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PC and PlayStation 3 gamers to play together in Unreal Engine 3 games

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.

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The big question:
By Frank M on 8/16/2007 9:39:41 AM , Rating: 3
Why would a PC player want to play on a dual PC-console server? As far as I've experienced, the online console crowd is severely lacking in maturity. Couple this with the auto-aim that generally comes with controller-based shooters, and you have a huge step down for most PC users.




RE: The big question:
By omnicronx on 8/16/2007 9:42:29 AM , Rating: 2
you shouldn't automatically assume auto aim would be enabled in online play :)


RE: The big question:
By Master Kenobi (blog) on 8/16/2007 10:28:03 AM , Rating: 3
I agree the online console crowd is severely lacking in maturity. But hey thats what the console crowd is.

On a site note, I can see someone loading up a speed hack and aimbot from their PC and beating the console guys senseless. Not like it would really be necessary. Can you see the moron kiddies on their PS3 trying to compete with a PC Unreal veteran? Yea I can't either. Oh well, it should give the PC guys something to talk about, maybe start up a website "http://consolekiddiesschooled.org/" to keep track of them, yea.


RE: The big question:
By ioKain on 8/16/2007 10:55:44 AM , Rating: 2
LOL, nice. I would love, absolutely LOVE, to play some console kids while I'm on my computer in an FPS game. Oh, I can hear the !@## talk now.


RE: The big question:
By MrHanson on 8/16/07, Rating: 0
RE: The big question:
By PAPutzback on 8/16/2007 11:26:21 AM , Rating: 3
Freaking duh! Of course we do. It is the higher pixel count on our 1600x1200 lcds and 100+ FPS that makes everything bigger.


RE: The big question:
By cbo on 8/16/2007 12:03:50 PM , Rating: 2
after 60 fps can you tell?


RE: The big question:
By Etsp on 8/16/2007 3:43:45 PM , Rating: 2
I honestly say that I can't. However, I can tell at a glance the difference between 60hz refresh rate and 75hz... 60fps is good enough for me...

But in CS 1.6 you gotta have that 100 fps else, "your bullets won't register" according to my former "CPL" friend (who never did go... after they got a sponsor to go WoW came out and their team kinda fell apart >.<;)


RE: The big question:
By 3kliksphilip on 8/17/2007 6:27:56 PM , Rating: 2
you can smell it.

It depends what refresh rate your monitor is. People can make out things flashed on screen for as little as 1/250th of a second. I guess that you need to experience it to tell the difference.


RE: The big question:
By hadifa on 8/17/2007 8:03:20 PM , Rating: 2
People are different. Some people are more sensitive.For example there are many people working in 60hz refresh rate and are not bothered by it. I have seen few who can tell the difference over 85HZ (and even that is usually achieved after I educate! them).

Personally, I cannot work with under 100Hz. using 85hz and lower gives me headache in less than 30 minutes. I can easily see the flickering in less than and equal to 100hz.

To me 120HZ is nice and I can work with that for 8-10 hours with no issues if the brightness and contrast are adjusted properly. That is why I use the odd resolution of 1280*960 for my desktop and almost all the games because for anything higher I cannot get 120hz.

You may not believe this but given certain condition, I can even notice the CRT flickering in over 140hz.

And then there is the issue of the games. Not all games are made equal. Adventure games can be alright in 30FPS but the faster the need for FPS. Twitchy games like UT and CS need very high FPS. I won't be surprised if people claim they prefer over even 100FPS.


RE: The big question:
By afkrotch on 8/21/2007 12:18:38 AM , Rating: 2
Wow, I never heard so much bull. You do understand that refresh rates don't mean jack with an LCD. Whether you have your monitor set to 60 hz or 120 hz doesn't mean squat. For an LCD, it's about response time.

Refresh rate is for phosphors dimming. Obviously an LCD has no phosphors, so it's all really just moot. You aren't going to notice any difference.

Response time is like refresh rate for LCDs. Response time is about how long it takes a pixel to go from active to inactive to active.


RE: The big question:
By hadifa on 9/14/2007 7:29:18 AM , Rating: 2
I was talking about CRT. While I didn't mentioned CRT in the beginning of the post, some common sense could help you


RE: The big question:
By psyph3r on 8/16/2007 12:06:59 PM , Rating: 4
you obviously either don't have a computer worth playing games on or you have never done it. PC's are inherently better in control, graphics, and speed. And when you need a 3000$ computer to play a pc game, it automatically makes the entire crowd much more mature due to pocket book restrictions. I've been playing UT since i was very little on pc...it's time to OWN some console kiddies! joysticks can never aim as well as a 3200 dpi mouse. hahahaha!


RE: The big question:
By ObscureCaucasian on 8/16/2007 2:20:11 PM , Rating: 2
You do know that the PS3 version will support Mouse and Keyboard too right? Just because it's a PS3 doesn't mean that the player will be using a controller.

Also PS3 users have the option of playing in controller only matches, or keyboard only, or both. I assume the PC has the same options.


RE: The big question:
By Alpha4 on 8/16/2007 3:06:20 PM , Rating: 1
The PS3 can use Mouse & Keyboard for UT3? I'll have to google that information, but for now do you have a link? That would be pretty kick ass.

BUT....... Thats not the end of it. The Dreamcast had a mouse & keyboard, of which I am a proud owner, but that didn't stop me from getting schooled in Quake III by PC users on Seganet. Users with patch 1.16n were able to log onto Seganet and compete/target practice against us console owners.

By the way, I've not heard about any controller-only server filters by Epic. It sounds smart, but that sounds pretty difficult to enforce on the PC end assuming PS3 will even have M&KB support. Plus I could see a determined PC user exploiting it and somehow joining with mouse & keyboard in the first place and owning up a shitstorm.


RE: The big question:
By omnicronx on 8/16/2007 3:11:17 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
. The Dreamcast had a mouse & keyboard, of which I am a proud owner, but that didn't stop me from getting schooled in Quake III by PC users on Seganet
Lol i said the same thing, Glad someone is with me!!! and yes the ps3 natively supports mouse and keyboard and UT3 will take advantage of these features.


RE: The big question:
By mars777 on 8/16/2007 4:18:12 PM , Rating: 2
You don't need a link. The PS3 supports any USB mouse or keyboard. Just read the specs.


RE: The big question:
By GreenyMP on 8/17/2007 11:01:14 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
You don't need a link. The PS3 supports any USB mouse or keyboard. Just read the specs.


That is true. But most games on the PS3 do not support mapping controls to the keyboard/mouse. The game has to explicitly support mapping the controls over.

This is the first that I have heard that Unreal will support this. Now I just need two 12' USB extension chords.


RE: The big question:
By deeznuts on 8/17/2007 1:15:36 PM , Rating: 2
http://kotaku.com/gaming/gamespy/ps3-ut3-supports-...

Yeah it was announced at the same time as rumors for PC-PS3 cross-play, which was denied and then now confirmed.


RE: The big question:
By MrHanson on 8/16/2007 3:23:24 PM , Rating: 1
Well I guess that Core2 duo with 2 gigs of ram and a 8800gtx that I just recently built doesn't count then. I know my puny underpowered PC doesn't match the core2 quads with 2 8800ultra's running in SLI like most of the posters here, but for a $500-600 for a fucking video card, it better damn well look significantly better than any console game out there which is rarely the case except for Crysis which will probably, by the time it is released require me to throw away my 8800gtx and get something more powerful in order for it to run decently. Yes the ADWE keyboard and mouse layout works well for shooters, but with UT3 you have the option of mouse and keyboard at least on PS3.


RE: The big question:
By Lightning III on 8/16/2007 1:08:36 PM , Rating: 1

NO JUST HAIR AROUND OURS


RE: The big question:
By 3kliksphilip on 8/16/2007 12:17:49 PM , Rating: 1
I disagree. Although there are younger people that play on Consoles (ie, they don't cost as much as a good PC), there are plenty of older people as well who can't be bothered with the hassle of reformatting, installing and removing viruses etc. I've got a PlayStation 1 and a PC. Although I was amazing at Quake 2 multiplayer on the PlayStation, I wouldn't be able to compete with any one with a keyboard and mouse. I'd love to see something like this happen with css. The only way that console people would be able to compete would be to eliminate recoil or have auto aim.

The plus side would be that there would be more servers to choose from and more people to play against, but people with auto aim could be accused of hacking, whilst PC gamers with hacks could simply claim to be console players. If you think that consoles are immature, join a CSS server. American servers seem to have something against Tony Blair and shouting 'BOOM HEADSHOT, yeah, that's the American style!'. I'm sure that there are plenty of mature players as well, but I haven't dared to visit an American server since, plus the lag KILLS.


RE: The big question:
By omnicronx on 8/16/2007 12:29:09 PM , Rating: 2
who are you kidding most CSS players dont even know who Tony Blair is. I played for the first time in a few years a while back to get my head blown off by an 8 year old, whose father was playing in the same server. Theres nothing like hearing PWN! YOU JUST GOT PWNED BY AN 8 YEAR OLD PWN!.. needless to say i was on the floor laughing until i laughed myself to sleep.

I think it really all depends on the game, some online games are filled with kids, others are not, all depends where you look.

Funny thing is i recently moved from Xboxlive underground to the one higher(cant remember the name) and amazingly there were more adults on there then in underground haha.


RE: The big question:
By 3kliksphilip on 8/17/2007 6:25:08 PM , Rating: 2
Our entire clan knows who Tony Blair is, even our youngest member, who's 13 and lives in Denmark. He can't speak English that well, and doesn't play css that well, but he's lovely. Bless him.

I can tell that the majority of people here don't play games, as every time I say anything from a Gamer's point of view somebody head shots my post rating. In the face.


RE: The big question:
By philsworth on 8/16/2007 12:52:50 PM , Rating: 2
What about an Unreal Veteran playing on PS3? The games should be identical and the PS3 has a keyboard and mouse.


RE: The big question:
By therealnickdanger on 8/16/2007 3:41:04 PM , Rating: 2
Wait for the reviews, I'd say. I find the whole console vs. PC maturity argument rather moot. Both have their fair share of a-holes and nubz. If anything I would argue that there are more immature gamers on PC if only due to the higher number of PCs in the market. The fact that PCs are more expensive doesn't matter much since there are plenty of kids who play games on the computer their parents bought.

There's a reason that I usually don't use voicechat no matter if I'm on Live or on the PC. I really only use voice when in clan vs. clan matches for team strategy.


RE: The big question:
By afkrotch on 8/21/2007 12:35:38 AM , Rating: 2
Still limited in graphics. Higher resolutions and higher graphic, means the PC player will see more. Keyboard and mouse aren't the only limiting factors of a console.


RE: The big question:
By rudy on 8/16/2007 1:48:52 PM , Rating: 2
I am a PC gamer and I would love to have more games where the netcode allowed for anyone on any platform to play together. lets be honest consoles are taking over. Sad it is. But with the current money consoles dump into getting exclusive contracts and getting devs to make games as well as the higher number of players we just have to find a compromise. If I can keep playing on my PC and have people to play with I am all for that.


RE: The big question:
By JAH on 8/16/2007 2:07:54 PM , Rating: 2
I hate blanket statement like this. I play online with the PS3, 360 and high end PC and I've met mature and immature people on all three platforms - none more then the others.


RE: The big question:
By Martimus on 8/16/2007 3:48:04 PM , Rating: 2
I have never played a multiplayer console FPS other than Golden Eye, and that wasn't online, so I don't know how immature players can be. I do know that online PC FPS players are very immature, to the point I don't like playing people unless I know them personally. If console play is even worse, I can't imagine anyone wanting to play an online console FPS.


hmmm
By mdogs444 on 8/16/07, Rating: 0
RE: hmmm
By Gul Westfale on 8/16/2007 9:10:27 AM , Rating: 2
if you could use gamespy on the 360 then MS wouldn't be able to charge you a fee for live. so maybe it was MS that didn't want gamespy.


RE: hmmm
By mdogs444 on 8/16/2007 9:13:36 AM , Rating: 2
I dont believe that would be true. You will still need LIVE to play your 360 online, but it would also give PC users access to the same network to play against you. I dont think it means that if the 360 would work with gamespy that youd automatically not need live anymore.


RE: hmmm
By therealnickdanger on 8/16/2007 11:26:14 AM , Rating: 2
Exactly, it's just like EA. You have to have Live to connect through to EA's servers to play their games online with the Xbox/360. For whatever reason, EA wants to manage the tracking/hosting experience for their games.

Epic is taking it a step further by using GameSpy to allow for PS3/PC gameplay - on top of managing connections and stats. The only thing that would keep 360 users from doing this as well is if Microsoft and GameSpy can't arrive at an agreement. With MS's big push for GFWLive, I'm not so sure they will knuckle under. They caved in for EA back when the Xbox was being stomped by the PS2, but the tables are a bit different now. We'll see, as the author wrote.


RE: hmmm
By mdogs444 on 8/16/2007 12:55:21 PM , Rating: 2
Ok, so it is POSSIBLE to do it, but an agreement (most likely monetary) would need to be made between MS and gamespy.

So can someone tell me why i've been rated to a -1? Or is it because the PS3 people are offended by the truth? I dont get some of these people, they rate a comment down, but provide no response.


RE: hmmm
By omnicronx on 8/16/2007 1:09:41 PM , Rating: 2
oh thats not a user rating, thats a coolness rating, sorry mdogs.. jk, i was surprised too when i saw you rated down for that, you make a good point. on another note was not MS in a legal battle with Gamespy over the gamespy name? there could still be some bad blood between the two.


RE: hmmm
By therealnickdanger on 8/16/2007 4:17:23 PM , Rating: 2
Microsoft has used GameSpy in their products before (Halo PC), so I'm not so sure about bad blood. If there was any previous hostility, I'm sure it was nothing compared to the storm on the horizon as Microsoft attempts to bring Games for Windows Live into the mainstream - an area currently dominated by GameSpy, and, to a lesser extent, Steam. With the monster UE3 integrating GameSpy and dismissing Live (for PC), that's a pretty big indicator as to the fight Microsoft has on its hands.


RE: hmmm
By Cheapshot on 8/16/2007 5:33:10 PM , Rating: 2
The problem I see with this is in a statement made by Mark Reins or Steve Polge it was said that in order to play UTIII in cross-platform there would have to be a bit of a slow down for the PC to match the slower PS3 speed.

While this may not seem like a big deal... I for one would immediately leave that server if I noticed a drop in game speed. So as far as not knowing if the other guy is on a PS3 or not it doesn't matter so much... The gamespeed itself will determine the players.

Of course some PC gamers like it slower than those adrenaline junkies out there.


RE: hmmm
By omnicronx on 8/16/2007 9:17:58 AM , Rating: 2
Ya i am pretty sure gamespy is an open network, i remember hating gamespy back in the day and i used a program called ALLUSEE or something, it accessed the gamespy network, and i could play the same games and talk to friends. No reason why xbox live players cant play with others, only thing i can tell that would set things back is the lack of ability to play mods, but who knows maybe MS will work there way around this.


RE: hmmm
By Homerboy on 8/16/2007 9:23:25 AM , Rating: 3
"back in the day" QUAKEspy was the defacto and the original. Even the early versions of gamespy were rock solid.


RE: hmmm
By omnicronx on 8/16/2007 9:34:27 AM , Rating: 2
if you liked tons of adds and extra BS you did not need.
there were a few clones with no adds and all the functionality i needed.


RE: hmmm
By omnicronx on 8/16/2007 9:14:03 AM , Rating: 4
Epic already said before they would be going with an open online system. Reasons for this i am guessing include mods and other things that are normally available for the PC, and by going with this system it also makes it available for the ps3. Xbox Live being a closed system does not have these luxuries.


RE: hmmm
By FITCamaro on 8/16/2007 9:58:39 AM , Rating: 2
It's already been proven that outside systems can work with Xbox Live. Look at Final Fantasy XI. Epic is just as big a heavy hitter as SE, and Microsoft knows how big UT is. The last thing they want to do is make their system the one that doesn't get to play with others.

On the flip side though, I doubt many console owners want to play with PC owners since PC owners have a control advantage. I'm sure the console versions will have some kind of auto-aim though to make up for it.


RE: hmmm
By cbo on 8/16/2007 10:16:50 AM , Rating: 2
The PS3 with allow native keyboard and mouse control MS is still holding out.

http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Keyboard_and_Mouse_...


RE: hmmm
By NoSoftwarePatents on 8/16/2007 10:43:06 AM , Rating: 2
Linux gamers won't be going through GameSpy for their UT3 on-line play, either...


RE: hmmm
By threepac3 on 8/16/2007 1:42:49 PM , Rating: 2
Is UT2007 even coming out for Linux...? If it is then I'm sure they can integrate the Gamespy software into the game. There by bypassing any limitations.


RE: hmmm
By NoSoftwarePatents on 8/16/2007 2:41:09 PM , Rating: 2
Straight from the source, back in May:

http://forums.epicgames.com/showpost.php?p=2489069...


By peritusONE on 8/16/2007 12:41:14 PM , Rating: 2
This is an example of yet another bullet-point for the PS3 that is blown out of proportion by PS3 fanboys because they have nothing else to cheer for. Don't get me wrong, the idea of what Epic is doing here is fine and noteworthy, but playing against PC gamers isn't all it's cracked up to be. IMO, the only advantage of being able to play against PC gamers from a console (or vice-versa) is that it will introduce more players to help with the longevity of a game. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.

I feel the same about the 360's Games for Windows Live initiative that has sucked badly so far. Is playing against PC gamers from your console really that big of a selling point? I'd much rather be a bigot towards other platforms and only play against people on the same console, ESPECIALLY when it comes to playing against a hack-friendly PC. Atleast with the 360 and PS3, they are fairly closed systems that are only weak towards glitches that are found in the games themselves.

Besides, the Gamespy service is possibly just another service that you'll have to sign up for a username. I say that you PS3 guys can have your cross-platform play, I'll stick with my closed 360 system and 100% integrated gamertag/friends list/etc.




By Timeless on 8/16/2007 6:30:53 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
This is an example of yet another bullet-point for the PS3 that is blown out of proportion by PS3 fanboys


That's funny cause I haven't seen a person on here praising or bashing the PC/console thing besides you. So far, all I've seen is people bashing on GameSpy or commenting maturity level of the PC/console crowd.

quote:
Is playing against PC gamers from your console really that big of a selling point?


Don't think of it as a selling point. Think of it as an extra feature that you can use. It's not mandatory to play with people on the PC or console. I heard that you can choose who plays with you, whether they are on the PC, console or both.

quote:
I'd much rather be a bigot towards other platforms and only play against people on the same console, ESPECIALLY when it comes to playing against a hack-friendly PC.


As stated above...

quote:
I say that you PS3 guys can have your cross-platform play, I'll stick with my closed 360 system and 100% integrated gamertag/friends list/etc.


You are, of course, entitled to your opinion.

quote:
Besides, the Gamespy service is possibly just another service that you'll have to sign up for a username.


What's so bad about taking a few minutes out of your life to sign up for something? Did you not take a few minutes as well signing for XBL?


By dug777 on 8/19/2007 7:56:11 AM , Rating: 2
Well said, Timeless ;)


Counterintuitive
By InternetGeek on 8/16/2007 9:17:51 AM , Rating: 2
It might sound counterintuitive. But I think it's easier to connect the PS3 to a PC than an XBox360 for Multiplayer gaming. The PS3 accepts a Keyboard and mouse which puts console players on the same level than a PC player.

For all Live! it's worth we're still waiting to play our PC counterparts.




RE: Counterintuitive
By omnicronx on 8/16/2007 9:21:43 AM , Rating: 2
It has nothing to do with a mouse and keyboard, especially since not everyone is going to use one in the first place. Furthermore playing pc players is nothing special, quake3 for dreamcast used to connect with PC players and you could use a keyboard and mouse, still got slaughtered ;)

also keep in mind if MS really wanted too they could support keyboard and mouse. I already use a keyboard to type messages through xboxlive, i really doubt it would be that hard to add functionality.


Sad day
By firtol88 on 8/16/2007 1:52:51 PM , Rating: 3
One of the best things about the Unreal series was that it avoided the game spy BS.




Lol, Epic
By thebrown13 on 8/16/07, Rating: -1
RE: Lol, Epic
By omnicronx on 8/16/2007 1:59:08 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
If UT3 is anything like the previous games though, it'll be fun for about an hour, then suck.
Thanks man, i was waiting for your opinion, i dont know what the free world would do without it, if you say it sucks it must be true.


RE: Lol, Epic
By thebrown13 on 8/16/2007 4:11:30 PM , Rating: 2
Just being honest. And I'm a fan of futuristic games AND FPS's.


RE: Lol, Epic
By omnicronx on 8/16/2007 4:15:24 PM , Rating: 2
I guess i was a bit harsh, I hate some pc fps games that some people praise.


RE: Lol, Epic
By mars777 on 8/16/2007 4:25:41 PM , Rating: 2
UT3 will not be UT2007 it will be a UT99 remake.
AND THAT IS GOOD!


RE: Lol, Epic
By thebrown13 on 8/16/2007 4:33:14 PM , Rating: 2
That would be good. The original UT was a ton of fun.


RE: Lol, Epic
By mars777 on 8/17/2007 12:42:29 AM , Rating: 2
In terms of gameplay and weapons it will be more 99 than 2k4 but it will have the new online modes.

We shall see...


RE: Lol, Epic
By therealnickdanger on 8/17/2007 2:04:00 PM , Rating: 2
I still remember the day I was downloading a mod for UT99 and discovered that I had FILLED my HDD with mods, map packs, sound banks, and other UT-related stuff. LOL! My UT folder had consumed 80% of my HDD space. That's when I knew I had a problem.


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