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Namco using Microsoft money to fund PS3 Vesperia? photo

They don't call 'em Scamco Bandai for nothing.

According to new rumors, Namco is using money it gained from a Microsoft exclusivity deal to fund PS3 development. The Xbox 360 platform holder allegedly paid Namco Bandai a princely sum to make Tales of Vesperia a timed exclusive, and now that the contract has been fulfilled, the very money MS ponied up has gone right back into giving the PS3 that very game. 

The plot thickens with Sony demanding extra content for the PS3 version of the RPG, which is what the Microsoft money apparently went toward. If true, this is a severe case of ownage, with Microsoft unwittingly paying to make a PS3 version of a game significantly superior to the Xbox 360 counterpart. Pretty bloody hilarious, if you ask me, although those Japanese gamers offended by the multiplatform announcement won't find it so funny.

Of course, this is just a rumor and I'm unsure we'll ever be able to verify it. We'll certainly keep an eye on the story and let you know. I'm personally just going to believe it's true and laugh my head off.








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Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize. Likes PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3 Meet the rest of the team



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59 comments | showing # 1 to 50
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next 50 comments

Genius's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:41
Genius
I hope this is true, just for the Roffles!
Magesx's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:43
Magesx
I laughed.
Xzyliac's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:44
Xzyliac
Haha, not surprising but comical.
Naim Master's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:44
Naim Master
If this is true, they just got a new buyer!
DF's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:45
DF
And there goes any deal with Bamco from Microsoft forevermore. =P
CelicaCrazed's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:47
CelicaCrazed
This is pretty hilarious.
MrSadistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:47
MrSadistic
Oh Sony. You are quite the little scamp -tussles hair-
TheCleaningGuy's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:49
TheCleaningGuy
As long as we get a US version.
TheCleaningGuy's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:51
TheCleaningGuy
Also, "YEEEEEEAAAAAAH BOOOOOOOYYY!" is my new favorite tag
Infamy's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:53
Infamy
Too bad it's not getting released outside of Japan, LOL. Scamco bandai, oh how funny you are..
Trebz's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:54
Trebz
If this sells more copies than the 360 version, I will only then start laughing maniacally. For now, it is but a small amusement.
Excel-2011's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:54
Excel-2011
I don't get what's so funny about this. It's just good economics.
Doos's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:58
Doos
Yeah, 'cause they put that money in a specially labeled bank account. Then waited. Never dipped in or paid any bills with it or anything. Just so they could alienate one of their customers. Sounds completely logical!
bwonk's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:59
bwonk
I hope somebody gets fired for this. I don't even care if it's somebody in a completely unrelated industry. But, this is hilariously ironic. PS3 owners are going to eat this up with a spoon, as this is a little tasting of it was like for them for a good while.
Qraze's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 17:59
Qraze
hahaha hahaha hahaha.
Dreamweaver's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:01
Dreamweaver
Man, what a swift kick in the face of the Japanese 360 owners :)
Just kiddin', but it's realy funny how ironic this all is :)
wanderingpixel's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:03
wanderingpixel
Namco stole my wallet.
Ikey Heyman's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:08
Ikey Heyman
hahaha, wow. if this comes to the US I think I might just have to get a PS3.
Takeshi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:08
Takeshi
If the money is paid, the contracts fulfilled it's their money. They can do whatever the fuck they want with it. Wipe their asses with it, burn it and dance around the bonfire while naked or indeed, use it on further developing their games.
ghets's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:10
ghets
I dont really see how taking the money youve earned from one thing and using that money to make something else that will make you more money is hilarious. Besides Microsoft has most likely gotten all the money they were going to get out of Vesperia. The game has been exclusive to 360 for at least a year. I dont think this affects tham at all.
Mr Andy Dixon's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:14
Mr Andy Dixon
I work at McDonald's, but sometimes I eat at Burger King. OMG it's like McDonald's is PAYING ME to help ensure the success their rival! Muahahahaha!
hpv's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:19
hpv
I wonder how well this strategy is working out for Microsoft. I highly doubt it's moving much hardware for them and even Microsoft can only throw cash at garbage like Vampire Rain and Enchanted Arms for so long. I'd much rather they threw their money at more not garbage like Lost Odyssey, minus the publishing deal obviously because the pre-rendered cutscenes suffer pretty badly from the lack of disc space and no one likes disc swapping if given the choice.
KwikPwn's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:20
KwikPwn
The money is theirs, they can do anything they want with it. The point is 360 owners have already had their way with those games, you can have them now.
WarZombie's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:21
WarZombie
That's pretty funny, considering MS loves to make a big deal of how they are changing in Japan and all. Then their biggest competitor gets the same game with more content, using their own fucking money. The world is truly hilarious sometimes.
HiddenAHB's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:21
HiddenAHB
@mrandydixon

You're a evil genius.
natetehgreat's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:21
natetehgreat
I don't think this started with Namco. Here's how it works:

1. Microsoft buys off the developer/game for a year.

2. The developer can't make enough money selling the game exclusively on 360

3. The developer uses the money and year of 360 timed-exclusivity to port the game to PS3 (and Sony requires them to add new content).

Microsoft, meet karma.
WormFOODx's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:22
WormFOODx
The real question is just as some say above: only if the contract was completed with Microsoft. If the contract was not fulfilled completely I can guarantee you a lawsuit/delay will happen.
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:32
Darren Nakamura
I don't see how this could ever be verified, or proven false, for that matter. Microsoft gave Namco money, and Namco obviously had to spend some money to add content and port to the PS3. Who is to say that the money they spent is the same money, or for that matter, how do you define it as being the same money in the first place? It's not like they are collecting the money as physical bills which they are then cataloging by serial number, and then allocating. The money they spent could have been the money Microsoft gave them, or it could have been the money consumers gave them for the 360 game. It's not like they differentiate.
capitan's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:39
capitan
so microsoft screwed itself? gg lol
Vanilla Gorilla's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:42
Vanilla Gorilla
I'm in agreement with, apparently, the minority. How is this funny again?

It's their money, they contractually earned it. They're Japanese developers. The Japanese market has a stronger attachment with the PlayStation 3 than the 360. It is in their interest to develop for the PlayStation 3.
kelvinc's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:50
kelvinc
This is like a really really weak version of how IBM used Cell R&D resources to build the Xenon for MS, so I'd say MS fully deserved it.
countingdown7's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:52
countingdown7
Et tu, Namco-Bandai?
seamonkey420's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:53
seamonkey420
your thinking too deeep people.

it is what it is. japan and the microsoft xbox did not play well. the 360 being the same, but not as bad. however, tales of vesperia being only on a 360 = japanese buying a 360 instead of a ps3 just for it (it is widely known or thought to be known) while deep down most japanese have a secret sony allegiance.

however namco in the meantime is just slowly coding the ps3 version and in turn is required by sony to add more content before they allow ps3 release (thus extra money from ms version moves to ps3 build).

then in the end, the japanese gamer who bought a 360 just for this game feels a little scammed since they could get a much meatier version on the ps3. which btw 'does everything' :P

so wait.... i just summarized the summary of a linked article.
/i-fail
storyr's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 18:54
storyr
FAPFAPFAPPS3FABOYS
Pichu0102's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 19:09
Pichu0102
I don't follow. Namco makes money, even through a deal with Microsoft. Deal completed, money is theirs to spend. they reinvest it to remake the same game. Granted, the money did come from Microsoft originally, but isn't make money, take that money and spend it to make more money generally business strategy anyways?
Springsteen's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 19:18
Springsteen
I find it fitting. It still annoys me how since Microsoft decided to take a share of the gaming market they've been buying their way in. Besides, they red-ringed me. As I live in Brazil, I'm totally screwed.

I will play the living hell out of it. Anyone else out there utterly displeased with Tales of Symphonia:Knights of Ratatosk and wishes it would've never seen the light of day, so as to keep my love and respect for the flagship title?
Spectreman's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 19:20
Spectreman
* I don´t see what was the problem. Microsoft paid for one year of exclusivity. After one year, Namco do whatever wants. The money goes for entire company.
Discarded Couch Sandwich's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 19:30
Discarded Couch Sandwich
Wake me up when the PS3 version is slated for the UK. It's annoying having the announcement of a superior version made to coincide with the release of the 360 version over here.
Red TheHaze Veron's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 19:36
Red TheHaze Veron
I don't see how different this is with multiplatform development where most of the same assets and resources lead to a similar or the same product.
pedrovay2003's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 19:50
pedrovay2003
BUSINESS!
CBunn's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 19:50
CBunn
So, they are funding the game with microsoft points?
fundando's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 20:00
fundando
I made some lmaonade
super2j's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 20:05
super2j
HAHAHA, this is one of the best things i ever heard. I am going to show this to all with an xbox and laugh, laugh like a maniac.
Bob Muir's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 20:44
Bob Muir
Well, that just makes sense, I suppose. Still, pretty ironic.

@ super2j

Why, because they took the gamble and made the game partially successful, yet are screwed out of the "superior" version? Whether it starts on 360 or PS3, if it gains additional features on a later port to the other console, that is bad for any early adopter. So often a company will declare that a popular game coming to a new console with some additional content is their way of "thanking the fans," but unless the gamers who bought it are extremely hardcore fans, they won't be buying the game a second time just for a little more content, meaning they'll never see it. And any gamer who buys it for the new platform obviously aren't the fans the company is claiming to thank.

Really, new content like this should be released via DLC on the old platform (360) as well, and console fanboyism such as your comment should be kept to a minimum. I'm sure you weren't that happy to find out that games like GTA IV would have exclusive 360 content.
Gr00v3r's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 20:56
Gr00v3r
Seems like a good deal. Microsoft got the game they probably would not have gotten and got a year of exclusivity. Sony gets the game a year later but gets some bonus content.
dwolfwood's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 22:19
dwolfwood
That's so awesome. I'm glad to see that Japanese game developers still honor their relations with the Japanese hardware company Sony. Just doesn't seem right that M$ would just come in with a bunch of cash and try to buy up things, ruining relations within Japan.
Tuxy79's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 22:29
Tuxy79
Good thing I didn't buy it.
Electrium's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 23:15
Electrium
I feel less and less guilty about buying ToV used every day. *sigh* I originally wanted a PS3, but after waiting 4 years I bought a 360 just for all the exclusive JRPGs. Three months later, all this stuff happens. Obviously, Bamco and SE have a personal vendetta against me and me only.
cartman3307's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/16/2009 23:53
cartman3307
good thing i only paid 10 bucks for it, might buy it again for ps3 when its 10 bucks again (come on best buy, i want another 10$ great games sell again)
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