Assassin's Creed facing problems with DVD, PS3 memory
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Oct 12th 2007 at 2:00PM }
Ubisoft's big game of the year, Assassin's Creed is running to problems on both Xbox 360 and PS3. On Xbox 360, the developers are noting that the size of a traditional DVD is much too limiting for the ambitious action game. Speaking to Pro-G, the team reveals that "right now we have a big challenge on the 360 to make it fit on a DVD, to put five languages, to put all the data on eight gigs. On the Blu-ray side we're really good."However, developing on the PS3 isn't all roses and candy. The team is struggling for a completely different reason on PS3. "How we handle memory is really different between the two machines and we're struggling right now on the PS3." Thankfully, with a little help from Sony, the team is confident that "the PS3 version is as good as the 360." In a time where developers are making lazy ports to PS3, it's great to hear that such a huge title as Assassin's Creed is getting the treatment it deserves on our system. Oh, and it actually comes out on the same day as the 360 version as well. That's the way we like it.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Toby @ Oct 12th 2007 2:04PM
Ubisoft has been really good with ports. And this one is more in depth than just a port so I have full confidence that we will get a great game
jtedesco33 @ Oct 12th 2007 2:05PM
Sounds like we may be having another delay, I really hope not I prefer the Playstation platform and I don't want to have to dust off my crapbox to play this game. At least they are siting problems with the crapbox so that all of the negative press doesn't fall on Sony's shoulders.
Devs give our machine way to much negative press there are so many things that the PS does well, I just wish more devs would highlight those strengths a little bit more.
Frank @ Oct 12th 2007 2:08PM
Didn't they already say the AI would be significantly better on 360, due to processors or something?
ruibing @ Oct 12th 2007 2:16PM
@3
Yeah I saw that too on Joystiq, but it was apparently a misunderstanding on how AI algorithm is handled and processed.
http://www.ps3land.com/article-820.php
LV426 @ Oct 12th 2007 8:36PM
I dont doubt it is going to be good onboth.. what I doubt is the issue of space. Is it REALLY that big a deal to have 2 discs? I mean, iether machine, you have 512MB TOTAL for RAM, so how can you need a bigger chunk at once then 9 gigs?
Jevanzz @ Oct 12th 2007 2:18PM
I hope this is resolved, and fast! This is the one game I want this year. I'd give my pinky to have it right now!
Hovan316 @ Oct 12th 2007 2:27PM
LOL...and they said we don't need more that 8.2 GIGs...Well look who's laughing now! They are having a hard time fitting the game on a single DVD. LOL...And They said we don't need BLU-RAY!! HAHAHA...Sucks for you Xbots...
I'm sure the memory thing is not a big deal for the Ps3 and the game will be great.
But this is just the beggining. It shows that disc space on media is needed for the future and blu-ray is the right way to go.
Dadidito @ Oct 12th 2007 2:38PM
Both problems really are not that big a deal. At worst they put another disc in the box for the 360.
The PS3 problem seems to be just a matter of time working with the Sony people to circumvent.
Regardless agree with (1) Ubisoft has had a pretty good track record so far. No cop outs in developing and lame excuses (so far).
MYPS3KilledMy360 @ Oct 12th 2007 2:38PM
the only good port Ubi had was GRAW 2
KillarClown @ Oct 12th 2007 2:50PM
He said memory is handled differently.. not that there isn't enough.. here come the backyard computer/programmer geniuses to flame us to death! ahhhhhhhhh!
and, personally, having to use more than one disk IS an issue.. that means more for me to scratch or lose.. well actually the 360 would be doing the scratching.. and it's no excuse when Blu's storage can go up to 100-200 gigs.. look it up.. massive storage isn't getting popular without a good reason and considering games are a form of media that need a lot of storage like other HD stuff.. gimme storage!
mbyte84 @ Oct 12th 2007 11:10PM
"In a time where developers are making lazy ports to PS3, it's great to hear that such a huge title as Assassin's Creed is getting the treatment it deserves on our system" Do you work in Sony's PR department or is that just wishful thinking? Of course the developers are going to state that they're working to iron out all the kinks and they 'hope' the game will be the same. There is still plenty of time for the game to be delayed on the PS3.
psfan @ Oct 12th 2007 3:10PM
i don't want it to be as good as xbox. i want it to be better. the ps3 is significantlly more powerful and more expensive for a reason. i mean common isn't our processor and graphics supposed to blow everyone else out of the water? as good as xbox?! i am a die hard playstation fan; i wait in lines, i save my money, i only own playstation gear. with everything that's been going on; i.e. delays, dev. complaining about whatever it is they complain about, people bashing sony for their choices, stating every week how we're getting killed by the competitors in sales, other fanboys rubbing in our faces how we are getting out sold 5:1 2:1. iam starting to wounder if their is a light at the end of this tunnel. all of our exclusives have now abandoned ship. (i still love you but this is my new friend.) that how it feels. pretty soon god of war. metal gear. and all other exclusives that we brag about having are going to be multi platform. and to me multi platform means: make one half ass game. dull the graphics for this system. add a bonus for that system. and let it go. no one is trying to push the ps3 to the limit. and thats sad. we are losing alot of fans. losing alot of games that once made me proud to be a psfanboy.
Jeff @ Oct 12th 2007 3:21PM
Ubisoft wants it on one disc so they don't have to manufactre 2 DVDs for every game, that would make it more expenisve.
Neil @ Oct 12th 2007 3:21PM
I can't help but feel we may be in for a delay for Assassin's Creed. *sigh*
At least Ratchet and Clank is going to be AWESOME....at least going by the demo. :)
rawd @ Oct 12th 2007 3:23PM
2 DVD's , are you kidding me?
"Woohoo! I can't wait to play this game!"
* please insert disc 2*
* please insert disc 1*
* please insert disc 2*
zzzzzzzzzz
John Q Sample @ Oct 12th 2007 3:25PM
To all you people suggesting a second Xbox DVD, three words:
.
.
.
No Sanbox Play!
.
.
.
Imagine a Grand Theft Auto in which you'd have to switch discs to get from one city to another. Yuck. It's the same for this game.
"As good as the 360 version." Why because it's not supposed to be as good as the 360 version? How bout the 360 version being as good as the PS3 version for once?
Tim @ Oct 12th 2007 3:25PM
@11
That was quite heartfelt and I feel your pain man. I feel it can only get better not worse. Sony dedicated developers are making great games for the PS3. In example: Naughty Dog with Drake's Fortune, Insomniac with Rathcet and Clank, Ninja Theory with Hevenly Sword, Polyphony with GT5, Game Republic with Folklore, and more. I think once the third party developers see how well these titles do they will want to move their titles in whatever genre as well. This leaves them no choice but to develop for the PS3 and stop with the cheap ports (EA!). It's up to us as owners to support first and second party titles to encourage this shift in attitude by the 3rd party developers. My .02
RazielDune @ Oct 12th 2007 3:27PM
i agree with 14 Putting in more than one disc to me died with FF9.
rawd @ Oct 12th 2007 3:34PM
BREAKING NEWS
Gabe Newell thinks switching DVD's is not a waste of time?
mccomber @ Oct 12th 2007 3:38PM
Seems like memory is going to be the ps3's big weakness. This isn't the first time that has been brought up as an issue; just a matter of how they'll work around it in the future. Wonder what difference another 128mb for the system would have made...
Still seems strange to me that at a time when 1gb of memory in a computer is pretty standard we're seeing half that in the consoles. Wasn't the 360 originally planning on even less than what it has now? Imagine if that had gone through...
I realize it's expensive, but it still seems like a weakspot for both consoles compared to the rest of the specs.
upz @ Oct 12th 2007 3:46PM
A revelation of this magnitude is a pretty bad sign this late in the game. Given that the game is due out next month, and factoring two weeks of manufacturing and distribution time after the beta goes gold, that gives them, what, another month to sort out these seemingly monumental problems? I smell a delay around the corner.
Goity @ Oct 12th 2007 3:53PM
Personally, I think the title is pretty fair. Why exactly do language tracks not have to be there? Or does most of Europe not exist?
The RAM is a fairly weak spot, but you have to remember how much RAM is used by Operating systems, particularly Vista which basically needs 1GB of RAM to function nicely.
PJ @ Oct 12th 2007 3:59PM
Im another who thinks that Assassins Creed will be delayed. But, you cant miss what you never had... right? when the demo comes, thats when i'll start getting irritated. But as with HOME, Id rather it was done right than done half arsed.
"How we handle memory is really different between the two machines ..." I still think thats a polite way of saying "...we dont have much to work with..."
Are there any official reasons why the PS3 only got a (in my opinion) meager 256MB ram? Maybe it does run faster but surely that means something somewhere has to work harder than it would have to if there were twice as much space to (temporeraly) store data?
Whatever.
Looking forward to AC and i hope its as good as it looks.
JKPierce @ Oct 12th 2007 4:42PM
"The ps3's problem actually stems from a deficiency in the hardware, and that is the real news."
I'm really hoping that's sarcasm. Memory-wise, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are nearly identical--the only difference being the latter's memory is divided and developers (Ubisoft especially) are having trouble with the learning curve. The issue is that they don't want to bother.
Which is the issue at hand for DVD9. If the developer wants to put five different languages on one disc for ease of use, then the only limitations are particular companies and their lack of foresight. "Well, just split the discs up." Well, okay. That texture memory, for example, doesn't just magically wait there while one loads up the next disc, so it's got to be put on there, too. If the developer wants the user to be jumping back into earlier levels, it's more of a hassle than its worth. And that's not to mention if they want to make a considerably-lengthed title; are publishers really going to keep doubling- or tripling-up on DVD production costs when developers start thinking outside the ever-shrinking box? The result is industry-leading developers like Kojima Productions cutting parts of their latest game out to make one comfy package, a la Metal Gear Solid 3.
Konchu @ Oct 12th 2007 4:32PM
@22 Technically both the 360 and the PS3 both have 512MB ram the 360 is a little more flexible though cause all the ram can be used by either the GPU or CPU. The PS3 has its split up in 2 256 pools one for each and it can do some sharing just not as well. So depending on the situation the 360 does have some advantages at least in instances were one side doesnt need as much memory.
Virtua Fanboy @ Oct 12th 2007 5:13PM
What I'm curious as to is...What is the point of even releasing info like this? Is it really productive? lol I guess it's just free publicity. Oh well, it passes the down time we have at work/school I guess, lol.
And guess what everybody? They're both gonna be on one disc and they're both gonna play just alike.
Easo @ Oct 12th 2007 5:30PM
"right now we have a big challenge on the 360 to make it fit on a DVD, to put five languages,"
Why do devs feel like they need to put every regions audio on every disc this generation. I understand that because the PS3 is region free and uses blu ray, devs can save a few dollars and put as many language tracks as they can on one disc. But the 360 is a reigon locked console. Thus, if I have a Japanese 360 I wouldnt be able to play the American version of AC anyway. So why do both disc need to have both languages?
Easo @ Oct 12th 2007 5:40PM
"Technically both the 360 and the PS3 both have 512MB ram the 360 is a little more flexible though cause all the ram can be used by either the GPU or CPU."
Therefore devs never have access to more than 256MB of RAM to use in any one application now do they? To be honest though, neither setup is really superior to the other, and quite frankly, in todays graphic intensive games they both skate the border of inadequacy.
watcher @ Oct 12th 2007 5:42PM
@26
Developers and publishers save money putting multiple languages on a disk rather than manufacturing multiple versions with different languages. One gold copy = one distribution line for the world and everyone's happy.
Hatchetforce @ Oct 12th 2007 5:47PM
First of all Assissin's Creed isn't a port to the PS3.
Second, look at this hands on of PS3 and 360 versions of CoD4.
http://www.dailygame.net/news/archives/006696.php
Especially note these remarks:
"The PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions all look surprisingly similar, but that's not due to one platform being the lead; Infinity Ward personally assured us that development occurred simultaneously on all three platforms, and that there wasn't a base system. With that said, the console similarities end when it comes to textures, lighting and resolutions, because those three areas make the PlayStation 3 version definitely excel over the Xbox 360 SKU."
So you see those days of beating up the PS3 are coming to an end.
JKPierce @ Oct 12th 2007 6:06PM
Easo:
That argument applies to only the correlation of Japan and another country. Europe has at least four major languages crammed into a comparatively small area.
That's not to mention that if the developers want to do it, why shouldn't they?
And as far as memory goes, again--the base of the memory is split in the PlayStation 3, yes, but the RSX has access to the main memory if needed. While 512MB does seem like a rather low ceiling for both machines, optomization from developers has given good results.
preciousdeath @ Oct 12th 2007 6:10PM
At least the PS3 can cache to the HDD, that could help the memory problem. They can't require the 360 version to because not all have HDDs. Advantage PS3 again.
Rainbow 6 was also a very nice port, but SC : Double Agent sucked.
Thoas @ Oct 12th 2007 6:16PM
AC has to be one of the more overrated games coming out multi platform this year. To me the only sandbox game I've seen that looks remotely promising is Infamous which is a ps3 exclusive game made with cell and blu-ray in mind.
Extinction @ Oct 12th 2007 10:36PM
"Therefore devs never have access to more than 256MB of RAM to use in any one application now do they? "
Nope. Both banks of RAM show up on the same 64 bit memory address scheme. Both processors have access to both banks of RAM. Sony's own documents quote it as being a unified system.
PS3s OS (as of 1.80) takes up 48 MB of RAM, 360s takes 32 MB. Both originally took 64 MB. PS3 also reserves 24 MB of VRAM for the framebuffer, 360 reserves an unknown amount whenever the game runs at 720p or higher since the 10 MB of EDRAM is insufficient for 720p.
Also, shared memory means lower throughput. As the bandwidth is now divided. So 360s single bank of ram is a bottleneck. Splitting it up (like PS3, PSP, PS2, PS1, PC, etc) do is an advantage resulting in higher overall bandwidth.
"you sony fanboys make me sick"
you make me sick.
chris ciancanelli @ Oct 12th 2007 9:01PM
wasn't this game initially developed for the PS3? I mean, it was originally an "exclusive" so shouldn't it have been developed initially on the PS3? Or was Ubi pulling our tails the entire time, and the rumors of it running on 360's at the first showings true?
ryano @ Oct 12th 2007 9:49PM
i've heard all the bad from this game is stemming from the combat. it's too difficult and complicated and just plain doesn't look very cool.
ZombieOrgasm @ Oct 13th 2007 3:31PM
We don't need 8 languages on a region-locked system.
End of Argument, it can easily be put on one DVD.
Andy @ Oct 13th 2007 4:39PM
Friendly advice to everyone, DO NOT WATCH ANY UNCHARTED DRAKES FORTUNE FOOTAGE AND THEN WATCH ASSASSINS CREED.
Trust me, just don't!
How about having extra content on the PS3 version (bigger maps) and better AI on the 360 version?
Ray @ Oct 16th 2007 8:38PM
Yes, the ps3 games are definitely going to look prettier than the games on any other console. Definitely. Though the problem with that is...
I don't get what's so god damn great that everyone has to brag about...
Ok, sure you notice the difference when you're eye balls are practically attached to the screen and play you're game.
I'm pretty sure the Wii isn't kicking the other console's asses by having omega graphics, lighting and resolution.
Abyssal @ Oct 19th 2007 7:39PM
Im going to have to buy the 360 version instead because the 360 will out perform the ps3 with the ai department, the memory issue with the ps3 is another bullet in ps3s foot, developers are going to make ps3 look very bad in future games and i dont want to watch ps3 get beat down again
kentuckyfried @ Oct 25th 2007 12:33AM
@26
The original version of MGS3 was longer, Pierce? It was shaved down to fit onto a single dvd?
That would be a bummer. I liked mgs3, but I felt that it didn't live up to any of the trailers, in terms of re-creating a sense of "jungle survival."
kentuckyfried @ Oct 25th 2007 12:32AM
I just threw down $5 for the ps3 AC pre-order at gamestop. hello, limited edition art book!
I just hope it doesn't end up sucking so that I'm forced to return it and buy the Xbox version.
Agent-G @ Nov 21st 2007 9:57AM
Originally posted by jbld50:
Im going to keep this post goin, this petition is getting bigger every min.
To all the people that are not happy with the problems they are having with this game please sign this petition to motivate ubisoft to fix these problems>> http://www.petitiononline.com/acub2007/petition.html
Everyone who is having the screen tearing problem ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Page_tearing )
need to post on this thread, ( http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5251069024/m/1421044016 ) I would like to hear what ubisoft is going to do to fix this other problem. SIGNED Agent-G Please do it for us Consumers and Gamers. Thanks
DishOutTheCake @ Dec 3rd 2007 6:04PM
I just bought assassins creed for the xbox 360 and i cant play it, it freezes everytime at different stages in the tutorial but never past the tutorial, i dont want to encourage hate for the xbox but f*** !! it cost alot of money and im so pissed off.