Ever Wonder Why Xbox 360 Got "Limbo" First? Sony Asked Too Much

Sony wanted IP rights to "Limbo."

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Sony missed out on the chance to release the stellar indie hit Limbo first because the company wanted the rights to the IP, Sony Executive Producer Pete Smith admitted at the Develop Conference in Brighton, England last week.

"I maybe shouldn't say this, but we had issues when we were trying to sign Limbobecause of the IP," Smith said.

He had given advice earlier in his talk, which concerned how devs should pitch games to publishers, concerning IP negotiations: 

"There are obvious benefits to keeping it, but also to giving it up: you're way more likely to get the deal," he said. "Remember: 100 per cent of nothing is nothing. A publisher is much more likely to commit to marketing and merchandising if they own the IP.

"Sometimes all we want is protection so [devs] don't make a game, finish it then go to one of our rivals. We look at IP on a case by case basis. With a bit of common sense, you can find common ground."

But not in the case of Limbo, apparently, which went to Microsoft first because Sony wanted too much from Danish developer PlayDead—or PlayDead wanted too much from Sony, depending on who you ask. Do you think Limbo would have done as well if it had launched on PS3 first? Tell us in the comment or on Twitter.

[via Edge]

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