The PlayStation's acquisition of Grand Theft Auto exclusivity wasn't accidental; it was a strategic response to the emergence of Microsoft's Xbox, according to Chris Deering, a former PlayStation executive.
A Strategic Response to Xbox
In an interview with GamesIndustry.Biz, Deering revealed that Sony's move to secure GTA exclusivity stemmed from concerns about the upcoming Xbox launch. The idea to secure exclusive deals with key third-party developers emerged as a way to counter the potential threat.
Deering explains that Sony approached publishers and developers, offering special deals in exchange for timed exclusivity of their next-generation games. One of these crucial deals was with Take-Two for the next three Grand Theft Auto games—a deal that proved remarkably successful given GTA 3's unforeseen popularity.
A Win-Win Situation
The collaboration between Sony and Take-Two proved beneficial for both companies. Sony gained a significant advantage in the console market, while Take-Two secured favorable royalty terms. Deering highlights that such platform-based deals are common practice across various industries, even today with social media.
GTA 6 and the Future of Exclusivity
While the PlayStation benefited significantly from the GTA exclusivity deal, that strategy is unlikely to be repeated for Grand Theft Auto 6. Rockstar is expected to follow a similar release model as GTA 5 – initial console release, followed by a PC port, suggesting an end to platform-exclusive titles in the GTA franchise.
