Didn’t want to rein in any possible controversy
It seems Microsoft turned down PS3 exclusive Heavy Rain because it featured the kidnapping of children, according to developer Quantic Dream’s David Cage, speaking at the BAFTA Annual Games Lecture in London, Polygon reports.
Microsoft initially went after the French developer. “They really loved Fahrenheit,” Cage said, “and they really wanted to do something with us.” Alas, it seems Microsoft, “got scared,” when it learned the game would deal with child kidnapping. “They didn’t want the scandal,” Cage said. I don’t remember any scandal raining down on Sony after the game’s release. I suppose Microsoft was being overly cautious.
Quantic Dream, of course, then began working with Sony, leading to Heavy Rain‘s PS3 exclusivity. The relationship persisted, as well, with Quantic Dream’s Ellen Page-led Beyond: Two Souls launching this October. Something for PS4 is likely in the works, too. The developer has already made its amusing PS4 tech demo, The Dark Sorcerer, that typically precedes its games.
Cue the internet hating on David Cage for no good reason.
Heavy Rain originally turned down by Microsoft due to child kidnapping themes [Polygon]