Sony Gets Exclusive Rights to Unnamed Rockstar Game

We don't know what it is yet, but Sony's talking up its exclusive deal for the PlayStation 3 on a new game franchise from Rockstar Games.

Exact details of the contract were not provided; SCEA third party relations chief Michael Shorrock said it wasn't the LA Noire franchise, but "something completely new." Rockstar and Sony have had a close relationship in the past, especially surrounding the Grand Theft Auto franchise.

However, Microsoft grabbed a piece of the GTA pie when it announced in June that it would have exclusive content rights for the fourth installment of the series, which is due out in October.

"Everyone knows to have success in this business you need to look ahead, identifying the talent and titles that are going to give consumers new kinds of gaming experiences that help set the bar for the rest of the industry," Shorrock said. "Rockstar has a heritage for doing just that."

From the scant details provided by Sony, the new title apparently would make heavy use of the PlayStation 3's Cell and Blu-ray technologies. Under the deal, gamers won't find out much more, as Sony was required to sign a non-disclosure agreement in exchange for the rights.

JupiterResearch senior analyst Michael Gartenberg cautioned about being overly enthusiastic about the deal, saying there is just not enough details to make an honest assessment.

"There's one interesting part of this," he said. "No one does exclusives without a really good reason and given the fact that Sony is not dominating this console cycle, I would think Sony must have paid quite a bit to get the exclusivity."