The person responsible for removing PT from the PSN store speaks for the first time

[jdnation]

"The person responsible for putting PT onto the Sony storefront - as well as having to take it back off again - has spoken about the situation for the first time.

Pearl L, who was Konami's first-party lead at the time, took to Twitter to talk candidly - and diplomatically - about the time the free-to-play Silent Hills teaser was controversially pulled from the Sony store eight years ago yesterday (12th August).

When asked if it had been an "awkward" u-turn, Pearl added: "Awkward is right! We'd already gone through a lot to get it set up, got a lot of operational exceptions. And then to add the request to block redownload? More engineering workarounds. It was exciting to see people hype about it and see the work pay off! But in a way also not."

A commenter who works at Sony added: "I remember these times. Pearl was always staying late to work on these projects. I also remember how we were baffled how it was solved in a day when Kojima expected months."

Pearl also talked sympathetically about the affect the removal had on Sony and Konami customer service representatives, who she said "already had a tough time as it was".

Eight years on, and the interest in PT and Silent Hills is as strong as its ever been. Bloober, the developer behind the Blair Witch games and The Medium, struck a deal with Silent Hill publisher Konami last year. Ever since, rumours it's working on a new Silent Hill game have been swirling, and even alleged concept art has leaked from a supposed Silent Hill game that may be set in Britain."

https://www.eurogamer.net/the-person-re ... first-time

It sounds as though Sony made a lot of exceptions to accomodate Kojima and Konami. This may indicate that either Sony had some exclusivity deal for the hypothetical Silent Hills project in place, or that Sony was the only platform that was willing to bend the rules for Konami, therefore P.T., despite being made on the FOX Engine, was not offered similar privileges on Xbox, but Sony did it as a favor.

If the former, perhaps there was still an agreement in place for a PlayStation-deal for a new Silent Hill?

[Vixx]

Hey - I wrote this news story! Edited to removed Pearl's surname, though, at her request.

[Burning Man]

Ah, it's always a humbling experience to hear from someone working in operations. They do have to deal with unreasonable demands sometimes.

Off to read the full article written by Vixx!