoft and at that time that deal made perfect sense for everybody, so we did it. As far as exclusivity deals go these days, they expire after a certain time, and then it was up to us to decide if it would make sense to release a PS3 version such a long time after the 360 version. BioShock has such a huge fan base and we literally got emails almost every day from people requesting, asking for a PS3 version or asking if it would be possible.

"Basically we chose the right time and we had the opportunity after a while, and we said all right, we'll go for it. Obviously we couldn't announce it for a while. Had we announced it at the time we launched the 360 version, basically we'd nullify that deal, so we had to work it so both parties would be pleased. That's the basic story. There's no big surprise in there. As long as you have an exclusivity, you cannot talk about other platforms."

As for when it started, Wilding says it was a ways after the 360 version was done:

"The development basically started, let's see, I can't put a finger on it, but certainly not right after we shipped the 360 version, because at that time we didn't know if it'd make sense to release a PS3 version. BioShock was a big team, but it wasn't like 200 people working, so it wasn't like we could say "hey, let's work on a version that might not even come to light". So I can't give you an exact date, but after the 360 version was done. When the right time came we could announce it and we did."

Now, regarding BioShock 2, he says nothing will surface on it at least until the PS3 version is released late October, as that's what the team is focusing on right now. Stay glued to your seats, BioShock fans.


BioShock: the exclusivity deal and the sequel Image 1

Source: VideoGamer

Sections: Console Games, PC Games

  • 0 thumbs!
    Bill Gates03 since Dec 2004 | Jul 19, 08
    Hmmm...I was just getting ready to play this on my PC, too!

    (Which I would say is the best way to play it!)

  • 0 thumbs!
    x_revenge since Nov 2007 | Jul 19, 08
    they'll make a good profit out of it, bioshock is a very good game indeed, ok they may not hit the top of the ranking but it won't be such a bad deal, sucks that ps3 gamers had to wait for so much time though...well, better late than never right?
  • 0 thumbs!
    iamjoe56 since Nov 2005 | Jul 19, 08
    Cool. It all makes sense now.
  • 0 thumbs!
    THM since Jan 2008 | Jul 20, 08
    As a PS3 owner, I anticipate that we will get extra stuff in PS3 version. Patience gets paid off eventually.

    Note: Wise men said only fools rush in!!!!
- This news story is archived and is closed to new comments now -

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