10 Things You Didn't Know About Heavy Rain
1. Microsoft Turned The Game Down As An Exclusive
Quantic Dream are known for working closely with Sony, with every game since Heavy Rain beginning life as PlayStation exclusives before being ported to PC in 2019. Interestingly, however, the original intent was for Heavy Rain to be exclusive to the PS3's competitor, the Xbox 360.
After the release of Fahrenheit in 2005, Microsoft became interested in working with Quantic Dream and further developing the style of gameplay and narrative that the game offered. However, upon learning of Heavy Rain's proposed subject matter (the abduction and killing of children), Microsoft backed out and chose not to publish it, fearing the scandal that seemed inevitable. As a result, Quantic Dream signed a three-game deal with Sony, starting with Heavy Rain and concluding with Detroit: Become Human.
Despite polarising critics, the game was a huge commercial success, outselling every single Xbox 360 title in the first quarter of 2010 and ultimately shipping over three million copies. Beyond: Two Souls, despite its lacklustre critical response, became another of the PS3's best selling titles, and Detroit: Become Human has similarly been a huge commercial success, shifting over three million units worldwide. Microsoft must be weeping into their billions over the decision to play this one safe.