How to make great exclusives, according to Aaron Greenberg

6 January 2011

Talking to Xbox 360 World magazine, Xbox product director Aaron Greenberg reckons putting together a great console exclusive is “easier said than done” but provides this useful checklist for anybody out there considering going into game development.

“Here’s the formula: draw players into an all-new world with epic storytelling, memorable characters, stunning graphics and polished gameplay – but also give them a reason to keep coming back to that world day after day after day,” he reveals slyly, tugging on a long, wispy grey beard and adjusting his a pointy purple hat in the midst of a shower of falling stars. “That’s why millions of gamers have made exclusive franchises like Halo, Gears Of War, Fable and Forza Motorsport some of the biggest blockbusters in our industry.”

Okay, I made up that bit about the beard, but I’m also quite sure Halo, Gears of War, and Fable have all turned up on PC at one time or another. Do they even count as ‘exclusive’ titles?

The roster of Xbox exclusives for 2011 includes Gears of War 3, XCOM, and Forza 4.

Discuss console exclusives on the MyGaming forum.

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