Citing difficulties to create software for Sony PlayStation 3 game console, video game developer Electronic Arts said that it would not release a version of Red Alert 3 title for the latest game machine by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
“We actually announced a PS3 version early on but that was when we were still doing a lot of technical exploration of the architecture. PS3 is a very powerful system but as you guys know it’s very exotic and tough to develop for and our engine really at the time wasn’t designed for PS3,” said Electronics Arts producer Amer Ajami, in an interview with Videogamer web-site.
Red Alert 3 is a real-time strategy game, a spin off from the Command and Conquer-series, which was highly anticipated by gamers. Originally, Electronic Arts promised to release the Red Alert 3 for personal computer (PC), Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3.
Nevertheless, there is still some hope for those, who wanted to play Red Alert 3 on Sony’s PlayStation 3:
“[We] might go back and do something with the PS3 later on,” said Mr. Ajami.
It is hardly the first time when large game developers complain about difficulties to create titles for PlayStation 3. Both Valve and id Software said that software development for the Cell processor used inside the PS3 was very uneasy.
Comments currently: 16
Discussion started: 07/31/08 09:24:58 AM
Latest comment: 07/31/08 06:11:21 PM
Expand all threads |
Collapse all threads
[1-12]
1.
It's funny that EA dumped this considering that the sales numbers for EA's PS3 titles are quite impressive and on par if not greater than x-box 360 numbers. So, what is EA's business strategy here? I guess alienating your consumer base would be the explanation for this move.
[Posted by: moshedanger | Date: 07/31/08 09:24:58 AM]
+ expand thread (2 answers)
- collapse thread
The business strategy is Playstation software sucks a donkey's ass. Always has. EA can't figure out how to port their game engine to PS3 in a reasonable manner (which is pathetic consider how shitty EA ports are historically). Lame developer. Lame console.
[Posted by: boner | Date: 07/31/08 09:34:15 AM]
The problem is that the cost to develop the engine to run decently may cost more than they expect to make. Thing is EA probably only has a few good PS3 programmers and they would rather put them on a project that can either pull in more numbers or wouldn't take as long to complete. If it was said that only 1 in 100 programmers could get close to full power in the Sega Saturn (using the power of both processors over a limited 32-bit bus) then that's probably the number of programmers that can get half the power out of the PS3.
Even if it's hard a good programmer will do it, but if your a manager at EA you would rather put your good programmer on projects that are expected to sell in higher numbers and take shorter times to complete so you can maximize the amount of money you make.
If you want to blame someone then blame Sony for not putting out better SDKs to help shorten development time.
[Posted by: Megamanx00 | Date: 07/31/08 03:39:24 PM]
2.
[Nelson says] Hah-hah!
[Posted by: boner | Date: 07/31/08 09:32:40 AM]
3.
Wonder how much money Microsoft paid EA to read off an anti-Sony transcript they wrote up. Just as many development groups have commented on either the ease or equality in programming for the PS3. How do these gaming developers plan on keeping a job when they can't even keep up on technology. They'll have to learn multi-core processing sooner or later, it isn't going away anytime soon.
[Posted by: The Truth | Date: 07/31/08 10:33:35 AM]
+ expand thread (1 answer)
- collapse thread
Well, let's say that it is difficult to develop for. So What? We pay 60 bucks for each of these lousy titles. Part of what we are paying for is marketing, shipping etc.., but a good part of the money we pay for a title is development. Programmers are paid to program and develop innovative ways to work with code. I'm a comp sci guy myself and when I was given a task I just programmed. I didn't complain about how hard it was. If I didn't understand something I read up on how to do it. It's kind of like me saying. Wow, Java is so easy to work with but C++ really sucks because it's harder.
[Posted by: moshedanger | Date: 07/31/08 12:09:16 PM]
4.
Lazy arse developers, just looking for a fast buck, anyway were talking about EA wich are way behind the times in the graphics department (nascar 09) (madden 09)
[Posted by: Johnson | Date: 07/31/08 11:24:17 AM]
5.
Looks like EA needs to update their technology.
[Posted by: Bravo | Date: 07/31/08 11:41:38 AM]
6.
why is it that the big game devs always complain, whereas the smaller devs make the best games
[Posted by: Addnan | Date: 07/31/08 12:14:49 PM]
7.
"Essentially, what we are trying to say is that we have software technolgy from 1999, which is compatible with a PC, ergo also 360 because it is also based on 1999 technolgy. That said, we are a company that no longer makes original games, we just re-issue old games with new labels. Therefore, if there is a new technology, we really don't have any talent within our company that can do anything with it. That's been our strategy for the last eight years and it has gotten this far."
[Posted by: tankerkevo | Date: 07/31/08 12:44:07 PM]
8.
Sucks at making games especially good ones. Sony doesn't need any crap from EA every game EA makes SUCKS.
[Posted by: Ivan_PSP | Date: 07/31/08 01:25:22 PM]
9.
It's like Linus Torvalds said:
Those who can, do.
Those who can't, complain.
[Posted by: Danbo | Date: 07/31/08 01:47:51 PM]
+ expand thread (1 answer)
- collapse thread
And those who use Linux whine and cry like bitches.
[Posted by: boner | Date: 07/31/08 06:11:21 PM]
10.
I know that recent numbers show that EA sell more PS3 titles, but it might also be the case that PS3 titles take a longer time to develop, more man power and a higher level of skills (in short cost more money to develop). This being the case, even though the actual number of games shipped might be higher for the PS3's, it might still happen that they get bigger margins on the PC, 360 or Wii versions.
If anything I would blame Sony for not coming out with better SDKs which would make life easier for developer. As a developer I like to work with newer technologies, but trust me no one likes to work with clunky and slow IDEs (I am guessing that's what the EA devs are bitching about).
[Posted by: Ric | Date: 07/31/08 03:20:29 PM]
11.
what no red alert. wow i dream of playing it.WHATEVER NO ONE CARES ABOUT THIS .WHAT A WASTE OF A BLOG .(PS3 fanman) < YOUTUBE THIS!
[Posted by: PS3 FANMAN matthew g | Date: 07/31/08 04:16:33 PM]
12.
The sad thing is, if EA or anyone for that matter was to develop a PS3 game FIRST and then try to port it to the 360 these exact same arguments and complaints would be going Microsoft's way.
I own a PS3 and am a happy owner. I have a number of good games to play, as well as a Blu-ray player.
I don't care if Madden runs at 70 fps on 360 and 20 on the PS3, if it looks and plays good then that is all that matters. Besides MOST people, and say what you will, it is fact, couldn't tell 70fps from 40fps unless someone told them it was so.
[Posted by: Me | Date: 07/31/08 05:29:33 PM]
[1-12]
Make Home Page
Add to Favorites
Print article
Send link to friend
Digg this
Post to del.icio.us
Post to Slashdot