Ninja Theory: exclusivity is "draining"

Heavenly Sword developer Ninja Theory has recalled how being used as a pawn in a console war was both draining and, at times, unfairly abusive.

"When you are exclusive, sometimes the pressure to demonstrate technology can override other aspects of game development," studio co-fouder Tameem Antoniades told Eurogamer in an interview published today. "Being involved in one side of a format war as if it's the machines that make great games can also be draining.

"You get a lot of attention as an exclusive developer which is great, but on the flip side there was a lot of anti-Sony feeling going on which I felt was unfairly being directed at our team.

"Our focus is now on building as compelling a game as we can and I am more comfortable with that," he added.

Released in August 2007, Heavenly Sword was an eye-catching example of what Sony's PS3 could accomplish. Cinematically the game had, and has, few peers.

Ninja Theory is now hard at work on Enslaved, a post-apocalyptic romp for Xbox 360 as well as PS3. The story, written by Alex Garland (The Beach), follows an unlikely partnership between Monkey (Andy Serkis) and Trip. It's loosely based on the old Chinese tale Journey to the West.

Head over to our full interview with Tameem Antoniades about Enslaved to find out more.