Insomniac's Ted Price says multiplatform development is 'fantastic'

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 14th 2008 at 7:30PM }

Insomniac has been a terrific supporter of Sony platforms. Although not owned by Sony, the independent developer has crafted a number of hit titles for PlayStation systems, from Spyro to Ratchet & Clank to Resistance. The partnership between Sony and Insomniac has been quite beneficial for both parties -- Sony gets exclusive AAA titles to market for their platform, while Insomniac gets the resources of Sony. Unlike other publishers, Sony isn't overbearing as well: "Our relationship with Sony is one where we develop autonomously. Sony certainly gives us great feedback on the games, but we're in control of the development process, and that is a great place to be. Especially with a partner as powerful as Sony."

Being an exclusive developer has given much more attention to Insomniac's games. For example, could Resistance have done as well were it a multiplatform FPS game? "Because we were a launch title, we did get a lot of additional exposure simply because it was synonymous with the PlayStation 3. And it's hard to break into the genre; and it's cool that we were able to do it with a brand new entry."

However, the success of multiplatform titles does appear lucrative to Price. Speaking to Gamasutra, he also adds that We see games that are multiplatform succeeding wildly, and doing great, and that too is a fantastic place to be." That doesn't mean Insomniac is planning on making games on Xbox 360 any time soon -- however, as an independent studio, they're certainly free to keep that option available.

[Via 1UP]

Tags: insomniac, insomniac-games, ted-price

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

maxdense @ Nov 14th 2008 7:40PM

Money talks...I wouldn't be surprised...

vahdyx @ Nov 15th 2008 11:51AM

That's exactly why sony is in last place!

They don't have money right now. Sad but true.

I hope ps3 can get the same pristine as ps2 did back in the day.

But this war is already almost over. It might be too little too late.

either way, I'm still gonna support sony and ps3 100%

Simon. @ Nov 14th 2008 7:45PM

With the way things are going with the economy, I'm not surprised one bit.

Rick @ Nov 14th 2008 7:47PM

if resistance were multiplatform i really don't think it would be as successful in my opinion because i think that i can vouch for most PS3 owners and say that we buy games just because they are exclusive. i know i do. i like being part of an elite few who are able to experience amazing games!

Toolio @ Nov 14th 2008 11:27PM

Not so fast there, sport. You don't speak for me.I couldn't care less if a game is exclusive or not. I just want to play a good game. Whether it's available on another platform is completely irrelevant to me, and I think that it's pretty silly to consider oneself 'elite' for playing games just because they are exclusive.

Jack Tretton @ Nov 14th 2008 11:37PM

Rick, it's a wonder I'm able to understand you with all that Sony knob you're gobblin'.

Jerses @ Nov 14th 2008 7:48PM

they are running away because they failed to deliver a quality game lol... just kidding..

blkant @ Nov 14th 2008 10:08PM

joke or not i wouldn't be surprised if thats true

Jake @ Nov 14th 2008 7:52PM

if r2 was multiplatform it would have nowhere near as much content as it does now

SaMav @ Nov 15th 2008 10:48AM

So true. F%*K Microsoft and their 8.5 GB disc capacity limit.

And F%*K all of the MicroFanboys who say developing a game for multiple platforms doesn't affect the overall quality of the game.

R2 is HUGE! I wouldn't of liked it near as much if they had to cut a few hours out of the single player.

I heard many people who've played GOW2 complain about the length of the campaign. That's not a problem whatsoever with R2.

Ysleiro @ Nov 17th 2008 2:46PM

I'm willing to put money on the following statement: "GOW2's story is just as long as R2's, if not longer".

Guys, blu-ray has not proven that games are longer or better on it. We are going to need a massive beat down in order to confirm this, which has not happened.

I think games are as long as the creator wants it to be. Oblivion was long as HELL and had tons of audio (more than any other game I have ever played) and fit into a DVD.

gillyy0 @ Nov 14th 2008 7:52PM

Hell I say if it's for the good of the company, do it, as long as I still get a good quality game ;]

Riley Freeman @ Nov 14th 2008 8:06PM

r2 needs more levels. i dont know if its cuz i keep joinin 60 player battles but i think theres only 1 or 2 level.s which gets kind of boring regardless how big those levels are.

MBO @ Nov 14th 2008 8:40PM

no...No...NOOOOOO!!!!!

MBO @ Nov 14th 2008 8:41PM

^
l
l

example of my fanboyism taking over

Jay @ Nov 14th 2008 9:00PM

Expect Insomniac to go Sony first party within a year....

Can you say "sending a message"?

Rodz @ Nov 15th 2008 11:38AM

Or it's a a message to MS like: "We are up for grabs."

deathxrebirth @ Nov 14th 2008 9:07PM

Haha Jay, I was just gonna say that. Sony would be foolish not to snatch them up.

I'm not a huge Resistance fan, but they do seem to have a great handle on the PS3 and obviously are capable of making some of the best games to grace Sony's System(s).

Darth_Xehanort @ Nov 14th 2008 9:29PM

Insomniac belongs with Sony. In fact, I'd be so disgusted if they went multiplatform that I would probably never buy another Insomniac game again.

Ted just tends to be nice, though. I think he'll stick with Sony. He's too smart to do anything else.

Nick @ Nov 14th 2008 9:51PM

Let Insomniac make games for PC and 360. They certainly deserve the success for all their hard work and great titles they've put out over the years.

Wrathbringer @ Nov 14th 2008 10:04PM

Agreed, Insomniac has made some frickin' amazing games over the years, they're entitled to making a bit more dough for their efforts. I hope they stay Sony exclusive, but it's their call.

stephen @ Nov 14th 2008 10:15PM

I see Insomniac starting to make games for the PC and/or 360. They are a fantastic developer and if they don't have to stay contained to one platform...they won't. They probably will make more money going multi-platform.

Sort of seen this coming actually. Sensed it somehow. Just seemed like a thing to do. When money is so tough to come by (especially these days), you have to make as much as you can. And going multi-platform would help with the money flow. Kinda like how we hear that Bungie will be going multiplatform.

I love Insomniac and I will see them as a "Sony brand" though. Spyro, Ratchet, Resistance...some of the first games that come to my mind when I hear "Playstation"

Jay [psn: jayrockslife] @ Nov 14th 2008 10:18PM

If Insomniac was to develop for PC and the 360, I would hope that they would create a brand new IP and not just take R&C or Resistance multiplatform.

Joe @ Nov 14th 2008 11:26PM

Well this was a rumor I heard a few months back from Gamesblow then there was the rumor on Neogaf and Silogon was talking about this a few days ago. He said Insomniac has been having some bad blood with Sony. It started when Phil left and Mr. Yoshida took over.

Insomniac wanted to make a PSN and Xbox Live game to make some money and Sony got really mad at them and so now they are making the game only for the 360 and it will be a full blown game instead of just a downloadable game. The game is rumored to be called. Lock & Key and will be shown at GDC.

But because Insomniac still wants to keep in with Sony they will be giving them two games. So Insomniac will then be working on three games two for the PS3 and one for the 360. The good thing is if you own both systems you will want to buy all the games because all three are different.

Kspraydad @ Nov 15th 2008 1:28AM

VentureBeat: So you won’t try to do an Xbox 360 title out of the new office?

Ted Price: We aren’t saying what they are working on. But we have said they are using tools that we have developed here in Burbank to make games.

Summer '08

Lawrence @ Nov 14th 2008 11:29PM

he also adds that We see games that are..."
Someone messed up the copy/paste.
he also adds that "We see games that are..."

Though I rather like what Insomniac is doing, even if I may not like all of their games it's nice to see Sony get some of the support they deserve in this generation. It's certainly better than the usual "Sony phails just because. They should just die already," that I hear from fanboys of a certain popular console.

Cidi @ Nov 15th 2008 12:16AM

Not sure if money is in that case a big factor for going multiplatform. I`m sure Sony will pay at the moment a lot of the development costs (going multiplatform would mean they have to pay more of that on there own) and there also already a lot of PS3s out there. Besides of that I`m not sure if there games would perform to good on other consoles, same goes of course also the other way around when it comes to a former long time Xbox only dev team when they make games for other consoles. Unless it is a generic game title it might not appeal to the audience of the other consoles.

The_Icon @ Nov 15th 2008 6:23AM

I am all happy for multiplatform. Although to be fair, Epic should make games for PS3 as well then.

Fane @ Nov 15th 2008 6:26PM

They already do.

Goity @ Nov 15th 2008 10:24AM

Beh, Insomniac threaten this every year to remind people they're independent. They haven't done anything about it before.

kamiboy @ Nov 16th 2008 3:29AM

It would be nothing lost if they did go to the other side. Insomniac is the least talented developer working with SONY. Ratchet and Clank is good game, but they've done too little to further that game and Resistance is "Just Another Shooter"(tm).

Don't let the door hit your heads on your way out, I am sure the oversaturated bloated FPS market is waiting for your mediocre entries into the fleshy mass with bated breaths.

gregory mitchell @ Nov 16th 2008 1:13PM

Gears was short but it was hella fun Now thats im playing r2 it seems like a chore. Its not hard its just annoying sometimes

Stalin @ Nov 16th 2008 8:26PM

i don't care if games go multiplatform as long as it in no way effects the quality of the game

i'd have been annoyed if Metal Gear Solid 4 was orginally multiplatform because i think it would greatly decrease the quality

but if they worked out a way to port it 360 now, i wouldn't mind