PlayStation's GTA Exclusivity Driven by Xbox Launch, Says Former Exec

A former PlayStation executive reveals that Sony's securing of GTA exclusivity was a strategic response to the launch of Microsoft's Xbox.
PlayStation's GTA Exclusivity Driven by Xbox Launch, Says Former Exec
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 ma…

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