Compulsion Games, the creator of Contrast, is now a Microsoft studio. The Canadian company was acquired by Xbox overnight, thus raising questions about whether We Happy Few will even release on the PlayStation 4. The good news is that, because work started long before the buyout, it will still launch on Sony’s system as planned.
The developer announced a release date for the bizarre BioShock-esque adventure overnight: 10th August. It will, presumably, mark the last Compulsion Games release on a PlayStation platform, of course – let’s hope it goes out on a high.
Comments 13
I loved Contrast, it was the first or one of the first ps plus games for PS4.
We Happy Few appeared some time ago as a digital psn preorder of some kind of deluxe edition for 80 (!!!!) euros and a plus discount and vanished some time later.
Yeah, first off they have a pre-existing deal with Gearbox for publishing the game and have already released pre-orders plus I thought they had some sort of crowdfunded starter (I could be wrong on that). I think they just needed to show something unreleased to bulk up the number of games.
Kudos to Microsoft I guess...they could easily make it exclusive now!
@AFCC Microsoft in it for the business... they'll be making a significant cut of the profits from the sale of this game. It may even sell better than the Xbox version simply because of Sony's larger install base, which just means mo' money for M$.
@Turismo4GT That's true! But you know, they could be like Sony with cross play lol
Looking forward to this one. It has gone a bit quite but I like the Bioshock feel it has about it.
Lets hope buying these companies will turn into some great single player experiences.
@AFCC
Not to beat a dead horse, but Sony started this generation supporting cross play. It was Microsoft that vehemently opposed it. That is why Final Fantasy XIV is on the PS4 with cross play with PC and not on the Xbox.
Tunes changed once Sony became the clear dominant console for this generation.
@lacerz I don't think they should do this because they are dominating! They did so in the PS2 era and then at PS3 they got crushed for the longest time...so you never know what can happen in the future! This crossplay thing is only bad publicity
@Neolit companies can be harsh with the competition, just that...but yes I understand this way they get more money
I wonder if some of these companies are doing the right thing by going 1st Party MS.
Doesn't seem like the best way to sell more games...
Few years from now, MS might be shutting them down.
It was not stated as an 'Exclusive' during the announcement and its not as if MS have kept Minecraft to 'just' the MS eco-system. MS have stated they are not adverse to releasing games on other platforms (like Nintendo and Sony) in the future either. It does make sense to make some games 'multi-platform' to reach a larger audience.
Of course certain franchises or games may well be better kept for the MS eco-system for their users but I can't see games like 'We Happy Few' being a 'system seller' and may well benefit MS more by selling these on multiple formats. Even if they are 'timed' releases (not that WHF is), it would be more beneficial to release the smaller, indie games on other platforms too - especially as a LOT of people seem to look more for the big AAA franchise 'exclusives' as a way to pick their console.
As for these 'small' studio's, I wonder if MS will be looking to grow them, give them bigger budgets, more staff and see what they can create.
Shame to see another good studio eaten up by Microsoft, here's hoping the game performs well.
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