PS3's Oblivion to fully utilize CELL processor.

A new IGN preview of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion reveals that the PS3 version of the game has been optimized to take advantage of the Cell processor and hardware that the system offers.

"The PS3 version of Oblivion isn't a simple port of the game either, although players who have picked up the 360 version will be very familiar with the control scheme. For one thing, the PS3 version has been optimized to take advantage of the Cell processor and hardware that the system offers. As a result, the game runs a lot faster than the 360 build. Entering dungeons or buildings results in a load of 3-5 seconds, compared to the 7-10 seconds or longer for the 360 version of the game. Similarly, the amount of framerate drops or hitches that cropped up in the wilderness as you accessed a new area on the 360 have been substantially reduced on the PS3 version. There is a plan to completely eradicate these issues as the game nears release, as well as fixing a number of bugs that were present in the other builds. Kiss the item duplication glitch goodbye.

Visual textures are much sharper in the PS3 version of the game.

The visual presentation of Oblivion has also been significantly enhanced. While it was a beautiful title on the 360, far off environmental details often displayed low resolution textures. This has been fixed with new shaders dedicated to rendering the foreground cleanly with sharper details, so rocky landscapes now have craggy appearances instead of smooth, non-distinct surfaces. While there is still a fair amount of pop-in that occurs (which can't be helped due to the size of the world), the draw distance is farther than the 360 version. As a result, screens from the PS3 version should approach those from high end PCs running Oblivion, which is an impressive feat. We'll have more on Oblivion soon, but for now, check out these new screens."

[funkybudda]

this is how a developer should do it when it comes to porting games, unlike EA/Ubisoft crap.

[Arkham]

To be fair, games like Call of Duty 3 were created on old dev kits -- they only had their final devkit well into September, far too late for the devs to take advantage of it.

Hopefully the next few months will give us some games that were able to capitalise on the newer tools.

[ASTAROTH]

To me its amazing that this game may look at least as good as the 360 version. If it end up looking better I really going to praise Bethseda's work. If this game, who is one of the best looking 360 games beated only by Gears, is being ported good for the PS3 this prove a lot of things fans. This prove that the PS3 is more than the devs have made it look. Its more than even SONYs internal devs may think. Maybe with some more enthusiasm by the devs part PS3 games may start to have an edge on 360 games. What really hurst me more is that this game. A game that is far more bigger and better looking than games like COD3, THP8, RR7, SONIC, FEAR and others to name a few, is looking better than the 360 game. Something that I really dont even believe until I play it, but if reports are truth we will be amazed. So who we are going to blame...DEVELOPERS of course. For only wanting our money with a washed out port. For trying to make us believe that the PS3 is inferior only because they dont have the time to work with more complicated tech. I will be buying another 360 in the couple of weeks, but Oblivion is for my PS3. I believe SONYs console will deliber in the long run. FANATICS...

[TheMART]

"If it end up looking better I really going to praise Bethseda's work."

That is not that hard, is it???

The 360 version had a PC direct port because they had little time to work on, since it released a year ago. The PS3 version is worked out especially for the PS3 now.

If it ain't better then the 360 version, I'll write off the PS3 for the rest of it's life cycle! I just expect it to be better. Would be the first game also, so it ain't that special. Just glad for the PS3 owners you won't get a direct PC port

[big_tim]

Since you expect it to be better on the PS3, are you disappointed with the other titles that have gone to the PS3? Did you expect them to be better? So are you disappointed in some of them? Somehow I don't think you are disappointed.

[Boink]

were this not the same people saying they were having such a hard time with the blu-ray drive they had to duplicate data on the disk just to make it function properly?

[sa73917]

Read the article then..

IGN says compared to the 360 version load times are faster (almost halved), draw distances are longer, textures are improved..

Great news for the PS3 fans and good to see a developer putting the effort in to port a game and actually utilise the features of the platform they're porting to rather than doing a half arsed job..

Looking forward to more companies putting extra effort in like this..

[DJ]

Bethesda was actually complaining about the 360's DVD drive and how dual-layer DVDs actually read at half the speed of single-layer dvds.

With Blu-ray they had enough space to double-write the data and thus cut down load times significantly. The fact that it has a faster overall data transfer rate than 12x Dual-layer DVD helps too.

[sixaxis]

It beat 360??. Im amazed ps3 has been out almost 3 months and already kicked 360s ass.

[Marriot VP]

I know, it's only been a WHOLE YEAR since it was launch on the 360's oblivion and now it's on the PS3 in a little bit.

[TheMART]

With which game exactly?

mmmhhhh only Resistance? Which is good, but not great AAA? WHich other game is there?

The 360 kicks the PS3's butt so hard it's purple and blue mate. And you're missing out not playing Gears big time

[THWIP]

You Sony fanatics will fall for ANYTHING, if it's spun the right way. First of all, THIS IS A PORT....make no mistake about it. And the fact that they're putting extra work into locking out the "bugs" will actually make the game very lame. The dupe cheats, and the Frostcrag glitch with the test area, were 2 of the greatest aspects of the game....made it a blast to replay new characters. Face it, you guys are getting a year-old game, with some extra polish.......and THAT'S IT. We've all finished Nights of the Nine by now, and will have finished Shivering Isles long before the PS3 even gets it. Have fun with more 360 leftovers. :D

[Marty8370]

It has loads of improvements on PS3 .It runs faster, Load times have been reduced, draw distances are longer, bugs fixed, textures are improved and sharper, new content.Great news considering it's Bethseda first release on the PS3.

[specialguest]

your just a typical fanboy who's been cornered and has nothing else to throw out besides the 360 leftover statement. Oblivion isn't just another generic leftover, it's RPG of THE YEAR and one of the best games of '06. your just mad because this is an improved version and also because it's no longer a 360 exclusive. ha! let it go man, and share the glory of this prestigious game.

[BIadestarX]

Oh great. That means this port should have at least 2x better graphics than anything developed by the 360 (including gears). I'm I right on expecting that? It's interesting how some developers are saying they are only using a small % of the power of the cell yet their games look better than this. I guess now that developers are finally able to use 100% of the cell power, "to fully utilze" than this means Sony fanboys can no longer use the excuse that developers didn't have enough time. I'm I correct?

[DJ]

You could use every SPE and still not get Cell's full potential. Really, it all depends on the timing of each instruction (there's millions of instructions every fraction of a second). I'd go more in depth, but then I'd have to get into programming jargon, and that's just ugly.

Some devs are going to be further along than others. That's just the way things are. Depends on both skill and how far along they started.

[the_bebop]

I am still not convinced to get this game unless I can find a Video or demo for the PS3 version so I can actually see the graphics on my TV. Does anyone know if Bethseda plans on releasing a demo on the Playstation Network. Also I have heard that the third person view is not that good on either the 360 and PC versions, have they fixed this.

[Maddens Raiders]

It's good to see these jacka$$es went to work and got 'er done instead of whining the ENTIRE way. After talking it up about how slow the load time was gonna be for the PS3 Blu-ray Drive and how hard coding was for the game, I thought I was going to have to put these people to bed with freakin' warm milk and cookies. Boo-Hoo....well looks like ya did good. See how far a little determination goes? Thanks Bethesda. Now pass it on! =]

[nice_cuppa]

but we wouldnt have had it A YEAR AGO !

oblivion will be good on ps3 as it was on pc and 360 A YEAR AGO but know games have moved on sinse then so dont be supprised if you get it and are dissapointed.

i have to say i find it odd that people are saying things like this as news.
if i was a ps3 gamer and i got a port of a year old 360 game i would expect it to be polished up (graphics and repoted bugs from the other versions) and would be pissed if it wasnt.

to think this is news is strange to me.

[Antan]

"Games have moved on sinse then so dont be supprised if you get it and are dissapointed"

So which game has come out "since" that will make PS3 owners "disappointed"? a game that wins multiple awards suddenly becomes bad because that great game (insert here) pi$$es all over it? hehe.

"to think this is news is strange to me".

Is it as strange as 360 guys posting PS3 reviews of ports that look worse than the 360 version, then continually ramming comments down PS3 guys throats?

Kudos to the devs for making the effort to iron out ther niggles and improve an already great looking game. Im sure this will sell pretty well when it lands, probably best in europe when it lands here.

[TheMART]

And hey...

Didn't we hear stories about COD3, FNR3 etc. also months before the PS3 and those games came out that they would be better?

Man I've heard so many Sony fans about it, but then the final versions came out and... They were worse then the originals.

COD3 runs 60fps on the 360, 30 fps on the PS3. Visuals are sharper, everything is better on the 360. FNR the same story.

Virtua Tennis would be so great in 1080p on the PS3. Well it's not that hard, 2 moving characters on screen. And yup now they announced it in 1080p for the 360 also. I saw a reviewer on TV that visited Sega in Paris, played both versions and said the 360 version look better, sharper, more colourfull, better physics etc etc

The Oblivion on 360 was a direct PC port. IF PS3 version is build up from the ground for the PS3, I expect it to be better then that. If it doesn't the PS3 will be written off by me personally. If this is marketingblabla again, and it's a port of the 360 version, it won't get better, ever.

[DR GRIM]

it have you be u the mark all u are is a sh!t talker xbox 360 fanboy

[AuburnTiger]

Is it me or do you say the same crap on every ps3 forum??

What's your problem, do you love your 360 so much that you take offense to anything that might steal its thunder??? Seriously you have some issues and I think you need some counseling.

[xfrgtr]

hahahaha!!!!!take that 360fanboys,the ps3 is definitely much better than the 360

[kornbeaner]

There was a rumor that the knights of nine was suppose to be on the same disc wonder if it's still true? But if this game plays better then the versions that are already out then it's better then having a half-ass port at launch.

[FeralPhoenix]

OK...seriously, why would fans of 360 or PS3 take this as a indication of anything for either except the obvious. -I think some others have tried to point this out, but lets just be clear; This is the same game that Bethesda released for the 360 a year ago, except they have put in extra time to fix bugs, cut load times, sharpen textures or in other words instead of "porting" it from the 360, they have actuall "tried" to "optimize" it for the PS3....notice I did say "tried", which is a good thing, but just as some "sensible" PS3 fans has suggested we have to wait and see if the "results show" or is it more of a "publicity campaign" to sell essential a year old game. -If Bethesda "HAS" done the "right thing" and optimized this game for the PS3, then thats great news for the PS3...its a good game, but why is that bad for the 360?...logic says it would be "better" if they re-released it again a year later on the 360, but that would be silly, right?

[omfg_111]

every developer should try his best and fit the version to the current console...
this time they did a good job, very pleased to read it. :)

@ MART :

do u know EDGE ? COD3 ist just a 7/10 game... so why u are so horny making compare it with other system.

why u are acting like a fan-/hom(o/e)boy ? i red ur comments during a long time... u are nothing else but a boy thats proud of spending all his money for a xbox360 (core?)

[nanometric]

Maybe becouse he is a fanboy! :D

[TheMART]

Well, Gamespot gave the 360 version a 8.8 and the PS3 a 8.2

http://www.gamespot.com/xbo...

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3...

Plus, read the comments on it.

And it's not only COD3, it's FNR3, and soon Virtua Tennis 3. Like all multiplatform games are about the best versions on the 360. Yup I'm proud on the XBOX 360. Because of what it achieves. I do like the PS2 for the library of games. I prefer the PSP because it's nice. I liked my Amiga, MSX and XBOX. I think the PS3 is a failure.

I think it's clear I'm not brand loyal, but a realist. And if something is trash, I bash it.

[omfg_111]

okay :D

[kingboy]

that`s how it should be done.I f@cking hate lazy developers.This will help sh@t up marta

[EnforcerOfTheTruth]

This is what happens when devs put some effort in porting the games. And sorry fanboys, the 360 version got patched and would get patched again if it would be possible to bring it on the PS3 level. Face the truth 360 runs this game like a mid to low end PC and PS3 like a high end one.

[gnothe1]

that they really was able to achieve all of this!!because they claimed out all the PS3 versions of the same games was supposed to be better(FNR3,COD3,THP8,NFSC)an we all know how those turned out!!not saying that they didn't clean this game up for the PS3, but how do you know that this is just about sales,tell you its much better than the xbox360 version to make you wanna buy the Ps3 version.because you all know if they came out an said it ran better,smoother,loaded faster,an more detailed on the 360 why would you buy it on the Ps3!!

[Goose74]

Anyone looked at the new 1up Show? There they showed the new addon shivering Isles for the 360. They talk allot with the programmers and about both the 360 and the PS3 Version of the game. All fine tuning the PS3 Version is getting will also be given to the 360 Version via patch on Live. The Drawing distance, better shader, everything they can get into the program with a patch (no better textures, i know ;) ). Second the programmers talked a bit about all the addons for the 360 version. There will be not so much addons for the ps3 as for the 360 because of the ram limitation(256mb) of the ps3. To little ram to load all the addons. That is not good for a next gen machine. On memory side the ps3 is definatly inferior to the 360. What i got from a friggin fast processor that can calculate more complex worlds than that of the 360 but there is not enough ram to put that numbers in?

[mucho 99]

I'm just glad that they didn't do a LAZY port. It may just be a PORT, but at least it will give people a little more incentive to buy the system.

[EnforcerOfTheTruth]

Buddy you have no idea, 2x256 is not worse than 1x512. Actually it's better. On the PC you have dual channel speed and on PS3 both CPU and GPU can access the RAM at the same time. You are putting to much credit into the MS propaganda. No 1080p or DVD9 is enough anyone?

[Antan]

In the PS3`s case the split ram issue IS causing problems for developers. Its common knowledge in the industry and is something ive seen 1st hand on a number of occasions. Yes there are work-arounds but it requires time to implement such things which is why at this point in time certain "multi platform" titles look better on the 360. I fully expect these sort of problems to disappear as more people get the hang of the machine.

[Funky Town_TX]

This is what is talking about. The draw distance was something that was worked on after the 360 build and there is a blurb about the PS3's ram. Don't be afraid watch it. I know when I had my xbox1 I got tired of playing PS2 ports. It's great for PS3 gamers to play a more polished game regardless of how it was achieved.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsS...

[calderra]

So for the first time since its launch, a PS3 ported game will FINALLY be somewhat better than the year-old 360 version?

INCREDIBLE NEWS!!!
:lollerskates:

[NextGen24Gamer]

Then the game comes out and doesn't live up to the hype they try to generate. Fight Night Rnd3, Call of Duty 3, Nba 2k7, and so on. I have all three for both systems and the 360 versions are clearly better. And the average review scores support what Im saying. We will see if they improve upon the ps3 version of Oblivion. But honestly I doubt it. Every game I have played for the ps3 is visually dissappointing. It would have to do something no other developer has been able to do. Get a nice looking game to run on 256k ram for graphics. Yes I know the ram is split. But its split for a reason. The cell uses the other 256 ram. 256 ram for textures and graphics just won't cut it in 2007 and beyond. Gears of War visually blows away everything from PC games to ps3 games. And it needs 512 ram. I expect more and more games to look as good or better than Gears over the next year. Oblvion is a beautiful game for a year ago. But 360 games have surpassed what oblivion did a year ago NOW. So I hope the ps3 version is at least on par with the year old 360 version. But I have to be honest. I'm doubtful due to Sony's track record and IGN's track record with its previews that make games out to be the next coming...ha ha ha ha...

[TheMART]

Indeed Top Gamer, right on. You own both systems so you would know best.

Most funny thing is, the PS3 OS eats up about 100 MB of it's RAM which is HUGE

The 360 uses max. 33% of the memory the PS3 OS is using. So in general, the 360 has more spare RAM to use on the games.

Which makes the 360 version always better, especially when the games get more complex in the future. That's why Gears would never run on a PS3. Simply because MS is all about software, they know how to program. Sony clearly doesn't

[rowdy 1]

your opinion. I see that the PS3 fight night and Madden are better on the PS3. I too have both systems and when the guys and gals come by we play the sports games on PS3. I just see so much more food in the future for the PS3, but thats my opinion. But since I have both consoles I could care less. Pass it to the left hand side.

[nambo]

but how PS3 fanboys jump on this one title that's had almost a year more development time to work out the kinks as justification that the PS3 is superior to the 360 show how desperate they are. If it weren't better like 99% of the other multi platform titles, you'd just call the developers lazy. If you just step back from your PS crazed delusion, you’d see the fact that all multi platform games that have been released at or around the same time are rated higher on the 360. Is that all due to lazy programmers? I’m sure everybody agrees that the PS3 is capable of producing very nice visuals: for $600 it better, but it’s absolutely not 3x more powerful than the 360 as Sony claimed, and in fact not superior at all. I think we’ll all see the truth once titles like Assassins Creed and UT3, where the PS3 has had more development time, come out. I think the visuals between the two consoles will be fairly similar, but the 360 version will come out ahead. The question is, will Sony fanboys start to admit that the 360 is a really good gaming console…probably not.

[Devastator_oftheweak]

They could have optimized it for the 360 easily, after all Bill Gates and his drones said that programming for the 360 was just like a PC, so why couldn't they configure for the 360, why is it that you have to sit there and say that if they this and if they that, please get over yourself. If your scared that the PS3 might be better in anyway why not go get one and then have both systems!

anyway they should have been able to fully optimize the game since everything in the XBOX360 is basically a PC part. Its running on a 3.2 ghz architecture with an radeon graphics chip, but you know its the size of the disc that cut out what they could do with the game on 360. Sony did get it right that the larger size of discs is what the developers want. So either go buy a PS3 and experience the difference or STFU

[sajj316]

Understand this ....

Parallel Dev = Creating a multi format game in parallel (multiple dev teams). If software is created using parallel development on different formats, it makes fiscal (financial) sense to NOT optimize per format. Usually the developer just wants to get it out the door.

Ports are just that. Whether the port is 3 months away or 3 years away, its still a port. The only difference is that you have more bandwidth to optimize since there isn't a tight dev schedule to push out the game (multi format) on a given date.

Kuddos to Bethseda for not making a straight port and trying to leverage the hardware. Whether it be PS3 -> 360 or vice versa ... lets judge on the quality of the product, not the debated quality of the hardware that it runs on.

If you (the gamers) want to vent your frustration ... take it out on EA (for example). They are doing an injustice to you and the video game community by delivering marginally improved ports. I guess that happens when you get too big.

[Goose74]

@EnforcerOfTheTruth

Yeah right. 2x256mb is better than 1x512mb. Sure. This convinced me that you ... HAVE NO DAMN IDEA WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT. It is better when you can dedicate the memory as you think your game would benefit from. Why use split ram for cpu and gpu? what if your cpu and gamedata needs more ram than 256mb? Or what if your gpu needs more ram for textures? On the 360 the developer can define the ram use for cpu and gpu on its own without having problems with split ram while on the PS3 you have to program some stupid workaround.

@Funky Town_TX
I am glad that the PS3 boys will get that fantastic game but all that new engine features will be patched later in the 360 Version too that haven´t been patched yet.

[mucho 99]

everyone's problem around here? It has been stated several times around here that both systems are about equal in power, one is better at certain things than the other. The ps3 ports look worse not because ps3 can't handle it, but rather that the developers aren't doing their job. And Who is stupid enough to say that 360 games can't run on ps3?

[solideagle1]

u are really a genius boy....i applaude that. if RESISTANCE is not a AAA titlethen it seems ur precious LOST PLANET is half baked and MAN... from when u r believing sh1t from EA(FNR3)?? everybody knows they are not good. get a life man....... but........i love ur attach rate dialogue :)
i hope it gets better and BLADESTAR u r calling urself neutral. all i heard is crap from u(and its true).

well back to topic.... this game's gonna rock.

[highps3]

IGN reported everything looks better, runs better, and laods faster than the 360.

Which is weird because the guy who owns the company said it would load slower... I think someone was paid..

[Logan]

you know, when the 360 first came out, they didnt have any good games at all really, all there was these.

.Tony hawk american wasteland

. Gun

. Condemned

. Peter Jacksons King Kong

. Kameo

. dead or alive 4

. Perfect Dark Zero

. Call of Duty 2

. Quake 4

. AMPED

Those are the 2005 games for the 360, maybe some other sports games on top of that, but you see, it sucked.

it took around 5 months until the 360 came out with elder scrolls oblivion.

Oblivion is coming out for the ps3 sometime this March, and think about it, its only been 2 months since the ps3 has been out, plus there gona have a bunch of awsome games ontop of that.

why in the world would the ps3 suck, when throughout a whole year 2005 time period all we saw was around 10 crappy games for the 360.

I will admit though, the 360 does have a better game selection right now, but thats gona change fast for the ps3, there already shouting out really good titles this coming march.

so screw you all who disagree with me, im getting one this friday! O_O!!!

[THWIP]

...the 360 launched with 17 games, in the U.S. By March, it had about 25, and over 100 by the end of 2006...not including XBLA titles.

Get your facts straight, or don't bother posting.....and enjoy your $600 paperweight. :)

"Oblivion is coming out for the ps3 sometime this March, and think about it, its only been 2 months since the ps3 has been out, plus there gona have a bunch of awsome games ontop of that."

Yeah, I hate to point out the obvious flaw in your logic...and apparent 3rd grade Math skills.....but that's the EXACT amount of time between launch and release on the 360: November 2005 to March 2006 for the 360, November 2006 to March 2007 for PS3.

And, BTW, regardless of how early it comes in the PS3 launch.....Oblivion will still be over a year old, and you still won't have most of the extra content the PC/360 owners have already enjoyed. I'll be done with Shivering Isles, before you even get a copy of Oblivion for your PS3. ;)

[spacetoilet]

This is FANTASTIC news! Ive been waiting for Oblivion to come out, and was praying this was not another $hitty 360 port job. How in the hell the anti sony losers (you know who you are) can comment on this in the negative is beyond me. But we kinda knew they would didn't we?
***edit***
...One more thing, can an XBOT please tell me if the split memory config of the PS3 hardware is crap, and it cannot possibly run this game or that game, as has been stated again, and again, why then can the PS3 render larger draw distances,with better shader detail than the 360 version? Surely the PS3 version of oblivion should be half as good visualy no?

[rowdy 1]

was a short game my son beat in like a day and half or something quick. And I'm still playing Resistance which must have 40 levels it seems. I think the PS3 is a wonderful work of art from ejecting the disk to the web browser it makes things fun in the living room when we are planning a trip and the whole family can sit and look at the places we'll staying at and the things we can do. It is a top notch machine just a shame that it cost me $600 (thank god to tax returns).