The word "exclusive" is a funny one in this industry of ours. While you'd think saying a franchise was exclusive to a console would mean it would only be released on that console until the exclusivity agreement was up, you'd be quite wrong. Still, when a company makes a big hooplah over the fact that they have the Grand Theft Auto franchise until 2004 like Sony did during their E3 2002 press conference, you imagine that kind of exclusive will stick. Guess not.



Rockstar Games announced today that they will be offering Grand Theft Auto III and GTA: Vice City as part of a bundle (a "double pack" if you will) so anyone who missed out on either of Rockstar North's masterpieces. The funky bit is that the pair of hits will be offered for the PlayStation 2 on October 22 and, in an decidedly un-exclusive turn, for the Xbox on November 4.



With both releases happening well before the October 2004 deadline set forth in the original agreement, it's a mystery as to how Sony will treat the deal, but if we hear more, we'll pass it on to you.