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Epic Games will find a way to make UT3 work on Xbox 360 -- but it's not a priority

Mark Rein’s comments regarding the additional legroom afforded by Blu-ray Disc gave PlayStation 3 proponents a reason to celebrate. Thanks to the seemingly enormous storage space available on a Blu-ray Disc, future games from Epic may ship with more content than on other DVD-based consoles.

Rein’s comments, however, were not meant as a criticism of the Xbox 360, as the Epic Games VP explained in the official developer forums. He wrote, “I continue to be disappointed that folks on the internet treat any positive thing we say about one platform as some sort of critique of another platform. We're a multi-platform company folks please come to grips with that.”

In defense of his earlier comments, Rein said that he was simply stating the facts and that Xbox 360 owners will somehow have access to content that may not make it on a single DVD-9. “The simple facts state that the optical disc on the PS3 holds more data than the optical disc on the 360. If we exceed size of the 360s optical disc then we'll have to find alternative ways to get the content to 360 users such as making it downloadable,” he said.

As for why Epic couldn’t simply ship the game with multiple discs, Rein explained, “Adding a second DVD to a game like UT3 would be a challenge because when playing online you might not know exactly what map you're going to be playing next and we have to be able to accommodate users of the core system. So does that mean the disc on the 360 might have a map or two less? Possibly although it is too early to tell for sure.”

On the topic of game modifications – which thanks to Sony’s open architecture is the reason why Unreal Tournament III is a PlayStation 3 exclusive this year – Rein adds that Epic will work with Microsoft on preparing a comparable version of Unreal Tournament III for the Xbox 360, although it currently isn’t high on the developer’s list of  priorities.

“When it comes to user created mods on the 360 - we will work with Microsoft to find a way to support them. We just don't have all the answers today and it isn't our chief priority at this very moment because we already have our hands completely full shipping UT3 on PC and PS3 as well as shipping Gears of War on PC,” said Rein. “When we get those out of the way, and get a little time to spend with our friends and families, then we'll get back on this issue and figure it out.”

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Question - HD-DVD
By mrdelldude on 8/17/2007 9:20:28 AM , Rating: 2
I'm hardly an expert in these areas:

Is it not possible to use the external add-on HD-DVD for games?




RE: Question - HD-DVD
By mdogs444 on 8/17/2007 9:25:40 AM , Rating: 4
As discussed yesterday - it could be "physically possible", however, it seems as if MS has no immediate plans to do so yet. There would have to be firmware upgrades to the drive, and probably OS upgrades to the 360 just to allow that content to be read & executed correctly.

But the other side of the coin is - is it worth it to developers to code for the HD version, given that the number of HD drives sold isn't as high as the number of products they would need to sell? But, I could see MS paying them to do so, because it would increase HD drive sales. So who knows?!


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By mrdelldude on 8/17/2007 9:26:53 AM , Rating: 2
I didn't see this discussion yesterday. Thanks for recapping for me.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By mdogs444 on 8/17/2007 9:30:09 AM , Rating: 2
Not a problem. There should be more interesting views than mine. Look back to yesterdays topics on EPIC and the PS3


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By PaxtonFettel on 8/17/2007 9:28:25 AM , Rating: 3
It probably is, but it's just an add-on drive and won't be available for all. They could get round it by releasing two versions of the game: one on HDDVD and one on DVD9 with downloadable content, but then what do people with core systems do? The reason they want it all on one DVD is to avoid that kind of mess.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By BMFPitt on 8/17/2007 9:30:02 AM , Rating: 2
No, you can't currently do that. And even if you did, you'd be cutting out a giant chunk of your audience.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By mdogs444 on 8/17/2007 9:32:34 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
No, you can't currently do that.


Correct, currently you cannot. However, firmware upgrades for both the drive & 360 would be all it needs to make it possible.

quote:
And even if you did, you'd be cutting out a giant chunk of your audience.


Disagree. By releasing a DVD-9 version and an HD-DVD version - you would cater to all audiences as well as promote users to upgrade to HD-DVD drives.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By DingieM on 8/17/07, Rating: -1
RE: Question - HD-DVD
By philsworth on 8/17/2007 10:50:29 AM , Rating: 2
You got something against the Japanese?

quote:
but if I had more I neither would buy that Japanese thing.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By bkm32 on 8/17/2007 10:58:44 AM , Rating: 4
The main reason MS won't allow it is because of the cost comparison. For so long, MS has been touting how the X360 is less expensive than the PS3. This is true; the X360-Elite is the most expensive X360 configuration but is still $50 less than the least expensive PS3 configuration ($150 less than the 80GB PS3). However, when you add the HD-DVD accessory @ $180, the Elite skyrockets to $630. That's $30 more than the most expensive PS3 configuration and $130 more than the 60GB PS3. Throw in the wireless adapter, and you get into a feature pissing contest with the X360 coming out on the short end.

MS wants to avoid this at all costs and so far has been doing a good job of it. As long as MS stays in bed with 3rd party publishers like EA and keeps bragging rights over who has the best versions of EA sports franchises, they'll keep the sheople happily grazing.

I would like to personally add that although I'm a fan of MS' X360, I do not like that MS is charging consumers a "choice tax". Basically, they're saying, "we know that our system doesn't have all of the features of the PS3 out the box, but we give you the choice of adding those on at your leisure for an increased fee".

MS, keep deflecting with great games, and you'll win this year's battle against Sony. But come 2008, you'd better have something besides Too Human and Halo Wars. Oh yeah, and watch out for Nintendo, too.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By FITCamaro on 8/17/2007 11:32:43 AM , Rating: 1
Dark Sector, GTAIV, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, etc.

Yes those three named titles will also be on the PS3, but the required cost to play them on the 360 is far lower than the PS3.

I for one like the choice Microsoft gave me because I don't want any of the add-on accessories. If I wanted an HD DVD player, I'd get a standalone one. I use wired internet because its far better and more reliable than wireless. I also don't care about having to run a cable to my TV.

Yes the wireless internet adapter is extremely overpriced. I have to wonder though if you can plug in other USB wireless adapters and have it work. Ones that are far cheaper. An ethernet (as it in it plugs into the ethernet port) wireless adapter will also cost you $80-100.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By therealnickdanger on 8/17/2007 11:37:34 AM , Rating: 2
First off, the HD-DVD drive can be had in many places for $150, making the Elite + HD-DVD equal to the PS3 80GB in price. You lose wi-fi, but you gain 40GB. I understand you're talking MSRP, but you could put them on equal footing price-wise.

The "choice tax" as you put it is one of the main reasons the console is so successful, it's not a detriment. For the user who "wants it all", it appears as a negative, but those people are in the minority when the masses see the price tag. With the recent price drops, the 360 is extremely competitive, as I stated above.

If anything, Microsoft is probably on its way to integrating the HD-DVD drive into future models (probably limited to the Elite moniker). Adding the drive to the console will never be as cheap as the current DVD drive, but as they continue to reduce manufacturing costs with die shrinks and component streamlining, it's possible we'll see such an addition in the future. However, I imagine that we'll see the elimination of the Core so that all models have HDDs before we see HD-DVD integration.

The one thing that will most likely never happen (99.9% sure) is requiring HD-DVD to play games. Microsoft has been very clear on this issue. That's the only thing that would truly polarize the userbase, unless it were truly affordable. Offering games in two flavors (DVD9 and HD-DVD) also seems unlikely, but I could see future "Collector's Edition" titles releasing with a companion HD-DVD.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By bkm32 on 8/17/2007 1:21:49 PM , Rating: 1
FC& trnd,

I understand and appreciate your opinions, but I also have mine, and that is an unfavaorable view of the "choice tax". Furthermore, as a trend, more and more consumer electronics are moving toward an "all-in-one" configuration. This has led to the successes of the RaZr, Pearl/Curve, HTC's smartphones, the iPhone, and the latest crop of UMPCs. Even home theatres are getting in to the act. Check out a vendor known as "Fuze". Not to mention the popularity of the SUV here in America.

That said, it is my opinion based on the recent trends that more and more consumers are looking for "all-in-one" miracle devices in every particular market. This has been Sony's long-term strategy with the Playstation brand, which has shown itself in devices such as the PS2, PSP, and now the PS3. I believe it's the "new wave", sort of speak.

Anyway, that's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it. I could turn out to be totally wrong, but for now I see now reason to change my mind.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By therealnickdanger on 8/17/2007 1:57:07 PM , Rating: 3
All-in-one devices are becoming more mainstream, but they are always more expensive, which is why they don't achieve the high market penetration that stand-alone devices do. (not sure how the RaZr counts as all-in-one?) $600 PS3, $600 iPhone, $400+ PDA phones? That's outside the realm of mainstream, where the Wii and RaZr (and other free-after-rebate phones) lie.

All-in-one isn't new. Microsoft has been at the forefront of the integration movement - with greater ferver than Sony, if you ask me. They have done nothing but push convergence via their Media Center OS, media extenders (including the 360 and the original Xbox), PlaysForSure standard, Windows Mobile, and Windows Automobile. The list could go on, I'm sure. If all-in-one is what you're after, then the 360 gives you that for half the price of the PS3, minus the ability to play the limited library of next-gen movies.

If including a next-gen DVD player is your sole factor in deciding which is better, then I still default to the price comparison: they both cost the same and offer similar experiences. If having the drive built into the console is your sole factor, then the PS3 fails by not offering HD-DVD and the 360 fails by not offering HD-DVD or BD built-in.

Sounds like you just want to pay top dollar for the HD-DVD drive to be in the 360 and you want everyone else who doesn't care about HD-DVD to pay for the "convergence tax".


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By bkm32 on 8/17/2007 3:15:40 PM , Rating: 1
Dude,

Calm down. First, I don't want anyone to pay for any tax. I'm just stating my opinion/preference that I don't agree with MS' "choice tax". Second, when you add up the "options" for the X360 (include wi-fi and HD-DVD), The PS3 is a better value from a purely cost-effectiveness perspective (and use MSRPs since that's how most buy consumer electronics). BTW, the PS3's "convergence tax" is still less than the X360's "choice tax".

One more thing, my preference is still to purchase an Elite this holiday season, but my opinion of the value of the PS3 as an all-in-one device will not change. I will not be buying the HD-DVD add-on as I have no interest in either of the HD formats. I will be needing that wi-fi adapter, though. Therefore, my "choice" puts my purchase at a better value than the all-in-one comfort of the PS3 (unless Sony drops the price again). I'm just stating that I'd prefer that all of the "choices" that MS offers were less than or equal to the "convergence" of the PS3.

Incidentally, did you miss the part about me liking the X360 more than the PS3, or do you just attack anyone with a non-MS biased opinion. I like Vista! Don't shoot!

Listen, my opinion is no less valid than yours or anyone else who partakes in this forum, but "console bigots/nazis" take away from the real purpose of forums like DT--info/opinion-share. This is not a fansite.

Don't be that guy.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By therealnickdanger on 8/17/2007 5:25:13 PM , Rating: 2
Phew, thanks for telling me to calm down, 'cause my blood was really boiling, as you can tell from my outrageous and non-sensical posts.

No one is attacking you, you're just being paranoid. Perhaps you are the one who has the problem with other opinions? Neither myself nor FC even mocked you in any way. Whether you like Microsoft or Sony is really irrelevant to any of this, so there's no need to justify or defend yourself.

Honestly though, you could tone it down a tad. No one has even come close to being a "console bigot/nazi" in this thread and I don't like that you're insunating that I am one of them. You should probably just re-read my posts. Did I take any sort of "bigoted" or "Nazi-esque" approach in my replies? I clearly represent both consoles fairly and their pros/cons. You just don't like what I'm saying, that's all. In life you'll learn that just because people disagree with you doesn't mean they are "out to get you".

Some words of advice, don't pay MSRP for stuff. You can get the Microsoft-branded wireless adapter for about $85 online. There's also a couple other wired-to-wireless adapters out there for about $40-50 that will do the same thing without eating a USB port.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By Rampage on 8/20/2007 12:18:48 AM , Rating: 2
Well, the bottom line is that the 360 is a far more popular gaming system for hardcore gamers than the PS3.
Due to XBL, the consoles overall slick setup, and the great games available.

Now that the revised heatsink is in place, I'm going to buy an Elite.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By afkrotch on 8/20/2007 10:09:38 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
Nope, M$ will not allow it.

Although there is not enough room for ALL maps, do note that Xbox360 core owners only have to pay 279 euros/dollars to enjoy the "great" UT3. Now thats a bargain that you can not have with the PS3 that (still) sits in a niche market.

On a side note, Xbox360 have Halo3 (and other excellent titles like Mass Effect etc. etc.) that everyone expects to eclipse UT3 sales, and I think I will be by reading news about the upcoming Halo3 although i'm new to the Halo-verse. They don't miss unavailable UT3 maps all that much.
I highly expect Halo3 to be the killer experience and I'm still glad I invested in an Xbox360.
Though the PS3 will get nice games there is no reason for me to buy one. I have a relatively tight budget, but if I had more I neither would buy that Japanese thing.


Most of that had absolutely nothing to do with this little article.

Also, Xbox 360 core owners will have to buy the core and the game, plus a memory card, so the cost is more than 279 euros/dollars to play. Also for online play, that's another $50 a year and with a game like UT3, online play is important.

So we are looking at around $400 for all that. Course with a little 64 meg memory unit, you probably won't be able to get the updates or new maps. You might as well hop up to the Premium, which will bring you to $450 for all of that. You can go about $550 for a 60 gig PS3 and the game, while having more content than the Xbox 360 version, free online play, PC downloadable mods, ability to use keyboard/mouse, and earlier release. If you are really into UT, then I think the extra $100 is worthwhile. I'm not a huge UT fan, but I'll probably get it for PC. Won't get it for either my PS3 or Xbox 360. Higher cost, lower graphics. No thanks.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By softwiz on 8/17/2007 1:29:33 PM , Rating: 2
Wouldn't recommend it.

I'd think that using DVD18 (any manufacturing issues aside) would be much better strategy if it were possible to implement.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By Chiisuchianu on 8/20/2007 1:10:23 AM , Rating: 2
Not possible and not going to happen because the HD-DVD connects to the 360 through a port not fast enough for all the data it will need to push out.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By afkrotch on 8/20/2007 10:21:52 PM , Rating: 2
Someone doesn't know hardware. USB 2.0 has plenty of bandwith for 2x HD-DVD. At 2x, the transfer rate is 8.71 MB/s. USB 2.0 has a transfer rate of 60 MB/s.

Seeing as the Xbox 360's HD-DVD drive is only a 1x, I don't see USB 2.0 having issues. Shoot, USB 2.0 can support 8x HD-DVD.


RE: Question - HD-DVD
By Schmide on 8/20/2007 4:29:19 AM , Rating: 1
ut2004 avg map size 20meg without compression!!!
ut2004 avg texture size 20meg without compression!!!

and most textures for 2004 compress by almost half maps even more!

So how much greater can it get? You can only fill so much texture on a video card. Even if it's 5x as much texturing and 5x times as much polygons, and 5x the size of the current engine. You can fit a hell of a lot in 8+gb disk. There is no story to unreal, it's classic first person shoot um up. I bet if you try you could fit the game, 30 maps, and all the sounds you would ever need on one disk. Probably sneak in a few sexy time videos as well.

Marketing dollars are such a bitch.


One thing is certain:
By therealnickdanger on 8/17/2007 9:13:56 AM , Rating: 5
The best version, hands down, will be the PC version. Best graphics, most options, most mods, no restrictions, etc. Unreal Championship 1 and 2 for Xbox were really good games, but they can't hold a canlde to the memories I've had with the original UT and UT2K4 on PC.




RE: One thing is certain:
By mdogs444 on 8/17/2007 9:23:08 AM , Rating: 2
Agreed. FPS and shooter games, IMHO, are best played on PC. I find the controls much easier on a keyboard & mouse, than on a controller w/ thumbsticks. Plus, im preferential to playing on dual 8800GTS's and sitting 2 ft away from my 30" Dell monitor :-)


RE: One thing is certain:
By OxBow on 8/17/2007 9:50:58 AM , Rating: 2
I've heard that the PS3 version will allow Keyboard/Mouse play on the console. I agree that thumbsticks suck for control opposed to keyboard/mouse (especially for us old farts with arthritis). However, I do think that the combination of a keyboard on my lap and a mouse on the arm of my lazyboy might be more comfortable than playing so close up to my desk.

As I get older and more farsighted, my 42" LCD looks pretty clear and fine for me when it's 12' of so away (of course, I need my reading glasses to read my monitor here at my desk, but that's just par for the course :-)


RE: One thing is certain:
By therealnickdanger on 8/17/2007 10:13:19 AM , Rating: 4
All I have to say to that is you should connect your PC to your TV. Best of both worlds, IMO.


RE: One thing is certain:
By philsworth on 8/17/2007 10:48:03 AM , Rating: 3
I agree you can get the best experience for the PC.

But when working out what to buy you have to consider what percentage of PCs have the capability to show UT3 at it's best?

The advantage of a console is that while you might not get as good an experience on your PC, any game you buy will run well at no extra cost.

Having multiple SKU is fine, but when the core functionality differs between them (e.g. hard drive) you are giving that advantage up and moving into PC territory where an extra hardware purchase is common to play the latest games the way they were intended.

I am sure Microsoft will be very careful not to get into this kind of situation by relaxing the "no HDD" requirement or by offering HD-DVD verions of games (because inevitably a game will be released that requires it otherwise what is the point of it?)

I have always built my own PCs and gamed on them but I am truly fed up with always playing catch up with CPUs, memory, graphics cards, even monitors just to play the latest game when the hardware is perfectly sufficient for all the other things I do on the PC (web, programming, remoting into work etc)

That's what pushed me onto the console. Keyboard and Mouse on the PS3 is a dream come true and I hope it becomes widely supported by all FPS/RTS games and by the Xbox.

Also, because i don't need the PC for gaming, I have dumped windows and gone Linux, my old nvidia card still useful for the xgl.

To sum up, yes you get the best on a PC but at what cost.


RE: One thing is certain:
By therealnickdanger on 8/17/2007 11:16:08 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
To sum up, yes you get the best on a PC but at what cost.

That remains to be seen, but the Unreal Engine has always been highly efficient, and all current info points to UE3 being every bit as efficient. A high-end DX9 card (7950GT or X1950XT) should be extremely capable of running UT3 at 1280-res with high effects/detail. You can buy either card for as little as $150. I'm certain there will be ultra-high settings and maybe even special render paths available to DX10 users. There is speculation there will even be a DX8 render path for older systems. There is supposedly a 64-bit mode to offer better texturing. The engine is highly scalable, so I wouldn't be suprised to see current budget systems playing UT3 at medium settings.


RE: One thing is certain:
By afkrotch on 8/20/2007 10:46:40 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
I have always built my own PCs and gamed on them but I am truly fed up with always playing catch up with CPUs, memory, graphics cards, even monitors just to play the latest game when the hardware is perfectly sufficient for all the other things I do on the PC (web, programming, remoting into work etc)


Huh? You do know that you can simply turn down quality options in a game on PCs. I for one was playing games on a 3.4 ghz P4 with 1 gig of ram and a 6800GT for over 3 years. I was waiting for something from Intel that would have made upgrading worthwhile. Even now, I'm still able to play on that old system. I set it up as a lan party box, as my main gaming rig is around 80 lbs. I've played Oblivion, Supreme Commander, Tiberium Wars, etc on the machine. I simply have to turn down the settings in the game. Graphics quality ends up staying the same, regardless of whatever game I throw in. Cept Supreme Commander. Had to turn down quite a bit, cause the game is an extreme resource hog.

If you constantly upgrade, you have the benefit of having better graphics on newer games. With consoles, you don't have to upgrade, but you are stuck with whatever graphics are available. There's really no huge improvement over the years. Sure, they can better optimize, but you aren't gaining huge leaps in graphics quality. No different for those ppl who don't upgrade their PCs that often.

With a PC, you can probably live with upgrading about once every 5 years. Maybe more, but that'd be pushing it. You can also stop gaming on that machine and use it for other things. Build a new machine and then use the old for like an HTPC, file server, etc. Once a console is done...there's not much else you can use it for.


RE: One thing is certain:
By skyyspam on 8/19/2007 5:22:15 PM , Rating: 2
Yep. Especially concerning difficulty--look at the trailers for console shooters, such as Bioshock. The in-game video is taken from somebody using a thumbstick controller, and it's obvious that the AI has to be both dumbed down and slowed down to accomodate for the slower control interface.

UT is about speed and accuracy--think about the double-tap movement combos, and the quick, precise mouse movements required to aim. It's not something I'd enjoy playing with sluggish thumb sticks and limited number of buttons.


Content...
By Chadder007 on 8/17/2007 9:39:36 AM , Rating: 1
Extensive filler content such as useless CGI Video??




RE: Content...
By kellehair on 8/17/2007 10:52:16 AM , Rating: 2
Exactly. Why can't they fit the game on one DVD-9? If a huge game like Oblivion can do it why can't a seemingly smaller game such as this one as well?


RE: Content...
By IceTron on 8/17/07, Rating: -1
RE: Content...
By kellehair on 8/17/2007 4:25:16 PM , Rating: 2
Thanks Captain Obvious.

What is all that space being used for? Is the space being used efficiently? Is this part of a campain to generate buzz?


RE: Content...
By phideo on 8/17/2007 4:54:48 PM , Rating: 3
Believe it or not, that's all he needed to say. UT3 is a different game. It uses entirely different assets. The "scale" of the world has practically nothing to do with it. Oblivion could have easily fit more content on the disc by compacting assets that weren't compacted (audio). I'd guess Bethesda could have shaved around 800 megs off the required space simply by compressing the audio with little to no degradation.

The sheer amount of surface detail in UT3 is immense in comparison with the relatively antiquated Oblivion. Surface detail means higher resolution textures; means more space required to store those textures. Textures are the number one memory-eater of most games, which is why Carmack's been pushing MegaTexture so hard with Tech 4 and 5.

I'm not sure how Rein statement that the game not fitting on a DVD-9 could be skewed as an attempt to generate buzz. That doesn't really make any sense.


RE: Content...
By Cheapshot on 8/17/2007 4:58:29 PM , Rating: 2
It is being used for 1. Maps - quite a few of them in fact. 2. Mods... there are several ways to change a game such as instagib, vehicles, big head, zoom insta, low grav, and the list goes on.
3. Mutators
4. Gametypes - Many different gametypes such as DM, Warfare, CTF, VCTF, etc...
5. A single player campaign with about 10 hours of content.
6. Gamespy integration
7. UTStats
And I am sure much more that I cannot think of at this point.

Its a factor of User created content that was integrated into the game... one of the main reasons UT became such a unique franchise to begin with.

Any Mid level computer will be able to play this game... why even bother with the console when it can be played against the big dogs on a PC.


Stupid Core System
By phattyboombatty on 8/17/2007 9:58:49 AM , Rating: 3
The article is very revealing that the core system is the primary road block. Before reading this article I had wondered why Epic couldn't simply ship the game on multiple disks. I think it was stupid for Microsoft to have the core system. I don't know the percentage of purchasers that elected to buy a core system, but I don't personally know anyone that bought one. But now until the end of the Xbox 360's life cycle every 360 owner is going to be constrained by the weakest version.




RE: Stupid Core System
By mars777 on 8/17/2007 10:21:11 AM , Rating: 1
Wise words.

But 0k ought to be enough for everyone!


RE: Stupid Core System
By DingieM on 8/17/2007 10:48:49 AM , Rating: 2
Then why is the Wii so popular? Its damn cheap.
No problems there.


RE: Stupid Core System
By phattyboombatty on 8/17/2007 11:03:11 AM , Rating: 2
There's nothing wrong with an inexpensive gaming console. The Wii is fun to play and I like it. My beef is entirely with Microsoft for limiting those consumers that have elected to pay more because of the few that have chosen to buy the cheaper version. There should be a giant caveat on the Core System packaging that says that it may not be able to take advantage of all features or play all future games. Of course this will probably never happen because it would hurt Core System sales.

I'm angry because my Premium system is fully capable of handling a multi-DVD version of UT3 by saving data onto the hard drive, but it won't happen because the people that have paid less for their core systems can't do the same.


RE: Stupid Core System
By IceTron on 8/17/07, Rating: -1
RE: Stupid Core System
By phattyboombatty on 8/17/2007 3:15:06 PM , Rating: 2
If you had read the article you would have seen that it is exactly the case, as spoken by Mark Rein himself.

By the way, I will probably get the PC version of this game.


By bysmitty on 8/17/2007 8:55:34 AM , Rating: 3
I'm so tired of hearing the word exclusive used incorrectly. It is not a PS3 exclusive if it also being released on the PC at the same time. It can be a 'console exclusive' but it is not an 'exclusive'.

Sorry, pointless rant over.

...bysmitty




By deeznuts on 8/17/2007 1:28:08 PM , Rating: 2
You are correct sir. However, the big fight is PS3 vs. 360, (Wii and PC users jump in sometimes) and in those wars, the "console" part of the term gets dropped.


Xbox HDD
By AnnihilatorX on 8/17/2007 1:02:00 PM , Rating: 2
I don't have a Xbox but can games be installed on HDD?
If map files can be installed on HDD then there's no problem of shortage of space, plus the game will load quicker.




RE: Xbox HDD
By deeznuts on 8/17/2007 6:15:11 PM , Rating: 2
Of course they can but MS came out with a core system (inexplicably so since HDDS even back then are cheap and I believe it's just a drop in, I believe you take your HDD out when you send in for repairs) with no Hard Drive.


HD DVD Combo
By RosscoB on 8/17/2007 6:41:52 PM , Rating: 2
One question I havent seen asked and am curious about is why Microsoft would not allow for a manufacturer to use the HD-DVD combo disks; after all most HD-DVD movies currently play as a combo, DVD on one side, then HD-DVD on the other




RE: HD DVD Combo
By afkrotch on 8/20/2007 10:54:33 PM , Rating: 2
If you read the other posts, you'd know that this would end up alienating many of the Xbox 360 owners out there. Not everyone buys an HD-DVD drive. Then HD-DVD combos cost more. You are still stuck with insufficient space on the DVD portion of the combo for those who would use the DVD portion. Last of all, those who can only use the DVD portion are stuck paying higher prices, cause it's an HD-DVD combo.

It'd be a pretty stupid move.


Uh huh
By dagamer34 on 8/17/2007 6:13:34 PM , Rating: 2
Just "trying" to make it work with the system that practically sees the most marketshare for console FPS game? Yeah... ok.

-_-

As if a bunch of retarded FPS fans are going to buy the PS3 version because it aint so good on the Xbox 360. They'd drop dead first. Everyone knows that the PC version is THE version to get for any good FPS. n00bs.




Fuel the fire
By randomname on 8/17/2007 8:11:23 PM , Rating: 2
If you want developer comments on the limitations of different consoles, give this a try:

http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/926/926417/vids...

According to John Carmack, you first run out of memory on the ps3, as you have a 256 + 256 MB split, of which the OS reserves 96 MB, whereas the OS reserves 32 MB from the 512 MB on Xbox 360. So development of PC and Xbox 360 titles might be concurrent (or X360 slightly behind), while the PS3 would be running months behind, and possibly requiring more difficult changes in technology. (All the numbers are from my memory, but should be on the video.)




Knowing Microsoft...
By JonnyDough on 8/17/2007 7:22:06 PM , Rating: 1
Knowing M$ they will charge users for any additional maps for a limited period of time before making them free, much like they demanded with Halo2.




How much money did Sony pay?
By snorky on 8/17/07, Rating: -1
RE: How much money did Sony pay?
By phattyboombatty on 8/17/2007 10:01:18 AM , Rating: 2
As I noted in another post, the core system (which doesn't have a hard drive) prevents game developers from doing anything that requires a hard drive (other than subsequent downloadable content).


RE: How much money did Sony pay?
By Aikouka on 8/17/2007 10:08:00 AM , Rating: 2
Microsoft recently lifted the restriction that made it so developers couldn't require a hard drive.

Although I see this as more of a reason for MMO games like the new Final Fantasy XI expansion coming out.


RE: How much money did Sony pay?
By DingieM on 8/17/2007 10:11:03 AM , Rating: 3
M$ is giving customers that cannot afford much, great games and graphics, thats why they build the system that way.
Soon the core will get to the same price-point as the old Wii price-point, but with the best games out there.
Within a half a year people will probably be able to play Mass Effect, PGR4, Gears of War, UT3, BioShock, Halo 3 etc. for only $250. That is going to be a bargain and thats going to draw a lot of attention.


RE: How much money did Sony pay?
By mars777 on 8/17/2007 10:19:16 AM , Rating: 2
If i was you i woudnt make my <table> touch his </table> since i hate those kinds of senseless bashers :P


RE: How much money did Sony pay?
By FITCamaro on 8/17/07, Rating: 0
RE: How much money did Sony pay?
By phideo on 8/17/07, Rating: 0
Stop the CGI cutscenes
By mankopi on 8/17/07, Rating: -1
RE: Stop the CGI cutscenes
By afkrotch on 8/20/2007 11:07:10 PM , Rating: 1
Ah, the stupidity. PC games are extremely compressed on the DVD. Once installed, games end up ranging in the 8+ gigs. A console cannot uncompress the data in realtime fast enough to run the game at the same time, let alone have enough resources to even play the game acceptably.

As time goes on, games are just going to get larger. Also cutscenes and CGI movies add to the plot of the story. What good is a cookie cutter game, if not for the story.


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