No more dev-kits? Sounds like a pack of lies...

by Nick Doerr { Sep 11th 2006 at 1:30PM }

Kotaku isn't exactly the best source of information and there's a pretty decent counterpoint to their new "mole" who claims that there are no more PS3 dev-kits. Let's first toss up the mole's quote.

"Sony has run out of PS3 test kits to give to developers. Since the announcement of the European launch being delayed, nobody has any idea what's going to happen with the PS3 port of F.E.A.R... specially since we only have the one PS3. And it's a devkit. In case you haven't seen those things, they sound like giant vacuum cleaners. They're reportedly ridiculously complicated to use, specially when upgrading the firmware. It has just the one controller, and it's not even the proper PS3 one even! It doesn't have those "innovative" changes from the PS3 controller, it's just a Dual Shock 2 with a USB Mini port."

All right, first off, we feel IGN is a much more reliable source of information as well as a named "mole" -- namely, Sega. A long while back we talked about Sega's and IGN's reaction to the dev kit. Let's dissect Kotaku's mole now (ignoring the F.E.A.R. comment, which has already been confirmed it's coming to PS3). The dev-kits run quietly, not like vacuum cleaners. Easy to program for and understand, not complicated, not "specially" when upgrading firmware. The controller comment is false, as IGN's comments about how the wireless controllers could detect what machine and port they were plugged into directly imply a wireless setup. Now, if Sony gets bad press, we won't dance around the truth too much. But don't make up stuff to kick them when they're down. The end.

Tags: IGN, Kotaku, Playstation 3, Playstation3, PS3, Sega

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

dsr7997 @ Sep 11th 2006 1:50PM

The Sony bashing is getting a little out of hand. I understand being upset as people feel that they were lied to but flat out making stuff up is wrong.

Giddieon @ Sep 11th 2006 2:15PM

WOW Nick my compliments... someone that has some sense at any of the joystiq branches...

I have to say I hope to see more of your common sense on this site...

Thanks you,
Gid

TheGuyNextDoor @ Sep 11th 2006 4:19PM

I noticed Kotaku's article shortly after it was released, and I was going to email them to debunk their "story", but then I thought: "What's the point. They hate Sony, they hate PS3, they just want to sh$£-stir".

Will it ever end? Even after PS3 is launched, I'm sure we will still see concoted rumours, heresay and misquotes til the cows come home.

tom @ Sep 11th 2006 3:03PM

'course, they could have just one OLD dev kit, and haven't got one of the new ones with all the finalized features. You have to assume that a shortage on the consumer end is going to bring a shortage on the developer end too.

bub @ Sep 11th 2006 3:53PM

That's typical Kotaku, which is out-sourced disinformation straight from the bowels of Microsoft.

B33 @ Sep 11th 2006 5:01PM

It's pathetic how fanboys bash Sony... And Kotaku is mainly the one starting the rumors. Joystiq is better... But their starting to slip up. PS3fanboy is the best source out there for PS3 news.

ozymandias @ Sep 11th 2006 5:03PM

"...and it's not even the proper PS3 one even!"
I got it. the mole is snagglepuss from the classic hanna-barbera cartoon!
Sorry, Im old

SuicideNinja @ Sep 11th 2006 6:16PM

What I have noticed is incessant whining on everyone's part. I'm sure we can't help it (including myself).

I'd like some actual information on the devkit. I get conflicting information all the time. The lead developer at my place of employment says his cousin works for EA, and he hears negative things all the time about working with the PS3. And then there are in-bed developers and IGN people saying the opposite. We're just never going to know unless we get to code for ourselves.

One thing about the PS3fanboy's comments on that IGN article is "no lag whatsoever". This would make sense since all the users (i.e. developer employees at work) likely had more bandwidth than the average consumer and well, nobody uses the Playstation Network (traffic is a non-issue). They won't have the problem of experiencing someone with low-bandwidth/spotty connection as being host.

As for Kotaku, Crecente defends the PS3 in various articles, too. The PS3-hate that is incessantly whined about is just the result of Sony's actions. They've complained about the Xbox 360, but you won't read or remember that as much since you can't whine about it. Right?