GTA 3’s Two-Year Exclusivity Deal With Sony Was a Reaction to Xbox’s Imminent Arrival

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GTA 3’s Two-Year Exclusivity Deal With Sony Was a Reaction to Xbox’s Imminent Arrival

On December 3rd, Sony’s PlayStation celebrated its 30th anniversary. With over 3 decades in the bag, the brand has come a long way and left an invaluable mark on the gaming industry. However, the journey to the top was far from easy, filled with challenges and obstacles that the brand had to overcome to push the boundaries of innovation.

The brand recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. | Image Credit: Sony

One of the biggest hurdles came in 2001 with the arrival of

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’s Xbox, a formidable new competitor in the gaming world. So, to stay ahead, Sony devised a bold strategy, approaching its favorite third-party publishers with exclusive deal offers. Among them was Take-Two Interactive, the studio that would go on to give us the beloved Grand Theft Auto franchise.

Xbox’s Arrival Gave PlayStation the Wake-Up Call to Step Up

The company made the exclusivity deal before the GTA franchise took off. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games

In a recent

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during EGX London, Chris Deering, a veteran of the PlayStation team, shared some insight into one of the brand’s most critical turning points: the imminent launch of

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’s Xbox. He explained that to stay ahead, they knew they had to devise a plan, or it would be an uphill battle.

We knew exclusivity was the name of the game in a lot of fields. […] ‘How would you like a special deal if you keep your next generation game on PlayStation exclusive for a two-year *******?

One of the most significant moves in this strategy, aside from the hardware innovations, was to go to their favorite third-party developers and studios, offering them special deals.

Among these was Take-Two Interactive, which was developing Grand Theft Auto titles at the time. However, the franchise was not yet the juggernaut it would soon become, as its first two games featured simple top-down gameplay. Deering summarized it perfectly:

At the time, it wasn’t clear that Grand Theft Auto 3 was going to be as huge as it was. It was very lucky for us. And actually lucky for them, because they got a discount on the royalty they paid. 

Despite the risks, Sony saw the potential and decided to bet on the studio. It negotiated a two-year exclusivity agreement, offering Take-Two a reduced royalty rate in exchange.

The success of the exclusivity deal showcased the power of securing iconic titles for its platform, a tactic still prevalent in today’s gaming landscape.

Celebrating 30 Years of PlayStation

Over three decades, the brand has been able to push the boundaries of gaming. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games

December 3rd, 2024, marks a significant milestone for the PlayStation brand. Not only does it celebrate its 30th anniversary, but it also reflects on a journey that showcased the lengths the company has gone to stay relevant and on top.

Since its debut in 1994, it has revolutionized the gaming landscape with its introduction of cutting-edge technology, unforgettable games/franchises, and a sense of community that has connected millions of players worldwide.

From the original PS to the modern PS5 Pro, the brand has been consistent with pushing the boundaries of what gaming can achieve. Over the decades, it has not only established itself as a dominant force in the gaming industry but also as a cultural icon.

In the end, stories like the push for an exclusivity deal with Take-Two remind everyone of the bold decisions and forward-thinking strategies that shaped its legacy, ensuring it remained at the forefront of gaming innovation.

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