GDC09: Sony encourages PSN exclusivity with Pub Fund
Developers will have one big reason to make games exclusively on the PlayStation Network: money. Sony's Chris Eden spoke at GDC about a new program available for developers called "Pub Fund." In an effort to make the online service more lucrative, the Pub Fund deal has Sony matching development budgets of PSN-exclusive titles. "We're looking for a number of great games, and in return for exclusivity we'll match your development budget with guaranteed royalties," Eden said.
The first game to be developed under the Pub Fund agreement is Burn Zombie Burn (pictured), available today on the PlayStation Store. The Pub Fund will entitle developers to financial assistance, without having to sacrifice their IPs. "This is not Sony buying your product," Eden noted. "You'll be the publisher, you'll own the IP and you'll control your product. This is assisting you to make your next step from developer to publisher."
We're not sure what the fine print entails, but Pub Fund sounds like an overall "win" for developers. Developers -- if you want to work with Sony, you may want to contact them at devrel-scea@playstation.sony.com.
