Sony slams Microsoft content policy

Sony has for the first time spoken about Microsoft's content and release policy, accusing its rival platform holder of "protecting an inferior technology" and warning: "Publishers are getting the living crap kicked out of them by Microsoft."

Last month it was revealed that Microsoft demands that multiplatform titles must have the same features and be released on the same date as other platforms, and that it reserves the right to refuse to allow a game's release on Xbox 360 should those terms not be met.

Microsoft's vice president of interactive entertainment, Chris Lewis, defended the policy, saying: "We seek to maximise our own advantage to ensure the playing field is even, and certainly plays to our advantage wherever possible…We just want what our customers want from us." Speaking to Industry Gamers, SCEA's SVP of publisher relations Rob Dyer said Microsoft was holding back creativity.

"I think what Chris Lewis was referring to was something that we've known about for some time," he said. "I think what Chris and the other representatives at Microsoft are doing is protecting an inferior technology.

"I think they want to dumb it down and keep it as pedestrian as possible so that if you want to do anything for Blu-ray, or you have extra content above 9 gigs, you'd better sure as heck remember that Microsoft can't handle that."

Dyer goes on to say that what was at first a way for Microsoft to keep small independents in line is now being used against larger publishers. "It's now progressed to not just be these smaller indie pubs that are obviously very easy to kick around," he said. "It's gone to B and A level publishers…So potentially any time we've gone out and negotiated exclusive content, publishers are getting the living crap kicked out of them by Microsoft because they are doing something for the consumer that is better on our platform than it might be perceived [to be] on theirs.

"So from a creativity standpoint and what we are doing to make it better for the consumer, our view is Microsoft's doing everything [it] can to eliminate that because they have an inferior technology."

In closing, Dyer disputes Lewis' claim that Microsoft's restrictive terms benefit Xbox 360 owners, saying: "While they might be protecting their consumers, what are they protecting them from? What it looks like they're protecting them from is the ability to see great content show up on superior technology. It's only going to dumb down what could potentially come out.

"Whether people are willing to stand up to Microsoft on this stuff or not is up to that publisher, and they do it at their own risk."

It's combative stuff from Sony, and echoes an anonymous publisher who told Eurogamer that Microsoft's terms meant it was "killing any creative exposure of titles to make up for [its] own platform's shortcomings." Valve co-founder Gabe Newell also recently called on Microsoft to relax its terms and conditions and open up Xbox Live to allow publishers to more freely distribute content to owners of its games.

It's a strategy that has clearly worked thusfar for Microsoft, but industry opinion appears to be turning against the way the platform holder has chosen to protect its business by thwarting competition. What do you think? Is Microsoft really protecting consumers, or is it protecting itself? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: Industry Gamers