With Sony announcing that the PS3s online support will be similar to Microsofts, it is only natural for the Japanese electronics giant to approach Koreas online gaming industry for help. South Korea boasts one of the strongest online gaming communities globally. Sony Computer Entertainment Japan and KIPA (a Korean government agency that promotes IT) co-organized a business proposal PS3 event for developers in Korea.
The meeting didnt go as planned and ended in a heated Q&A. Korean developers were upset and offended. Kotaku reader Torokun kindly provided us with a translation of the main issues:
1). KIPA and SCEJ will provide the entire development cost for an online PS3 title. The project will be funded up to the Alpha version. Moreover, the PS3 tool kit and support will be provided. Theres also an option for the team to become a first party developer. The game will be published under SCE in Japan. A worldwide release will follow. Korean developers were pleased with these terms. (The remaining ones pissed em off.)
2). Even if the prototype of the game is finished, the quality or marketability could be deemed low (a subjective term not clarified by either Sony or KIPA), the entire development cost would need to be paid to KIPA.
3). Since the game is slated for the PS3, the entire rights including the source code would be owned by Sony regardless of whether the title is published or not.
4). If the game is successful and a sequel is made, Sony will own all rights to the title.
5). When the game is released, all initial profit will go to the SCEJ to cover the development cost. After that is paid off, Sony and the development team would divide the remaining profit. However, at what percentage the development team starts to receive profit cannot presently be revealed.
Raw deal or fair shake?