Last week, Microsoft announced that Shadowrun, its multiplayer-only first-person shooter, had finally gone gold and would arrive in stores on May 29th. The game, which ships simultaneously for both Xbox 360 and Windows Vista-equipped PCs, is based on the cult classic pen-and-paper role-playing game, which blended both fantasy and cyberpunk elements. The timing of its release seemed to us strange, coming as it does two weeks MS:into the three-week beta trial of Halo 3's multiplayer--with any self-respecting Xbox 360 fanatic certain to be spending hours on Halo 3's trio of sample maps, how many people would be fired up to purchase Shadowrun during its first week on the market? Second, we wondered how Microsoft could justify charging Xbox 360 gamers $60 for Shadowrun when PC gamers would only have to pay $50 for precisely the same game? Rather than simply speculate or opine, we dashed off a few questions to Microsoft Game Studios corporate vice president Shane Kim. Here's what he emailed back.
By shipping on May 29th, doesn't Shadowrun risk being overshadowed by the Halo 3 multiplayer beta during its crucial first week of sales?
MS: Were committed to the long-term success of Shadowrun and understand a titles fate is not decided based on first week sales. The coinciding Halo 3 multiplayer beta is actually going to provide some great opportunities for us to transition some of our hardcore FPS [first-person shooter] gamers over to Shadowrun when the beta expires in early June. Halo 3 and Shadowrun will further prove to gamers that Xbox Live and Games for Windows Live is the best online gaming service for action titles. Additionally, another Microsoft Game Studio title, Forza Motorsport 2, will also be launching on May 29th.
Since Microsoft is the first-party publisher of Shadowrun, the company doesn't have to pay itself the customary console royalty on the 360 version of the game. Why, then, do Xbox 360 gamers have to pay $60 for the same game that PC gamers only have to pay $50? Is this the pricing strategy that consumers should expect for future 360/PC cross-platform titles from Microsoft?
MS: The $59.99 for Xbox 360 and $49.99 for Windows Vista price points are our standard pricing for each platform. This pricing structure is not uncommon in the multiplayer-only first-person shooter genre, as numerous titles have seen success at this price point and gaming model. I think its premature to speak to pricing for all future projects, but as of now this is our pricing structure for our marquee titles like Shadowrun. Additionally, MGS has the same development costs as other developers and publishers out there. One advantage other publishers have that we do not is that they can leverage their marketing and development costs over all platforms, while we are focused on Windows and Xbox 360 as a first party publisher.
Sony has signaled that its multiplayer-only Warhawk will be sold for less than full price, and as a download. Was that ever considered for Shadowrun? How confident are you that a multiplayer-only console game can be successful at retail at full price?
MS: The comparison of Sonys Warhawk to Shadowrun isnt a fair, apple-to-apples comparison. We dont even know what Warhawk will really be when it finally releases, but we do know that Shadowrun is offering an amazing, innovative gaming experience with groundbreaking connectivity on multiple platforms, providing a rich cross-platform opportunity for gaming communities of Xbox 360 and Windows to come together. We think Shadowrun has tremendous potential and I can see it becoming a long time favorite with FPS fans and competitive gaming leagues.
