The Ultimate SOMA Discussion Thread

[senhua1980]

To: Frictional Games Dev
About : (Maybe) Exclusivity Your Next Game with Sony

You are free to do whatever you want. You can port to and develop your games on whatever platform. Not my problem (since that's how the world works - it goes both ways, I can spend money whichever way I like). However, with this sudden exclusivity deal you have gone from"developer that does quirky stuff on a shoestring budget" to "developer that is paid to do quirky stuff". You did not do a spinoff or a new project, you took that one franchise you had and put it into one basket.

I will buy games and spend money sight unseen just from word of mouth from so-called Indies, within reason of course. I will accept a far lower level of polish, technical prowess and all-around quality if it comes from a bunch of dudes coding in a shoddy rented office (if that) and pouring your dreams into source code and assets. These types of games usually come with a razor sharp focus on some aspect/concept that would make the games un-marketable to the big players of the industry. You also usually demand serious sacrifices and risk-taking from all people involved... sometimes even the people playing the games.

Exclusivity deals, however, is something the big guys do. Again: You did not do a paid-for project on another platform to keep afloat or earn brownie points or whatever, you moved your only project to another platform, and that platform only. Because in exchange you got cozier working conditions, big-time support and better deals on loans. Which, again, is perfectly understandable. However, this strips you of your "baby protection". One could say you have shed your Indie skin and advanced to a tiered developer studio stage. I will not give you my kickstarter or "yank entertainment" money sight unseen after this. I just might purchase your games with my "real entertainment" money, but I will expect a considerable level of polish in return.