The 'exclusives' that aren't exclusive

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Six big games and why they're going platform-hopping

BioShock
Naturally, everyone wants to play BioShock on their system - it's a great game. The official line is: BioShock is[available] exclusively on Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Games For Windows." But there's much evidence that says otherwise.

The biggest clue is that there are labelled configuration settings for PC, 360 and PS3 present in the PC demo of the game. Don't forget, however, that configuration files were found in a new PC graphics card labelled 'Gears of War'. And that ended up coming to PC. But it's relevance is strongly played down, with the game's lead designer Ken Levine saying: "I promise you, there is no secret plan about the PS3 that we're keeping from people. There's no PS3 development going on that we're hiding. There's lots of stuff that gets into game code, plans change over time and we got an exclusive deal with Microsoft ... that's not a Rosetta Stone discovery."

Nonetheless, considering BioShock's retail success, the fact that publisherTake Two could do with some more moneyand simply the way everyone is expecting a PS3 announcement every time they check a games website, it's highly likely the exclusivity won't last that long. It's even possible PS3 owners might get a different, enhanced PS3-exclusive version. Imagine that...

Unreal Tournament 3
After being initially announced for PC and then also Xbox 360, the official line (at the moment at least) is now: "The highly anticipated and award-winning Unreal Tournament 3 will be exclusive to thePlayStation 3computer entertainment system and PC in 2007."

But the logical argument here is that an Xbox 360 version will follow at some point in 2008. Especially as the game is likely already up and running (finished?) on the machine, having been likely programmed for it while PS3 dev kits were still thin on the ground.

Justin Towell
Justin Towell

Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.