Epic Games has acquired even more timed exclusives for the Epic Games Store. This time it includes Kylotonn Racing Games’ WRC 8, the upcoming racing game due out in September; Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory from Cyanide Studios and Black Shamrock Studio; and Bee Simulator, Varsav Game Studios’ realistic bee sim due out for home consoles and PC.
What do all of those games have in common? They’re all published by Bigben Interactive.
Invision Community is reporting that Bigben decided to hop into bed with the devil’s dildo, because they no qualms about taking the backlash… dry.
As noted in the report, Bigben dropped a press statement about the year-long exclusivity deal for the three titles, with Benoit Clerc, the head of publishing at Bigben, stating…
“We are very pleased to be reinforcing our Epic Games store offer with a variety of unique games from our catalogue. Our latest offer is comprised of three games that are very different from each other: Bee Simulator, a superb family game; Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory, a tactical CRPG brimming with dark humour; and WRC 8, the official simulation of the FIA World Rally Championship, which will also be the first rally game available on the Epic Games Store.”
It seems like a risky move to put AA titles reliant on a niche market on an even more niche platform that’s currently reviled by the average gamer.
I mean, what sort of reputation do they expect to maintain with fans when they’re giving the impression that it’s okay to lay prostrate in front of a company with ties to a mega-corporation that’s in bed with the Chinese State department, which utilizes one of the more frightening aspects of China’s Social Credit System?
It’s all a little too dystopian for my tastes.
In this particular case, though, I’m unsure if it’s better that bigben rolled out the welcome mat for the exclusivity deal shortly after the announcement of game slike Bee Simulator! and Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory, or if it’s better to build up anticipation and then whip out the exclusivity news like a flasher whipping out a banana surprise in front of a group of single ladies heading to Katra Lounge’s in the Bowery on a brisk Friday night.
It’s all sour grapes for as far as the average gamer is concerned, but it is what it is. Some companies like burning the dung on the grill during those arid summer nights, while others seem to prefer winning gamers over with the sweet aroma of multiplatform releases… without any of the drama that comes with exclusivity deals.
