Timed Exclusives: The Good, The Bad, and The Future.

In this generation we have seen our fair share of Timed Exclusives. These seem to be the next if not the third biggest thing when it comes to exclusives these days with exclusive DLC edging out timed exclusives for that 2nd place. The questions that have always floated around in my head are if they are good for those holding the short end of the stick, the answer to that is yes and no. I am going to break this down from a PS3 owners point of view since it's the PS3 who has experienced games not being released simultaneously with the 360 version more often than not.

Let's start with the positives of the topic since to my belief the negatives outdo the positives in this subject. First of all when a developer announces a timed exclusive it usually sparks debate if it's either because of difficulty or if they plan to add something in the game some even going so far to say they are just lazy. Now I have no problem with timed exclusives except that I expect to experience the game in a way that the other version was not able to do. A prime example of this game would be Alone in the Dark (Alone in the Dark: Inferno for the PS3 version) which was released on November far from the 360's June release date, but the feedback from the fans show that Eden Games definitely delivered on their promises. If game developers can find inspiration from Eden Games need to redeem themeselves after the original problems encountered with the other versions that drew the ire among fans, then I wouldn't mind timed exclusives for either console.

Now to point out the negatives the worst of the worst to just plain ignorance. Besides Eden Games it seems that all game developers haven't seem to grasp the idea that timed exclusives mean there is an open window to make sure that they can either add to the game or at least make it identical. Vampire Rain is the worst culprit in the timed exclusives that are pathetic, not only did they fail to deliver on the promise that the PS3 version would be greatly enhanced but they forced people to sit through a 3.8 GB Install which was time consuming especially from a game whose score barely reaches 30% on Metacritic. Now to a less serious flaw Bioshock a good game that fails to deliver on that one year window. How they made it less an A+ and more an B+ on the PS3  is shown by the ignorance in detail as seen in those past widespread screenshots of PS1 like textures on the Big Daddy, the lack of interest in improving it's graphics, Over-priced exclusive content that aren't even in the disk where it should be are the main reasons of concern I mean they are given one year to port it not develop just port it to make it look identical but they don't even look at the important details such as the Big Daddy example. In that same year they could have improved the graphics but their refusal to do so also brings up the question "Is it worth $60 ?" no it's not especially since the exclusive DLC is already over-priced I mean $10 for half an hour at best challenge rooms. The worst of it all is they still thought they would be able to sell a lot of games despite most multi-console owners probably have it already for the 360 and  that it was slated on October when MS:PR, LBP, Valkyria Chronicles, Fallout 3, Saints Row 2, Far Cry 2 and Dead Space were released maybe that's why the DLC is over priced.

The final thing I'm worried about is what about the future games that are timed exclusives, games like the Last Remnant and Red Alert 3 would they be able to capitalize on that given time window. Originally when I heard that EA LA did not want to leave PS3 owners out of the experience I was hoping that it was not a Red Alert 3 PS3 version because face it what could they possibly add that would keep gamers from having those WTFOMG!!! moments when the 360 and PC fans of the game are already in the what should be in the sequel phase, I don't think there would be anything not even 1080p that would give me any of those moments because face it time kills the hype, example Bioshock it sold well the year earlier and it is ignored by the majority during the PS3's moment with it.

Finally my views on the Last Remnant. The Last Remnant does not live up to the hype on the 360 would it on the PS3? No it won't. The fact that the only news of the PS3 version is that they "Might Add" Japanese voice overs. For the hardcore RPG fans this is a big deal but to the less than hardcore more than casual RPG fans it isn't and the fact that this is not even a sure thing it's still a maybe not a will do. It should also be noted that this will be Square Enix's first ever PS3 game and if most developers have problems with their first games on the PS3 wouldn't Square who already have enough problems with the Unreal Engine find it difficult. Square Enix is too busy trying to cater towards the entire market that they forgot that they're original style brought about better games than what they're throwing out now and those games in the past have done better. So in the end I've completely lost hope in the Last Remnant but at least Red Alert 3 might surprise me they're focus is catering towards the PS3 owners who missed out on the original experience whereas SE focus' on the Western Market not those who've they been ignoring.