Epic Games today announced a licensing deal to incorporate
GameSpy's suite of online technology into Unreal Engine 3. Under the terms of
the agreement, the technology will be immediately available to any publishers
or developers that license Unreal Engine 3.
The partnership will span both the PC and PlayStation 3
platforms within Unreal Engine 3, enabling PlayStation 3 and PC online
functionality. This feature, along with communication tools and competition
applications, will also be available to Unreal Engine 3 licensees.
"Over the past months we have fully integrated a broad
suite of GameSpy online technology in Unreal Engine 3 and have built a
fantastic working relationship with Epic. We look forward to extending that
relationship with a number of new technologies customized for Unreal Engine 3
to be introduced over the next 12 months," said Jamie Berger, senior vice
president of consumer products and technology for IGN Entertainment.
GameSpy multiplayer features include matchmaking services,
instant messaging, friends lists, player profiles and leaderboard statistics.
"We're very excited to welcome GameSpy into the
Integrated Partners Program," said Mark Rein, Vice President of Epic Games.
"GameSpy is the leader in multiplayer gaming technology and has a vast
amount of experience in developing rich and sophisticated multiplayer systems
with community and commerce features that Epic and its Unreal Engine 3 licensees
can directly benefit from. Having GameSpy integrate their technology into our
engine and provide direct support for our licensees is a huge value-add for
Unreal Engine 3."
Although Gears of War
thrives on Xbox Live, Epic has said it is not interested in Microsoft’s online
system – particularly with Games for Windows. While the Xbox 360 versions of
Unreal Engine 3 games will have to adhere to the Xbox Live rules, it’s clear
that Epic Games has made its choice for where PC and PS3 gamers will find their
deathmatches. Could this mean that Xbox 360 gamers will be excluded from
cross-platform play? Only time will tell.