PS3 Blacksite plagued with development trouble, says insider

The PS3 version of Blacksite: Area 51 is experiencing technical issues and missed deadlines. Midway is apparently unhappy with these issues. The PS3 demo and launch will likely end up being delayed as a result.

[Captain Tuttle]

This should be good.

[fenderputty]

I'm starting to not even care about stuff like this. It's coming out. Get it right. Delay the game if you have to. I don't care simply because, the PS3 is now starting to have a nice little game selection to keep me busy. 2008 is going to have most of my money tied up already on other titles.

This is going to turn into some recockulous thread. Everyone put on your flame retardant suits ... you're going to need em'.

[Mr Marbles]

I hate to say it but, Im really starting to think the PS3 is a piece of crap. This is insane, why is a supposedly more powerful console getting everything so much later, the power of the cell is useless for games, no way in hel i would by this thing right now.

Sure all you sony appologists will say you didnt want Area 51 in the first place, but to be honest that is besides the point, the point that PS3 is crap to develop for, and this WILL hurt it in the end.

[Skerj]

Disagreeing with you, once you own one you'll most certainly know it's not a piece of crap. That and developers are now learning that their old porting tricks are not working now with the PS3. THAT'S where the delays are coming in, if you've noticed games that are solely created for the PS3 have usually been on time.

[skagrerrrr]

they should put voice chat with this game

[wageslave]

@1.2:

"why is a supposedly more powerful console"

Supposedly is the operative word there. The two machines are roughly equal powered, inspite of Sony's usual space-age-4D BS marketing.

What did IGN's hardware comparison conclude?

"CONCLUSION: When you break down the numbers, Xbox 360 has provably more performance than PS3. Keep in mind that Sony has a track record of over promising and under delivering on technical performance. The truth is that both systems pack a lot of power for high definition games and entertainment."

http://xbox360.ign.com/arti...

[Kleptic]

UT3 has been the only delayed game so far that has even had me interested...its funny how most of the time the games that get delayed are from companies in financial trouble (in this case Midway...two of their games being stranglehold and now Blacksite...)

they announced last week that the PS3 version has a crap online system...and stranglehold is just now coming out...

UT3 I am looking forward to...get it right before relase, and I will buy it whenever...stranglehold?...gam e is garbage...keep it...Blacksite...appears to be ditto, but don't know for sure...

Orangebox I hope turns out ok too...thats rumored to be out early in november finally for the PS3 I thought...have only played Half Life 2 back in 2004 on a pc...so the orangebox is an incredible deal for me...but its already been cofirmed to not be fully optimized (not using any SPEs for it...w/e)...so it may end up being pretty weak...the decision to pawn off the PS3 port was made more or less by Gabe Newell...and pretty much all of us know how hard it is to make him happy...

but it doesn't matter...Uncharted is one of the best looking games ever made...this is far from an issue of the PS3 not being able to do it...its just time and money for struggling publishers that they simply can't come up with...

EDIT:

fair enough...that interview a few weeks back had Gabe saying EA would have the PS3 version out within the first few weeks of Nov...I guess that was either not true,or has been changed since...

[Hugh Hefner]

Sorry but the OrangeBox for the PS3 doesn't comes out until December (12 December I think is the date)

[pangitkqb]

maybe if they delay it (like they should) they can fully implement all the internet gameplay that is supposedly lacking in the PS3 version but included in the 360.

IT IS BETTER TO DELAY A GAME TO GET IT RIGHT THAN TO SHOVE IT OUT THE DOOR BEFORE IT IS READY!!!!! QUALITY IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN SHELF DATE!!!

[Tryst]

Amen

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

All I see are poor reviews, sales, ports and framerates.

[leon76]

to Jason xg1:
poor reviews: ratchet and clank review average 9-10
poor sales: outsells x360 in europe and japan;
framerates issues: Halo3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bordel_1900]

Agree with what you say fenderputty.

I was browsing through all the Blu-ray movies and PS3 games that I want to buy from now and to the end of 2007, I found that I really need to use a lot of money. I have no problem with the delays anymore, there are enough good games and movies to keep me busy and broke for a long time. :)

[WilliamRLBaker]

INCOMMING!!!

[SIX]

I'm beating a dead horse!

[Meus Renaissance]

Thing is, despite it being sadly delayed, even if it wasn't delayed no one would really care considering the games that are coming out. It's like Fatal Inertia being delayed the week before September 25th. Who would really care?

[Kuest]

but Blacksite's success will also depend on its review scores RELATIVE to the other competition. Meaning, if the game achieves a score of 8.5+, while say Assassins Creed garners 7.5 reviews (not going to happen)- hardcore gamers may opt for the higher reviewed game.

All in all, I don't think the verdict is out on Black site just yet. From the videos I've watched, the game has fair potential. In fact, I am predicting solid reviews scores- so if any AAA title drops the ball... titles like Turok or Blacksite will be waiting to take its place.

If you haven't guessed already, I played the original Area 51, and still have faith in Midway to deliver.

[felidae]

i really don't care. the 360 demo sucked major a$$ and there are enough better PS3 games coming out this year and 2008.

Blacksite .. the 360 is made for you.

[Silver Bull3t]

No new 360 news to trash eh?... funny you guys even spam up your own articles without any xbox fan in here talking smack. Just sad.

[shysun]

No voice chat online= no buy for me!

[SofaKingReetodded]

must be smoking some serious rock to think that we will buy the PS3 version of a multiplat gimped on features.

may blacksite die a horrible death as the third rate game that it is.

[Mr VideoGames]

:)

[wil4hire]

The PS3's capabilities are proven, now it just makes developers look inadequate vs the system.

Lets hope they take time and call Insomniac or Ubisoft.

Edit:

So I guess due to the Disagrees Insomniac,Ubisoft, And Incognito cant make hd games running at fluid stable framerates for the ps3. My mistake.

[Snukadaman]

or are you going too deny there are any such problems?

[Kleptic]

11.1 did you even read what he said?...1st party content never has framerate issues...Warhawk...none...ever ...HS...1000's of independently moving enemies on screen at once...no problems...Resistance....never has any framerate problems, as true with R&C...its ports that have framerate issues...he was only saying that the PS3 has been proven to be able to do some incredible things through 1st party content...and there is no denying that...FEAR has a horrid framerate on the PS3, but do you think thats because it can't handle it?

both consoles have some games that have framerate issues...a certain high profile recent game has framerate issues even with a static 640p buffer...its not just the PS3 that has framerate problems...

[FirstknighT]

What about Lair??? Lair has horrid framerate problems. And your wrong about HS...it does have noticeable framerate issues also.

[SpenserTracy]

It's all clear now. The unreal engine is crap. As I said before, its not the PS3 or the 360. It's the crap engines that hinders game evolution. Im sorry to say that the 360 is stuck in this mess. I think the PS3 exlusive devs has already spotted the problem and are using better engines. Skip the old engines and let something new happen. Stopp dissing PS3 games saying its the PS3 hardwares fault and see it for what it is, sofware engine problems.

[SpenserTracy]

I knew 360 fans would missunderstand me. Im not saying that the 360 sucks I am saying that 360 games has got similar problems with framerates. But no one admits it. Never before have devs had consoles with this tremendous power. I mean multi processing. Lots of memory, harddrives. And still they complain and moan about the hardware. Shut up. Start bringing in some next gen ports instead lazy aholes.

Edit: Sorry, I got a little annoyed. I dont think that devs in general are lazy I take it back. Still there are some problems they have to sort out.

[Hugh Hefner]

[sarcasm] Yes, because Sony did nothing wrong. All the game delays and the developers' complaints about the PS3 being hard to program for are all FUD. Damm those unloyal, lazy developers. Sony created the Jesus Christ of videogaming and they are struggling with it. They are not worthy of Sony and its fans. [/sarcasm]

[AllroundGamer]

you don't even know how right you are, i worked on a game, that ran on UE3, there were many problems with it during the whole development, and one of the programmers working with the optimizations said to me, that's the engine wasn't build for the PS3 but for PC/Xbox360 mainly... therefor the problems with all the UE3 PS3 based games. And i can tell you, every programmer cursed the developers of UE3, cause it's so unstable and buggy. UnrealTournament3 is a exception, but they had the full support of UE3 engineers and are enjoying it even now but other game developers came short with the support lately.

[SKullDugger]

would have to disagree with U the unreal engine is not the problem worked just fine for Gears of War and the 360 is not having frame rate issues ie. NCAA 08 60 FPS, MADDEN 08 60 FPS. MOTORSTORM was suppose to run @ 60FPS in 1080p but the DEV. could not get it to do that so they went for 30fps in 720p please explain this for me.

[ApocalypseShadow]

are the ones trying to use unreal engine 3 on 360 and trying to port the code to ps3.x-tremists know this.

we have seen ports by EA that obviously don't take advantage of ps3.and their lack of experience with cell shows us as well.their early 360 code wasn't all that either.

but when you see games built from the ground up,those games don't have these issues of big delays.

the devs making too human may have been right about EPIC and the poor engine they sent out to everyone else but had the updated code to make games like gears of war for themselves.

ALL sony made games aren't having these issues.ALL second party games aren't having these issues.konami and hideo kojima aren't having these issues with MGS4.

USING UNREAL FROM 360 TO PS3 WILL CONTINUE TO BE A HEADACHE FOR LAZY DEVS THINKING CELL WORKS THE SAME WAY.

mag lev.....................

[karlostomy]

Don't rant dude. you sound desperate.

UT3 is being developed first on ps3.
Nooooooo excuses.
Stop blaming the 360 for your PS3 problems
stop blaming developers
stop blaming altogether.

oh and by the way... FIFA 08 was developed on the PS3 first. and then ported to the 360. Guess which version runs more smoothly?
uh-huh.. it aint the PS3.

i know i know... you don't care. Just put your head back in the sand and press 'disagree' like always.

[fredy]

"UT3 is being developed first on ps3.
Nooooooo excuses.
Stop blaming the 360 for your PS3 problems
stop blaming developers
stop blaming altogether. "

Haha everything is always NOT, I repeat not Sony's fault, Sony is god of gaming and is your father so respect them. MS pays all review sites.[end sarcasm]

When is it going to stop the whining of REVIEWS, BLAMING of DEVELOPERS?

Don't forget this list
- The Sony PS3tard Excuse list posted a while back[forgot who]

"I hate EA" (and UBI, Activision, Capcom, id, Epic, and 2K)
"EA is MS's b!tch"
"EA=Peter Moore"
"Just Wait"
"Just wait till 08"
"just wait till 09"
"Lazy"
"Lazy devs"
"ring of death"
"lazy"
"EA sucks"
"EA can't make good games" (Battlefild, most sports titles, Burnout, The Sims and upcomming Crysis and Army of Two)
"f**k EA"
"wait"
"when"
"somday"
"fantasy"
"lie"
"f**k Peter Moore"
"f**k MS"
"waiting".......... ...................

[SofaKingReetodded]

FIFA 08 runs like melted butter on the PS3.....idiot.

[karlostomy]

PS3 Fifa 08 does indeed run with framerate issues.
THe framerate is worse than 360.

Just stating facts, sofaking. I know, i know... you prefer wishful thinking...

I can't believe you called me an idiot just for stating accurate facts.
If you are looking for an idiot then take a look in the mirror maybe...

Do some research, buddy. you will find i am right. And then you can apologise to me.

[Dpa]

Epic need to send all developers their beefed up PS3 UE3 that their using for UT3.

[Hugh Hefner]

In case you didn't know, Epic is having all sorts of trouble with the UE on the PS3. That's part of the reason why UT3 is coming out on PC before PS3.

Wake up fanboys!!!

[Funky Town_TX]

kinda like SK said. EPIC is having a great time with this. Looks like PS3 is having issues with it.

[wageslave]

Sony designed a terrible machine. Face it. A good design would mean that developers would be able to use it.

Microsoft considers developers customers (good thinking eh!?) and designed the system with the ability for the Devs to be able to create with it.

[Lightning Mr Bubbles]

we know already, PS3 is a different monster while XBOX 360 and PC are the same and basic.

[Bloodmask]

8th December 2004, by Paul, 372 words, 219 views
Categories: Gaming, Technology

We all heard the talk, that the Cell processor would wipe away all before it. Of course anyone with any knowledge of this kind of technology would see it for what it is, more Sony bullshit. Remember the PS2?

1000 times the power of any PC. 66Gb/s of memory bandwidth. Toy Story graphics in real time. And such & such.

The same kind of outrageous claims were made with this Cell processor which is developed by IBM, Toshiba, and Sony. They claim this to be completely "revolutionary". It's not you can clearly see it's relation to the Playstation 2's processor. In that it's basically lots of weak processors bolted together, the fundamental reason the Playstation 2 is so insanely difficult to develop for and why developers are dropping it and shifting focus to the Microsoft Xbox 360. Which like all Microsoft platforms is notoriously fast and simple to develop for. Allowing developers to spend more time creating decent games instead of struggling to try and get their software to even work.

Just days ago the official press release about this Cell thing was released. The Sony fanboys started cheering, I guess they just never learn do they - and what should happen just yesterday? nVidia released a statement saying their graphics processors would feature in the Playstation 3 and other Sony products.

What happened to the mighty Cell? Sony now have to back-off saying the Cell is all mighty, and require a seperate GPU to handle graphics, yes it's 1000 times more powerful then any PC today, right that's why it can't perform GPU-like operations on it. They need a PC manufacturer to remotely stand a chance of coming up with a better graphics processor then their extremely lacking PS2. The hypocracy! Just a few years ago they were blasting the Xbox because of it using PC hardware, it featured an nVidia NV2A chip (which at the time they seemed to think was a bad thing). Of course nVidia have since been replaced by ATi, as the performance/quality graphics leader of the PC market, ATi winning the contract to develop the GPU for the Xbox 2, which they have now completed.

Sony are still lagging behind. Good luck with your Playstation 3, you're going to need it.

[Lightning Mr Bubbles]

the only thing that matters is the NPD and PS3 is getting it's brains blown out. We all saw that in September.

It doesn't matter how poweful the cell is or not. People don't even care about that when they buy a console.

[fenderputty]

the slew of good games coming out in the next couple months along with 2008 big guns leave me wonering why you wish me luck at all.

WTF is your whole rant about the cell for? Could you not hold back your biased opinion any longer? Obviously thing work on the PS3 and we're starting to see that clearly ... just because UE3 has a harder time working justifies your obnoxiously long post?

[nevelo07]

i could punch you in the face bloodmask.

[Kuest]

brings a fair point about THIRD-PARTY support. At this rate, the PS3 is set to become a second priority for the majority of TPDs. This is especially true when considering the relatively higher sales of 360 mulit-plat games compared to it's PS3 counterpart.

That's not to say, situations won't change! As developers become more proficient with next-gen hardware, PS could still reemerge as the platform of choice for TPDs, just as it was last generation.

As of now, however, I expect third party support for PS3 games to wane a little bit. Thankfully, that does not include huge titles like MGS4 or Killzone.

[Armyless]

Seriously Bloodmask, are you that naive?

[Blitzed]

LMAO! I can't believe you posted a blog entry from December 2004, years before the PS3 was even out. Is your name Paul Smith?

[xplosneer]

Like you Xbox 360 guys like to say "If it isn't made for what it is going to do then it sucks at what it will do." Sorry, but that's true for this as well. CPU's and GPU's are just not comparable.

[Lightning Mr Bubbles]

come November and December if $399 around the country doesn't help PS3 sales, then it's pretty much over for PS3.

[BlazeXXL]

the system has had enough chances, I mean, WTF almost 1 year now? Sheesh, whats takin so long sony?

Dude seriously, lol, wait for 2008, its gonna rox ur sox ;)

[ceedubya9]

The 399 sku is probably Sony's last chance to make an impact. If this doesn't take off, then I don't know if Sony will be able to bounce back. As it is, Its a good price for what its offering, but its still in the hardcore price range. And I'm sure that most hardcore gamers are going to go for the 80 gig instead. Either way, it should be interesting to see how things turn out. There are plenty of games to play this time around, so if the PS3 doesn't sell now, then lack of games won't be the reason why.

[wangdiddy82]

the 360 and ps3 versions are plagued with bugs.. Because both are going to suck really bad anyway.. lol.. This game is going to be horrible.. a lot of sites arent impressed by what the 360 version is looking like and im not impressed by the game at all. it looks to be another fps game with a dumb story... So most likely they both will suck.. The next Jeicho game if you ask me..

[SofaKingReetodded]

and got to the part where your teammates "blow" the door open, I absolutely LAUGHED @ HOW PATHETIC THE EFFECTS WERE..

blacksite = third party garbage

[King2008]

Did you just make your day when you posted this? Did you lean back in you chair smile and say "I pwned them all" because for some reason i think that you think that Sony beat you up when you was little or slept with your girlfriend. Regardless of this or anyother negative Cell post you can find everyone knows that it is very capable of makin great games....that seems like an afterthought to you because all you seem concerned about is trashing it...if your not interested in anything ps3 why do you always comment on them. Me personally i have both and enjoy both so i comment positively on both. Just keep your XBOX will conquer the world crap to yourself.

[Armyless]

http://www.dasmirnov.net/bl...

I don't know who Paul Smith is, but his blog is a tad on the weird side.

[Martini]

Well that blog guy must have had a pretty good crystal ball because he is right about most of it and that was 3 years ago :)

[PopEmUp]

Lol Bloodmask doesn't slept with his girlfriend but he slept with his boyfriend

[segasage]

PopEmUp - 13 Minutes ago
Lol Bloodmask doesn't slept with his girlfriend but he slept with his boyfriend

ummmm ENGLISH PLEASE...

What a dirtbag..

[skynidas]

who cares about this game with all the huge games coming for the ps3

[ApocalypseShadow]

this is about UE3.not cell.because again:

cell crunches more numbers than 360 for games.
cell does raytracing,360 doesn't.
cell folds home.360 doesn't.
cell puts more on screen(GT5-1080p at 60fps with 16 cars)(forza2 and pgr4-720p,60 and 30fps with 8 cars)
cells in multiple ps3s can be linked together
cell allows remote play with psp
cell is used for astronomical research
cell is used for video and servers

360 processor-only for 360 because it can't do anything else.

trying to compare a console to pcs that obviously get better and better through upgrades is not a true comparison.and secondly,games that are on 360 look better on pc.seems 360 is out of date as well.

mag lev......................

[Dannagar]

It looks as though most of you don't care and that's the problem. Most PS3 owners mention the same 5 games over and over. Third party games are failing to sell on the Playstation 3 (and 1st party too, no one bought Folklore). You guys don't go out and buy games. There and a good number of third party titles that will fail on PS3 and you guys are letting this happen. Third Party support isn't failing you, you are failing to support third parties.

[titntin]

Some third party games are not selling on PS3 its true, but thats because we're not stupid enough to buy lazy 360 ports. If devs want our money, they better make it run properly of forget any sales, and too many have done a shabby rush port job and given the PS3 a slack conversion. The games that shift better are first party developed titles that are actually programmed properly...
I bought 'Folklore' and and indeed have bought 12 Ps3 titles and am thouroughly enjoying them all. Admittidly I have many more 360 titles, but all those discs are silver :)

[ApocalypseShadow]

you bought every last game for 360.you bought ALL the third party games.third party companies love you.

i bought 11 games for ps3.we do buy games.but they have to be good.

secondly,we bought ps3s for sony games and a couple of third party games.just like nintendo fans buy nintendo systems for "nintendo games."

and third,we want games that push the evelope than just getting upgraded graphics over last gen.we want controllers that aren't just copies of the dual shock with just the analog stick offsetted.we want to be able to see all our media from anywhere in the world.something that other system can't do.

as for the topic,seems stranglehold has gone gone for ps3 and will be shipping soon.that uses unreal engine 3 and is produced by midway.one dev down,a couple more wining,complaining devs to go.

[Dannagar]

mag-lev shadow, yes! I've bough Just about every game from third party companies I love to show my support. I own a video game store. I can have whatever the hell I want. My post isn't targeted at the 10 of you have 15 games. It's targeted at the other 2 million that only own 1 game.

[xplosneer]

Some of us aren't rich enough to buy $200 worth of games every month. We probably saved a long time for a PS3 and don't get that much per month(if at all, I'm 13)

[wangdiddy82]

i wouldnt care if this game even made it to the ps3.. I wouldnt even rent this on my 360.. If they are having problems with this game on the ps3 they shouldnt even be able to develop games anymore.. This game looks horrible compared to every ps3 game out there..

[patriotZero]

Ungift Develeopers

[patriotZero]

Ungift Develeopers

[sly777]

The cell processor was developed for more than just the PS3 but other consumer appliances like future TVs and video devices. Sony incorporated into the PS3 not just for games but to recover money invested in developing it's technology.

It's very powerful from a computational standpoint and can replace a GPU if programmed correctly however that power will not be realized for another few years.

In terms of game consoles, it comes down to software. This is why Nintendo has been so successful over the years. The 360 has quality software thats fun to play right now. The PS3 is starting to build a quality lineup as well.

I don't own a 360 myself but I do own a PS3. I'm happy with my purchase and wish some of the games that are on the 360 would also be availabe on the PS3.

Also, the PS3 will not be a quantum leap superior in graphics/gameplay than the 360. People who think that are nutz. I feel that a majority of the games that are exclusive on the PS3 can be of equal quality on the 360. Yeah, I know about the Bluray arguement but for multi-platform games thats not going to matter.

The Cell is what it is... and will not blow away the 360 in the area of graphics. Sorry to all my PS3 brothers but that's the plain and simple truth.

[tfur]

your quote:
"It's very powerful from a computational standpoint and can replace a GPU if programmed correctly however that power will not be realized for another few years."

Both Ratchet & Clank and Uncharted use the SPU's for shaders. Those are tasks the GPU normally does...

So, "another few years" = today.

[Marceles]

This gen gets more development trouble stories than any of the last gens, and i'm sure each new system that comes out has their share of dev trouble. But every game thats announced with dev problems gets a new story. Keep adding logs to the fire guys...

[jackdoe]

Well, makes sense. Midway, as a developer not a publisher, has had problems with the PS3. Afterall, look at Stranglehold. God only knows when that POS game will come out. At least they aren't pulling an EA and releasing a faulty product. Still, with a delay, Midway has no excuse not to include those multiplayer features that they had taken out earlier.

[VirusE]

Many of the sony only owners are saying "no big deal" but they are missing the impact that this has on multi system owners like myself. Why would i wait to see if the game may be better for the ps3 in a few months when I can play it on my 360 now? Things like this really hurt the attach rate for the ps3 and shouldn’t be taken lightly because not everyone is a single system fanboy like most of the pro sony posters seem to be. I paid good money for my ps3 because it is technologically powerhouse with tons of potential but it is sad I own so few games for it.

[jackdoe]

The thing is, not a lot of people were waiting for this game. On the PS3, there is UT3 and Haze to look forward to. And on the 360, there is Halo 3. Of course there is that monster game CoD 4 as well. Blacksite slipped to the back of everyone's mind and no one was really anticipating it. It just looked plain compared to all those other games. I tried the demo on the 360, didn't like it, and went back to Halo 3. Well almost no one. There are those Area 51 fans after all. As for hurting the attach rate for this game, of course it will. Midway knows this as well which is why they'll probably produce less copies or lie to their investors.

[DaCandyman]

My PS3 is a beast, good for pulling an all-nighter. But every now and then I wish I could pull an all-nighter with my 360.

[nobizlikesnowbiz]

You can. Just because you play your 360 for over 2 hours doesn't mean it's going to melt man.

RnH MRob. I'm online in H3 from 10PM to past 5AM some nights.

[DaCandyman]

Dudde I am on my 3rd replacement for trying the all-nighter

[DaCandyman]

Another Multiplatform Game ported from one system to the other. In the words of PSP advertisement, "Dude, Get your own" PS3 development team. Not shortcutting port tools. However this is Midway (financial troubles). Porting games comes later in the console life cycle when enough knowledge about the system is known. BTW if you have forgotten original XBox games were ported from the PC before it was ported from the PS2 thus the short learning curve.

[Bladestar]

I agree with segamer on this one... Developers do need to make money in order to support the PS3. Do you actually think they are not trying hard to publish their games on the PS3? You think they sit down and wonder how they can make their games suck so they don't make money?
it's not their fault Sony didn't take under consideration the implications of changing everything when they optimised the PS3 to be a very good blu-ray player. Software/game development suppost to be evolutionary and not revolutionary... you can't change the platform and the development tools and all the years they have of experience making games on the PC-like development from one day to another and expect them to master it.
Lucky for Sony the PS3 is Playstation and developers don't have a choice but to support it one way or another... if the PS3 would be made by some radom company... developers would avoid it like the plage...
The Cell may be the most powerfull processor on earth... but it's useless if the majority of developers don't use it right...
Sony was way off when they assumed that developers would abandom all their knowledge and rewrite every API they have on favor of making games for the PS3... Results? Look around how many games are being delayed... Look how mad PS3 gamers are getting when they get inferior ports... and companies will continue to lose money when they make games on the PS3... how long can they do this.. without just going for the xbox 360 where they know they will be making money?
Every time Sony fans do not buy a game from one of these 3rd party developers... that another reason developers have NOT to make games on the PS3...

[Kuest]

bubbles from me.

[jackdoe]

There's a problem with your reasoning. Everytime PS3 owners buy a half assed port just makes a publisher think that it could release a half-assed port to meet deadlines and that it would sell. As I see it, it is lose lose.

[Kuest]

The developers are simply not able to produce higher quality games due to the PS3's different architecture. If Sony can provide better tech support to TPDs than, in turn, TPDs will produce better quality games, which the consumer will then buy.

What you don't seem to understand is that it would be BETTER for PS3 consumers to buy "half-assed ports", as it would alert developers that there actually EXISTS a market for PS3 games. Needless to say, with a larger consumer base, more development time would be spent to attract more consumers. As of now, software companies aren't spending that many resources because they are asking- "what's the point?"

[jackdoe]

No it wouldn't. It would just alert publishers that they could release a half-assed port and still get away with it in the PS3 market. And that leads to the what's the point mentality. Hence, the lose lose for PS3 owners. Pay $60 for a crappy port now and hopefully get a good port in the future. Or don't buy it and still get garbage in the future.

[Kuest]

is NOT the developers... it's SONY. This whole "lose-lose" situation would never have surfaced had Sony's console been more accommodating to developers. Repeatedly, third party companies have complained about Sony's repeated lack of support regarding the cell processor. This is unacceptable, and has resulted in the "half-assed ports" that you mentioned earlier.

What I'm saying is If Sony increases their support than, gradually, situations should change for the PS3. But it will take time to reverse the damage Sony's corporate heads have already inflicted on their own product.

Pride always comes before a fall.

edit:

yes "good ports" CAN be done on the PS3, but just how long does it take?

You mentioned Oblivion, but we both know that the PS3 version came out a year later... so, not really a big landmark there, right? AS for the rest of your post, you are basically agreeing w/ me. IF Sony increases their support for TPDs significantly, than expect better ports.

It's as simple as that.

[jackdoe]

I was never defending Sony. Though putting all the blame on Sony alone is unjust. The developers share some of the blame as well. After all, Oblivion was a superior port so it can be done. And as for Sony increasing support to allow for better ports. That is good. PS3 owners will just wait until those better ports come out then as Sony is getting better development tools into the hands of developers.

[ApocalypseShadow]

open gl isn't that hard,or using assembly and C.some games on ps3 don't even use the spes.companies can use EDGE from sony and ask for help.so don't lie to yourself.it's bad enough that you couldn't handle that one bubble.shows us how weak you are.

"i'll just make more accounts.""you can't stop me from flaming."

..........troll.

same goes for 360 fans on buying games.did you buy 4 millon copies of kameo?did you buy 4 million copies of perfect dark?did you buy 4 million copies of viva pinata?are you going to buy 4 million copies of banjo kazooie or scene it?are you going to buy 4 million copies of ace combat or katamari?

or are you going to buy 4 million copies of the next FPS?

thought so.

mag lev..................

[WilliamRLBaker]

actually right nowyou look the weaker if you had just countered him with logic, and good argument then you'd not look foolish instead you pulled out the OH you have multiple accounts and cant handle just one bubble.

That makes you look weak.

[karlostomy]

Is it ok to call it a 'delaystation' now?

Initially, yep, rabid fanboyism.
But now....now it 's just beyond a joke right?

Is it ok?

*ducks for cover*

[Coke-a-Cola]

...

[JIN KAZAMA]

dont delay it, just cancel the damn game. We're not gonna miss it much. We got plenty of great games on the horizen and ones we have alreay. So, stop complaining, and just cancel it. Thanks.

PLAY B3YOND

[timmyrulz]

How can anyone say that third party support isnt important, 98% of a consoles libary are 3rd party support, are you ps3 owners play the same 5 games the rest of your life, and its not like any of them are good at the moment either, warhawk, yes we all know that there are a couple of decent games in the wing but then what? all you will have are inferior multiplatform games which you will get 3 months after the 360 version which by then, the 360 will be on its next batch of games.
Oh and for god sake stop making bull crap excuses about lazy devs and "well we didnt want that game anyway" it makes you sound like your 10 years old

[stuntman_mike]

how come nintendo's survived this long then.

gamecube should have killed nintendo off, if it wasnt for some class first party games and capcom.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I do believe that Sony has made a powerful machine, and I certainly concede its got a little more juice under the hood than the 360. But I do firmly believe that Sony has created their own worst nightmare when it comes to 3rd party support. I apologize ahead of time for this long rant ...but well it only makes sense if fleshed out all the way...

Sony came into the PS3 knowing they had a HUGE user install base in the PS2, and Sony still recalls the huge lead they built right at the onset of the PS2 launch. It crushed EVERYONE in its path..Nintendo & Sega both fell by the waistside. Why? Because Sony came out and launched a good console coupled with the cheapest DVD player in the market. And DVD was THE ONLY new format for movies...and it was leaps and bounds better than tape. PS2 was not exactly easy to code for...many, many complained about it. But Sony was top dog... they forced their leverage of user base and supremecy to get EVERYONE..and I do mean EVERYONE to make games for the PS2. It just wasnt economically feasible for 3rd parties to try and ignore the PS2. So...the PS2 had great 3rd party support.

So Sony took a similar strategy for the PS3. Create a good game console with lots of bells and whistles and include in the cheapest High Def Player (at the time) on the market. Winning formula from before should work again...

Fast Forward to today...

Problem #1 - Sony over estimated the demand for Blu-Ray and the conversion to HD. It's just a plain fact...conversion to High Def is taking much longer than expected. DVD in most eyes is still more than adequate. HI-Def formats like Blu-Ray are more of a impulse luxury than a "must" have.

Problem #2 - Sony again created a device that is not as easy to develop for when compared to other formats. Sony themselves have no problem (Hence good first party titles with minor issues) but the 3rd party companies are having much larger issues with it and they themselves are not as invested in the format of Blu Ray to be willing to dump more resources at PS3 games...hence delays and later ports. Sony didnt change how they deal with 3rd party developers from back in the PS2 days. They took the same mentality that 3rd party devs would have no choice but to make them the 1st platform of choice...and what we are seeing is the industry has pushed back against that. Sony has a major PR issue to deal with..and its not with Joe public...its with 3rd party devs.

[mgbass13]

I don't understand why anyone would be worried about this. Another mediocre first person shooter gets delayed. Funny how UT3 is running fine. Looks like Midway's developers suck. This game will be average at best and if 360 owners wanna taunt about how they're getting these uninspired run-of-the mill cookie cutter games first, let them. I don't play every title out there, and honestly, who has time for this piece of rubbish with everything else coming out?

[Martini]

If UT3 is running fine then explain why is it delayed please.

[sajj316]

Software can never catch hardware. When dev tools make it easy enough to program multi-core architectures, you'll see progress. Until then, we'll only be half-way into the next generation.

Right now everything is theory. Who is willing to take the $$$$ hit in the wallet to invest into multi-core dev? Only a few devs out there are willing to push this generation. Games like Jericho, Stranglehold, and Blacksite are perfect examples of titles that could be done in the previous generation (less graphical upgrades).

In fairness to dev, they are not there. Dev is looking into deadlines, not research and development. This is why I think the next iteration of the Unreal Engine will change things.

[tfur]

Someone posted this a while back... its kinda funny looking back, and sounds familiar. Its about the ps2...

Note the date...

http://archive.salon.com/te...

It may help yield a little bit of a perspective...

[DJ]

The PS3's stats are certainly impressive; it's got hardware power to burn. But so what? There's just not much software available that can take advantage of it. The games that are being released at the same time as the system don't rise much, if at all, above games available for Microsoft’s rival (and cheaper) Xbox 360 video-game system.
And don't expect a huge number of quality games anytime soon. Sony has stupidly released a system that is in many ways a game developer's nightmare. Sony, intoxicated with success from the second PlayStation, forgot the first rule of the video-game industry: Software sells systems. If you make it hard for developers to produce good games then there's no reason for people to buy the system. This oversight has already cost Sony some goodwill -- developers are howling about how hard it is to create games for the system. In an interview with Time magazine, John Carmack, one of the developers behind such massively popular games as Doom and Quake, said that the "PS3 is definitely more powerful than Xbox 360. But it's less convenient to extract performance from it."
Sony is also under the mistaken impression that including the ability to play Blu-ray movies is a huge selling point. But true technophiles and hardcore gamers probably already have Blu-ray drives. I'm a good case in point. I already own a Sony Blu-ray player, so I could not care less if the $399 PS3 can play movies. I'd rather pay less and get a machine that just plays games instead.
In comparison, the Microsoft Xbox 360 sells for $349 and has a giant library of games already available.

[Blitzed]

I remember reading all this stuff back then about the PS2; its too hard to develop for, it has no games etc. It's funny how it parallels the FUD today. I thought the Dreamcast would become the console of choice for all the same reasons Xbox fanboys claim now. I learned my lesson then not to count Sony out.

[stuntman_mike]

haha!

wow that is a echo from gaming past lol.

john carmack said exactley the same thing about ps3 a few weeks ago, now he's resigned to making mobile phone games lol.

good find im sure the magazines and online gaming sites keep this for reference whenever sony bring a new console out, so they can keep repeating it.

[UltramanJ]

But I think it's becoming clear that unless the PS3 takes the sales lead over 360 by a large margin, and improves its development tools for third parties, the 360 will continue to be the lead system for multiplatform development.
Until that happens the supposed power of the cell, and extra storage of the Blu Ray won't be explored by anyone outside Sony which in my opinion renders them a waste.

[Genki]

but not for me...this game looks like crap. I have A51 for PS2, and wow was that ever an abomination of an FPS. I picked up Timesplitters: FP shortly thereafter and never looked back. I'm indifferent though. I couldn't see myself picking this up even if there wasn't a decent line-up for this fall and throughout next spring.

[DJ]

who spend millions of dollars for the right to use Unreal Engine 3. Publishers also need to wake up and realize that game development isn't as simple as it used to be. If you create a multiplatform title for Console A, it costs just as much as it does for console B, so expect to spend twice as much money to release the same title on two platforms.

Development on the PS2 and Xbox only required a 30~50% increase in staff and funding, which is why publishers underestimated how much they would have to invest on Xbox 360 and PS3. It's actually cheaper to have a specialized Xbox team and a specialized PS3 team since the two architectures are so radically different from each other, but have similar development costs.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Is this the first multiplatform game to have troubles? Delays, framrate issues, jaggies and gimped MP seem to "plague" 90% of all the multiplatform games when compared to their 360's counterparts.

The PS3 is supposed to be the "Gods gift of gaming" according to you PS3 fans but it keeps consistenty falling short of the 360 in "e v e r y t h i n g". Why is that? If it wern't for the Xbox's hardware reliability issues then your PS3 would have been toast by now. How far behind do you think Sony would be if the 360 never had RROD? and even with that the 360 is "still" (yes still) smoking the PS3 and it's two years old and uses "last gen DVD"

You know those extra months devs have to spend in development just to get an inferior version to the PS3 cost money and to top it all off they don't even sell 10% of what they do on the 360.

[DJ]

a huge lead, especially with the holiday season coming up. Some companies have actually wisened up and created dedicated development teams for each platform, even when working on a title that's on both PS3 and Xbox 360. In the olden PS2/Xbox 1 days, developers only had like 30~50% increase in staff and funding to create multiplatform titles. Sadly, they can't get away with that anymore.

Luckily, Sony's been providing a lot of support for its developers, and is doing its best to help 3rd party devs catch up -> PSSG and Playstation Edge are great examples.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

You shouldn't have to ask devs to stay, they should be comming to you and at the same time if not "faster" than the competition.

IMO DJ the best thing Sony could do for the PS3 would be to make a version "without" Blu-Ray, copy Live and pay some devs to release on time for a change.

[DJ]

Sony can't just jump in and provide money and force developers/publishers to hire more staff; it would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and no hardware manufacturer can do that without having some kind of return investment guaranteed. This is why there's a distinction between 3rd party and 1st party developers.

Copying LIVE would be a horrible idea since the use of dedicated servers and free online multiplayer are what give PSN an edge over Microsoft's service. And considering that Xbox 360 has twice the installed base of Playstation 3, it's smart for Sony to try and keep 3rd party developers on their platform.

It's obvious that if Sony was ignoring 3rd party developers, you would simply lambast them for that as well. Taking out Blu-ray would also be a huge debacle as most PS3 titles don't fit on a DVD; this would make over a hundred titles incompatible on future PS3 hardware, which doesn't make sense. Taking Blu-ray out of the PS3 and replacing it with a DVD drive is like taking DVD out of the Xbox 360 and puttin in a CD-ROM drive.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

All the others seem to fit quite well on DVD and there is even a console that's still playing them better.

"this would make over a hundred titles incompatible on future PS3 hardware" Question if the PS3 is so future proof then why is there no HD DVD support? According to Blu-Ray supporters that war was over 1000 news post ago but yet it keeps going.

[karlostomy]

11 million vs 6 million. That it isn't exactly a huge lead...

... but at least get the figures right:
It is actually 12 million vs 5 million.

The difference of 7 million consoles is not huge, but.... (insert fanboy comment)

[ApocalypseShadow]

the same comments from years ago are the same comments now about sony systems.and the "mighty" carmack saying the same thing then for ps2 as he has said now for ps3:sony's system are powerful,but hard to get max potential.(and he never made a console game for either hardware maker.-he let others "port" his games.)

lets look at third parties:

VF5-doesn't use UE3-came out on time
oblivion-doesn't use UE3-came out on time-better on ps3
FNR3-doesn't use UE3-came out on time-better on ps3
nba 2k7,2k8 and all pro 2k8-don't use UE3-came out on time
ridge racer 7-doesn't use UE3-came out on time-1080p,60fps
virtua tennis3-doesn't use UE3-came out on time
ninja gaiden sigma-doesn't use UE3-came out on time
spiderman3-doesn't use UE3-came out on time

see the pattern?games that don't use it,seem to come out on time.

let's look at games that do use UE3

fatal inertia-uses UE3-delayed
stranglehold-uses UE3-delayed-another delay from midway
unreal tournment 3-uses UE3-delayed-published by midway
rainbow 6-used UE3-delayed
blacksite-duh!-UE3-why this article exists-another delay from midway
turok-uses UE3-another delay from midway

and there'e more besides these.

too human on 360 delayed from using UE3.had to start over.amazing that UE3.
frame city killer from namco cancelled-used UE3.
gears of war-UE3-the only game that was released using it that was a hit.

but X-tremists figure ps3 should be a portbox like 360.since 360 is just a pc in a box.pc ports just keep on coming.ps3 gamers don't want ports.we want built from the ground up material.nintendo fans don't want ports on wii.they want original material.

but 360 gamers want ports.the same shooters,rts(s) and western rpgs they play on pc.360 gamers are basically pc gamers playing games on tv.ps3 gamers are more than fine with what sony is doing and companies that don't complain.

mag lev................

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

All the games you just mentioned delayed made with UE3, all look better "graphiclly" than "all" those other games on that list.

[stuntman_mike]

All the games you mentioned that wasnt delayed and not made with UE3, all look better "graphically" than "all" those other games on the list.

see what i did there lol!

[xplosneer]

Resistance Fall of Man-not delayed
GRAW2(uses UE3)-delayed
Ratchet and Clank(no UE)-huge graphics delayed 1 week, then delay repealed

Jason-Who cares? Also, COD4(no UE)-not delayed, kills everything.

Mag-lev and Shadow...You may be onto something....
Wow. Ridiculous.

[Martini]

GRAW 2 uses YETI engine not UE3.

[wageslave]

Hey, first off, "....mag lev" is redundant. Please skip it tool.

Secondly, your apologies for Sony's terrible design doesnt hold water. You've all run out of excuses. Now the problem is UE3.

Perhaps you missed all that the -PS3- version is being delayed, cleary the problem is the PS3. Does Assassins Creed run on UE3? no. The devs have complained about PS3. How about the bad framerates on Madden? UE3? Nope.

How about the Ratchet & Clank running at 702p with terrible jaggies? UE3? Nope. How about the washed-out Lost Planet on PS3? UE3? Again?

You people are being terribly pathetic now. Perhaps Sony's machine is half-baked? Perhaps the development chain is shiat?

Wake up.

[Lex Luthor]

What's new?

[wageslave]

From the fantasy land that most N4G forum members live:

"Another day, another group of lazy, disloyal developers trying to screw-over the PS3.."

Right, its all just those stupid developers being lazy right...

/sarcasm.

[razer]

I loved the demo (I'm an FPS whore) and I think the final game will be great. They need to get this game out before CoD4 or they will have some stiff competition. I guess this delay has decided which version I'm going to purchase.

[dirtrider]

i want a ps3 one day but it seems day after day my "want" decreases. i like the ps3 its a very attractive, well built beast. only thing i hate bout my 360 is its reliability-which soon ill have one with th falcon chipset hopefully thatll fix the reliability issue. if the xbox fansthat also play on live would grow up some and realise this one fact-when the ps3 version of a game is released on blu-ray with all the content on disk no need for downloading, it forces microsoft to make the downloadable content free on live- hence graw 2 and rb6 vegas. so u damn right i want ps3 around as a competitor, and maybe one day as a co-console. peace wanna play graw or vegas hit me up i got 2 live names- demented spirit, and ixi assazin ixi peace

[SomeAnalyst]

expecting consumers to pay top dollar and expecting developers to learn a unique, new architecture without providing them decent tools. Consumers and developers actually do have other options than "the Sony way".

[ALMIGHTYPS3]

IT WILL GET DONE,END OF STORY.

[aggh im on fire]

The Ps3 is a great bit of kit theres no denying that but i do hope Sony takes these lessons on board and make the next Playstation a bit more coder friendly. Theres obviously a lot of problems in programming it. All the computing power in the world means nothing if you can't access it properly. Lucklily there are some coders who are up to the challenge but make it easier for them next time Sony.

[KINGDRAMA]

CELL WONT BE A BRAND NEW ARCHITECHTURE TO THESE IDIOTS.THE PROGRAMMING TOOLS WILL BE THERE FROM PS3.....just the cell and supporting hardware will be stronger and more advanced.

[micky_21_uk]

I think developers at this time would rather be programing on a sega saturn. lol

[akira]

DON'T LISTEN TO DUMBASSES!!!
to all sony fanboys like me lets all unite and ban this ass kissing(microsoft),money hungry sites namely GAMESPOT, GAMESPY and 1UP. they are dumasses which does not have the right to be called review sites. they are all microsofts puppets! especially that guy AARON THOMAS he is full of crap because he is trying to destroy something that a lot of people put their heart and soul on perfecting a game like ratchet and clank
i must tell you guys right now it is the most awesome game i have ever played. it will make you say OH MY GOD!!!!! that is how good it is. the graphics is unbelievable they have put so much attention to detail that as a lot of people said almost like PIXAR quality and that is quite an achievement. all right people be smart and if you call yourselves gamers then test drive this baby and see what you've been missin, which to my mind is going to be the game of the year!! well i'll probably reserve that until i see uncharted drakes fortune. as for me i'm lovin every moment of this. thats all for now dudes.. peace out! AAAAAHUUUUUUUU!!!

[TheMART]

Ouch ouch ouch

The bad version of games for the PS3 keep coming. When was it going to change PS3 fanboys??

[Pika-pie]

Spring 2008 (hopefully)

Hm, I wonder when MS are going to sort all the RROD problems with its consoles.

[KINGDRAMA]

fvck developers as these that arent open to change and learning new methods. let them keep their last generation software. Support games like uncharted and Rnc AND THE SLEW OF OTHER GAMES THAT WONT BE MULTIPLATFORM.THESE ARE THE TITLES THAT ARE NEXT GEN.DONT BUY multiplatform games unless its by developers willing to learn new hardware. DONT GIVE EM your money/ dont support garbage.

At the 30 sumthing year old above me that acts like a 6 year old lil b1tch: What are you gonna do in a couple of months? I predict youll just dissapear down the drain like the stool that u are....along with your other [email protected] suck being 30 and having nothing better to do but hang around in a games website. I pity u. Ur life seems worthless, arent you late for work at dunkin donuts? LOSER? ill take a blueberry /light and sweet douchebag.....OH and keep the change, youll need every penny you can get .

[segasage]

me that knows sh#t about game development. while all they can do is whine like little b#$ches about a ps3 game getting one bad review, as well as blaming developers for sony's pos architecture as well as gamers that tell the truth.

why don't you, save the whiny drama fo your mama.

now on this article: sony better get their sh#t together.

[Pika-pie]

Oh man, not again. Not more negative PS3 news, wheres the love???

Get it sorted Sony!

[feejo]

Oh my, that is MICROSOFT FAULT. They wanted to be first to get the next gen console, now everyone rush and butch the games, that is horrible.

Players are ready for next gen.

The WHOLE industry is not. That is why everything is delayed.

[Ahmadinejad]

meh!

[AliC]

Stepping into a flame thread, but this is more down to developers lazyness that a problem with the PS3. The system is by no means perfect but when you look at some of the games that are coming soon and have already been released you have to ask yourself serious questions.

PS3 is difficult to design for, the same was said for the PS2 and the Playstation, but when you look back there where some trully amazing games released on those systems, that showed if you get it right the games will look great.

And to finish its a case that sony simply cannot win with this constant negative publicty all positives are ruled out with this mentality that anything Sony must be bad and that they should fail. This is present in all fanboys alike and its sad. Remember that no matter what system you play new ideas and games that do things different are a positive don't knock a game simply because its on another system, except that game for what it is and the step forward some of these games make both for interaction and game ideas.

Just look at games like Ratchet and Clank, Killzone 2 and Drakes Fortune can you truly have any doubts that there are serious problems with the PS3 or is more a problem with the developers themselves.

[sleepbox]

11 mil vs 6 mil isn't a huge lead, but who cares about hardware at this point? Software wise...and this is where Sony and MS make the most $, 360 is SMOKING the PS3 in every way shape and form.

[jib]

lets all blame the 3rd party developers.

its capcoms fault lost planet looks like ass on the ps3. its midways fault strangehold still hasnt been released on the ps3, and that blacksites being plagued with problems. its EAs fault skate/other sportsgames/etc. is worse on the ps3. lets blame ubisoft for the delayed games/worse ports. lets blame konami for the half ass online play. lets blame sega for the lack of of online play for virtua tennis/fighter. blabla blacksite for lacking online features. blablabla

i mean come on. by now im sure we can safely say a lot of these problems are there because of sony.

everyone keeps bringin up 1st party games without even considering the fact that 1st party developers have the luxury of having the resourse to focus on a single platform as opposed to 3rd party developers who have to cut and divide their developer teams into 2-3 dif groups. hypothetically speaking, im sure R&C wont look as good as it does now if their team was to be divided into 3 teams to do a 360/wii version.

[Leathersoup]

The way I look at it, the less games that PS3 owners buy for their system, the more developers will shy away from producing games for the system.

This strange stance that the PS3 owners are taking is going to end up hurting the console rather than helping it.

[jib]

yep. a cycle sony does not want to be in.

consumers buy very few copies of a game on given console(this case, ps3) = less likely for a developer to support/focus on that console = less console sales(ps3) due to better games on competitors console

the less you sony fanboys support these companies, the less likely they'll be willing to spend more money making a better version of a game on the ps3

[brothersimon]

pwnedddddddd

[TheXgamerLive]

We the Xbox 360 fans have had it for a few months now, Hmmm, well they'll get it eventually I guess. The games underestimated and very very good.

[MadMax]

Its good to own a 360. Man, no wonder all the price drops Sony has been having with the PSP and PS3. In such little time they have drastically price dropped the PS3 because no one is buying their system. Only the fa@boys are buying it and peeps that buy into hype! Its getting worse by the weeks for these guys, i have been waiting for a reason to go buy one and still cant think of one. This is the first time for me to not go out and buy every game system that comes out. That goes to show anyone that owns this system right now got totally suckered. Feel sorry for some of you.