Phil Harrison pledges support to Epic and their Unreal Engine

by Nick Doerr { Jul 23rd 2007 at 2:15PM }

Sony engineers are hard at work optimizing the Unreal Engine 3 for the PlayStation 3, reports Phil Harrison proudly. For those of you who don't know, the Unreal Engine 3 is the "big deal" graphics engine for this generation of systems (sans the Wii). News that the system is getting optimized for the PlayStation 3 is pretty handy, letting us know we can expect some excellent titles in the coming years, possibly exclusive due to said optimization.

Phil also apologized to Epic indirectly, admitting that Sony did not support them as much as they could have in the beginning, but are taking steps, like those mentioned above, to rectify the situation. With the Unreal Engine 3, optimizing the use of the SPU's is the crucial task. Harrison explains the importance of that aspect: "The benefits that it yields to end developers, whether they're writing exclusive titles or multiplatform titles, is that the performance on PS3 goes up exponentially - and it will make for a much better game experience." Let's just hope that lawsuit between Epic and Silicon Knights ends in a way that won't attack such lofty goals for massive damage.

[via Games Industry]

Tags: epic, philharrison, unrealengine3

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Stef Geiger @ Jul 23rd 2007 2:24PM

This is actually pretty cool - if Sony and Epic do a really good job making the Unreal Engine work well on the PS3, and since a huge portion of games this generation will employ it, we're more likely to have games that look pretty and have stable framerates.

Kind of makes me wonder how it is that developers are getting UT2007 games to work on the PS3 as well as they do now. Think about R6: Vegas, Area 51....

pete @ Jul 23rd 2007 2:36PM

cogs of battle II... on ps3!!go epic!

pete @ Jul 23rd 2007 3:09PM

never even thought bout showstopper, i got a laptop running xp just fine! why bother??

Stef Geiger @ Jul 23rd 2007 3:17PM

Showstopper: Why are you paying for it? You can get it for free, legally. I'm not sure what the $100 version has, but I'm sure it's not really worth it. Also, if you're using a TV without HDMI or DVI inputs, I'm not sure it works. I could be wrong, but I don't think it supports component out. Also, reformatting your HDD and setting everything up to install is less than fun.

I personally don't REALLY see the point in getting linux running, aside from being able to play xvid movies etc.

dantad @ Jul 23rd 2007 3:24PM

if you don't want the support you can get it for $50 off the website its just underneath the $100 option

bleakcabal @ Jul 23rd 2007 3:28PM

@Showstopper: That's one of the most off-topic post I've ever seen.

Jonathan @ Jul 23rd 2007 3:35PM

TheSh0wstopper

A couple things before you go out and spend the $100.
a) You can download and burn it to a DVD and pop it in to your PS3 and install for free, no need to pay for it. (You just don't get any support)
b) Please keep in mind that Linux on the PS3 currently can not access the graphics card. Which means that you will not be able to play any Linux games on it. This is one of the things that stoped me from going through the trouble of installing it.

Other then that feel free to give it a go if you've got the time and effort.

ontopic()
I'll looking forward to seeing how UT3 turns out on the PS3, I may pick it up for the PS3 as well as the PC, just to compare the two.

pete @ Jul 23rd 2007 3:39PM

if your cup tea is doing things, installing linux on ps3, for the sake of doing it i mean WHY THE HELL NOT.

1. It adds functionality to my PS3. ( divx being the only thing id want right NOW)
2. Sometimes I dont want to use my computer. (laptop, play and surfs the internets at the same time baby!)
3. Impress my friends (i'm a bit of a show off, but then again look at my name)( Could care less what my friends think about me or my ps3)
4. Show other PS3 users what my system can do that theirs doesn't (See #3)( see#3)
5. Its only $100
*6*. And most importantly show XBOTS what my PS3 can do that their 360 cant. ( Could care less what xbots think about me or my ps3)

pete

Jldowning @ Jul 23rd 2007 3:47PM

@ thehedon1

Do I smell Xbot?

Yes the showstopper was off-topic, but there is a lack of forums on this site. So I think we all have been given the chance to go off-topic every now and then.

Aside form that I really don't see what, if anything, Xbox Live has on Home, aside form costing money.

In general, not @ anyone.
All I ever here half of you people say is, "Sony better get its act together" and once it does, it seems like all I hear is "Sony is copying this!" or that "Sony's afraid of that!"

Just enjoy the new software and options that are being given to you ;)

shase @ Jul 23rd 2007 3:50PM

live anywhere is a ripoff... internet gaming should be free and only MMOs should be charged a price. But back on topic, shouldnt Epic be the ones to optimizing it and not Sony? I mean Sony or whoever is the customer and the merchant should optimize it. It somewhat seems like Epic throughs a decent engine and then collects the money and have the buyers optimize it.. Harrison did say Epic is not a huge company so they dont have the manpower to optimize it all... but epic shouldve considered that before selling half assed engines to people.

Silicon Knights guys are just ridiculous for suing Epic though...I think they are just trying to blame someone else for their "trilogy" too human-hell by the time too human 1 comes out it would be like a 2nd gen 360 game in a 4th gen year of 360's life.

Jldowning @ Jul 23rd 2007 4:33PM

Well if SK really didn't get the dev kit in the time they were by contract required to get it, they pretty much are in the right. The question is, are they sueing for the right amount...

As for Epic being able to do it themselves? I donno, but EA and UBISOFT have decided its alright to turn out a half ass'd port then do it themselves. I think what Sony is trying to do now it take its devs experience and lend a helping hand to people working on the PS3 Hardware, until the Devs have the knowledge to do it themselves.