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Robert Garriott explains Sony-NCsoft deal

By Tom Magrino, GameSpotPosted Sep 12, 2007 3:10 pm PT

American-branch CEO says a desire for entry into the console market was behind the Korean publisher's alliance with the Japanese game giant.

Gamers have been waiting for more than six years to scribble on lauded game designer Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa, and on October 16, NCsoft will finally end the wait. Though the sci-fi massively multiplayer online game isn't currently slated to appear on the PlayStation 3, a strong possibility of such occurrence was raised during this year's E3 Media & Business Summit, when Sony announced it would be partnering with NCsoft on several unspecified games for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable.

While it's natural that Sony would want to acquire talent such as Richard Garriott for work on its platforms, the NCsoft partnership left many scratching their heads. That's because Sony has its own online-centric studio, Sony Online Entertainment (EverQuest, Star Wars Galaxies), which is an active rival of the South Korea-based publisher.

In a recent post to NCsoft's Web site, CEO of NCsoft North America Robert Garriott, Richard's older brother, addressed the eyebrow-raising deal. He indicated that it was NCsoft's urge to reach the console market, not necessarily Sony's desire for a new online studio, which sparked the arrangement. The elder Garriott noted, "We don't want to limit ourselves to the PC, especially while the console market continues to grow by leaps and bounds with every new generation...and console makers want to get into the online space." [Ellipsis in original.]

In contrast to development partner Cryptic Studios--which is currently working on a Marvel superheroes MMOG for the Xbox 360 and Windows Vista--NCsoft was attracted to the PS3 due to Sony's ability to provide "the best Internet connectivity and greatest freedom of Web access and interaction available to the user." Robert Garriott also mentioned that the focus of the partnership is for PS3 development "and perhaps the PSP." (SOE is currently working on a DC Comics-inspired MMOG for the PC and PS3.)

As for when NCsoft will debut the fruits of its labor on Sony's console, the elder Garriott said it is aiming for the 2008 holiday season. Though no specific titles were mentioned, he insinuated that the first project would be either a port or an extension to one of NCsoft's current properties. The publisher's portfolio includes Guild Wars, Lineage II, City of Heroes, and the forthcoming Tabula Rasa.

"We won't just be porting our games over to the PS3," explained the senior Garriott. "We want to make new products using our current, popular Intellectual Properties (IPs) that will take advantage of the console, specifically in terms of user interface, connectivity, and play styles."

When NCsoft games do begin appearing on Sony platforms, Robert Garriott said that they will follow all current business models, including subscription, microtransactions, and free-to-play games with membership options.

98 Comments

  • yeheedee

    Posted Feb 18, 2009 7:59 pm PT

    Kez1984 Posted May 22, 2008 2:59 am PT Another company sells out....

    yeah well if u havent noticed MONEY makes the world go round

  • fps_d0minat0r

    Posted Nov 14, 2008 6:14 am PT

    is guild wars really gonna be on ps3?

    or is it just a roumor?

    you can use USB/bluetooth keyboard and mouse on ps3 so it wouldnt be a bad idea.

  • Kez1984

    Posted May 22, 2008 2:59 am PT

    Another company sells out....

  • calanorn

    Posted Apr 3, 2008 12:51 pm PT

    saying buy both is all good and well but as i own all consoles and one hell of a pc i can understand why pc gamers are worried about all these games being ported. after the games get ported into some dumbed down version (far cry anyone?) the pc gamers get shafted on the next version for console controllers.

    I enjoy pc and console but there IP's should be kept seperate or atleast developed seperately and any mmo should never be cross platformed that stuff just dont work wont work and plain sucks.

  • t37nguye

    Posted Feb 11, 2008 3:08 pm PT

    "We don't want to limit ourselves to the PC, especially while the console market continues to grow by leaps and bounds with every new generation..."

    They've made a wise move. This is a great news for PS3. Can't wait for Guild Wars on PS3.
    Based on what they said the main reason they chose the PS3 is because the PSN is FREE. Since Guild Wars is free to play, it totally makes sense when they chose to port the game to PS3.

  • chrisandjess

    Posted Feb 6, 2008 2:22 pm PT

    Actually I think this is the best news I've read in a while, IMO. I have no doubt that, in time, the PS3 will win the console war, just as Sony won the last 2. NCSoft should still make all the decisions about their games, but the thought of playing Guild Wars 2, City of Heros/ Villains (and any sequels), Lineage and Tabula Rasa on the PS3..... Well, I just can't wait. And to say that console gamers shouldn't get MMO's is an idiotic statement, there's too much potential for profit in that market.

  • 33T_L33T

    Posted Jan 21, 2008 6:11 pm PT

    Guild Wars 2 for PS3 would kickass, especially if you could use your PC character on the console. Who cares about MMOG's being PC gamers "Last Stand" against the console, buy both and stop fighting... The only problem is making the gameplay fair for both PS3/PC users. If there was a PS3 server, and a PC server for Guild Wars 2, it would be lame...

  • kalli_bumbo

    Posted Jan 21, 2008 10:03 am PT

    Now i probably want GW2 on PS3 if the keyboard and mouse will go on sale:S...and i agree with : telmplargunman

  • kalli_bumbo

    Posted Jan 20, 2008 12:54 pm PT

    well...Guild Wars isnt for PS3 or PSP,i mean cmon the controls will be retarded and hard to play.I think they are not gonna make it on PS3,thats insane...i just liek it how it is,On PC.

  • Gotharr

    Posted Oct 20, 2007 8:26 am PT

    Always first creater of a game is better than second.And i dont like to see my best game on the worst mmorpg game becuase sony built it not ncsoft and arena net.So do it yourself ncsoft.

  • Tenamor

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 6:50 pm PT

    I really hope they don't make ANY GW games for the PS3, PSP, or anything sony... Like Templargunman said, MMO's arn't for consoles, they're PC gamer's last stand against the console gamers... And besides, I doubt they would bother wasting the money making GW for a sony console, they're(PS3, PSP) doing horribly in sales, and frankly, just about every game for it has gotten sub-par reviews, so a GW game on the PS3 or PSP wouldn't do the series any good for ratings.

  • templargunman

    Posted Oct 4, 2007 5:07 pm PT

    They won't make it for the ps3, obviously, mmos aren't for consoles, they're PC's last stand against the hordes of console gamers

  • halfbreed11111

    Posted Sep 29, 2007 12:14 pm PT

    i hope they make guild wars 2 for the ps3.

  • barne1dr

    Posted Sep 17, 2007 2:44 pm PT

    please allow SOE to make ZERO decisions about your games - they will bring them to utter ruin...utter. Sony sucks and have no problem throwing away fans in their arrogance, don't turn down that path - I like NCSoft.

  • XeroComplex

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 3:35 pm PT

    I just hope Guild Wars doesnt move onto the PS3...
    And please, SOE? NCSoft has much more potential these days...

    I have to admit, I don't like sony that much, they seem a little shady to me...

  • CrushedGroove

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 8:31 am PT

    I am glad to hear the prospect of MMO's coming to any console platform. I really hope it helps the PS3 out. My only fear is that SOE will convince NCSoft to crank out exspansions like SOE did with Everquest. I know EQ was very succesful, but the number of exspansions coming out every time you turn around was overwhelming. But best wishes to both parties involved.

  • NandoSupes

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 7:34 am PT

    I bet the Guild Wars 2 will be multiplatform,PC and PS3 thats my prediction.

  • ninjasam

    Posted Sep 14, 2007 8:32 am PT

    huff, all you need to do is release marvel vs capcom 2, or 3, for ps3 or psp. The sales will skyrocket i swear.

  • the_real_VIP

    Posted Sep 14, 2007 8:06 am PT

    "Homerj: Sony needs to do something. For them, software talent at any price is a bargain. And I wouldnt hold my breath for ANY MMO to be 'free-to-play', its a rarity and not generally part of the whole business model for that genre. If NCsoft sends an MMO to PS3, the users WILL pay, unless Sony is willing to pony that revenue stream upfront."

    Ever heard of another NCsoft MMO game called Guild Wars where there's no regular fee at all to play?

  • Homerj

    Posted Sep 14, 2007 7:24 am PT

    Sony needs to do something. For them, software talent at any price is a bargain. And I wouldnt hold my breath for ANY MMO to be 'free-to-play', its a rarity and not generally part of the whole business model for that genre. If NCsoft sends an MMO to PS3, the users WILL pay, unless Sony is willing to pony that revenue stream upfront.

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