Developers affirm undeniable potential of PS3

by Nick Doerr { Jan 4th 2008 at 12:45PM }

A lot of things have been said about the PlayStation 3's potential, so it's hard to believe there's still something left to discuss. Games Radar has found something, though. Many developers have come to a consensus that 2008 will see the sexy black behemoth flourish -- Insomniac says that "the amount of action we're able to put on the screen at 60 frames per second dwarfs what we were able to do a year ago at 30 frames per second." Epic Games says user-created content will rule 2008 ... with Unreal Tournament 3 and LittleBigPlanet, we have to agree.

Traveller's Tales, the folk behind the LEGO Star Wars games, said that the secret to the PS3's potential lies in the flexibility of the SPU's: "The SPUs challenge us to come up with completely new tech ideas and to develop new features around them ... It might turn out that things we've not even thought of end up best demonstrating the power of PS3." This goes hand-in-hand with Bethesda's claim that no title is utilizing the PS3's potential even close to fully. Stuff like lighting effects will improve drastically in the coming years as people come to grips with the PS3's architecture.

There are other quotes from bigwigs in the industry, commenting on the PS3, but we'd rather point you to them instead of typing them all here. Let it be known that the PS3 has far more left to offer us than we can imagine and as long as developers keep making games, we'll continue to be impressed with what we see for several more years.

Tags: bethesda, insomniac, sony, traveller's-tales

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Draco @ Jan 4th 2008 1:32PM

why are there no comments here?

I wanted to read some. :(

Jeebus @ Jan 4th 2008 1:37PM

Here's one. You're welcome.

eugene @ Jan 4th 2008 1:52PM

Well, like my high school english professor used to say, potential isn't worth a bucket of spit in the hot texas sun. I added that last part.

We've been talked to death about how great and powerful the wizard of oz... err... the PS3 is, so let's see it already. And I don't mean "just as good" as the other guy.

slaystench @ Jan 4th 2008 2:31PM

Well seeing as how the PS2 was the EXACT same way. I never doubted the potential of the PS3.

alienclays @ Jan 4th 2008 1:58PM

let me add a real one to stir the xbox fans,

isn't it interesting that while the 360 has been out for a year longer and is close enough to a pc to be able to use similar code techniques, that the graphics on the system as a whole are comparable multiplatform, and only occasionally beat the ps3 out using lots of AA. even the flagship title halo 3 isn't in HD while gran tourismo and a slew of others are set to be running 1080p/60.

on another note, how is toshiba/sony doing with using cell in other applications? seeing it's power demonstrated in distribited and locally shared computing applications, when will we see a cell powered supercomputer a la deep blue or a massive 40ps3 array show that it can do more than just games? maybe something like real time 3d/4d cat scans or something...

Justin @ Jan 4th 2008 7:55PM

Toshiba was doing close-to-real-time CT scans using a PS2 processor array.

Normo @ Jan 4th 2008 2:04PM

Eugene I forgot you must be the master of everything, you must be the best at everything when it first comes out.

People need to work on the software, etc for many months / years before they are fully aware of all the features, etc. You cant be the best when you have never used it before.

I can see 2009 being the year of PS3 when developers have had enough time to use and develope new engines, etc

eugene @ Jan 4th 2008 3:12PM

Defensive much? i said the PS3 looks "as good as" the 360 now and the 360 has had an extra year for developers to figure things out.

I'm only stating that we've been hearing about how great the PS3 would be, how it bury the 360 how its hardware is so much better. And that when consumers saw all the technological advantages, that they would flock to the PS3. Do you know where I heard this argument before? With the original xbox fanboys.

The xbox had superior graphics and online capabilities as well as an integrated HDD. But it didn't matter, PS2 had better games, a bigger base and more community. And now, the roles are reversed, the 360 has the community and the games and it's the one behind the technology curve. And the PS3 fanboys are the ones playing the elitest technology card...

Meanwhile, the Wii is ruling with graphics that are only marginally better than the PS2.

So all this talk of what system can do what, lighting effects, texture maps, blah blah blah, all means nothing without compelling software.

JaseH @ Jan 5th 2008 11:02AM

@Eugene -

_________________________________________
"The xbox had superior graphics and online capabilities as well as an integrated HDD. But it didn't matter, PS2 had better games, a bigger base and more community. And now, the roles are reversed, the 360 has the community and the games and it's the one behind the technology curve. And the PS3 fanboys are the ones playing the elitest technology card... "
_________________________________________

Well.

The Xbox might have had the superior technology when up against the PS2... and yes, even with that, it lost the competition during the last-gen. Yes it did come out AFTER the PS2...

But you see, it failed, because it just wasn't all that great at the time, it just wasn't appealing.

The PS2 actually came out AFTER the last DREAMCAST... it had SUPERIOR Technology, it had a less of a fanbase as the Dreamcast did, less games... it was alot more EXPENSIVE than the Dreamcast as well... I could go on.

And guess what? It came 1st, game companies turned over... it abolished Sega as a console company. Basically 'overcame' all those early struggles in the end... struggles that resemble the ones the PS3 went through last year & mildly going through right now.

So you can compare all you want, but to be honest, the PS2 had it both ways, and won. You can't just tack on the failure of the Xbox as the reason for your OPINION as to why the PS3 is mirroring the same fate...

... and leave out the Failure of the inferior-to-the-PS2 Dreamcast, with it's HUGE fanbase, and stacks of games, early release & less expensive price tag...

Oh I know why you would... because you're just blinded by your fanboyness :]

People are so ignorant these days, I tell ya.

________________________________________
JaseH.

watcher @ Jan 4th 2008 2:17PM

I agree with Eugene, just not the spit analogy...

This is a new year for these developers and Sony to back up their claims on the PS3's potential and turn it into raw results.

This can be accomplished by:

1. Improving PSN and online game availability.
2. Find ways to work with developers in order to release quality games on time that utilizes the strengths of the PS3 with fewer bugs.

3. Improving and consolidating communication between PS3 divisions worldwide.

4. Improving communication between Sony's gaming divisions and its respective region customers.

Potential is one of those words people use to describe someone or something that's less than the best. If Sony believes it can relive the glory days of the PS2 with the PS3 it has to work smart and hard to get there.

baby sea tuna @ Jan 4th 2008 2:26PM

Yeah, it was obvious that their plan from the outset was to coast on the success of their previous console (hence all the arrogant-ass Krazy Kutaragi quotes,) and the marketplace has proven that it's not going to work that way this time around.

I just hope this sumbitch lives up to all this
"potential" talk we've been getting crammed down our throats for the past year. Getting burned on the Wii is one this, getting burned on this expensive-ass piece of tech is a whole nother animal.

never$$hort @ Jan 4th 2008 3:06PM

Only 360 fanboy tools think the PS3 is running at its full potential as it is now... Anyone with half a brain cell would know otherwise. All you have to do is look at Playstation history books to know this, and yes history DOES repeat itself.

Twelve @ Jan 4th 2008 3:30PM

Hey! Finally a post that makes you all seem like real genuine fanboys. Keep it up! I'm loving it!

The whole idea of a console giving us something more than "we can imagine" might have seemed like a stretch in the last gen. But it's seriously the truth with the PS3. Eye of Judgment is an example of a game in which I really didn't even see it coming.

Hey, give props to Nintendo where props are due: they were broke and managed to put together a console that is a fad like Harry Potter. It's hard to plan for that or compete against that.

While Sony should definitely try to reach out to the casual fanbase (and there are plenty of casual games on the PS3, 2, and P), all Sony really has to do is beat the 360. And they are doing that already in overall worldwide sales and clear victory in 2/3 of the major regions.

I can't see the Wii maintaining its rate of popularity, especially since the PS3 has already managed to outsell it one month during Japan. The deepness and last-a-bility of the PS3, as affirmed by these developers, should certainly win out in the end, outlasting head-starts and fads.

12

comtar @ Jan 4th 2008 6:27PM

My friend downloaded the dead original Warhawk from the PSN. Oh my god that game looks like a 20 year old PC game. When you compare that game to the final PS1 games, it's like a whole new system. Same thing happened with the PS2 games, as well as SNES and Gamecube. Japanesse consoles has a strange life of the starting games looking nothing like the ending games... but in all honesty, so far with the X-box, the starting X-box games look alot like the final X-box games.

I'm not sure why that is, except for the fact the X-box is built around PC hardware. It's like having a PC you can never upgrade, so because of that alot of the games look very similar except for the game engines themselves. A huge example would be the Ninja Gaiden on X-box, vs games like Doom 3 that had to be severly downgraded in order to run properly. While both games had dramatically different engines, both games had about the same performance. Low end engines looked amazing, high end engines had to be downgraded.

Bioshock on 360 is an amazing looking game, but I could see times it did graphic tricks to keep the game running at about 60 fps even at 1080p HDTV. It's not that the game isn't amazing, it is. But it seems like I'm starting to already notice games that use little graphic tricks to make the game run the way it's designed.

Yes, there is a certain level of self improvement in games on X-box and X-box 360 yes, but not to the degree the Japanesse consoles have had in the past. That's all I'm saying. I will be very interested to see how the PS3 games two years from now compare to the ones now. With Metal Gear Solid 4 looking amazing, I remember the vast graphical difference in MGS2 and 3, MGS2 came out near the beginning of the PS2 life span, MGS3 came out near the end.

Haiddasalami @ Jan 4th 2008 4:05PM

Toshiba helps make cell
Toshiba backs HD-DVD
PS3 powered by cell
PS3 helps Blu-Ray in format war

On a side note, any programmer can tell you that there is massive potential in the PS3 but they hate its architecture. Once they get off their asses and start learning how to utilize it will we see the PS3 shine...Unreal Engine shine:P

Andy @ Jan 4th 2008 4:05PM

A youth sports player may be told they have potential. But that doesn't mean that don't have any talent in their current form.

The same goes for PS3. Just because it has potential doesn't mean it has bad looking games right now. I'd be happy if the current games were using the PS3's full potential. Games like Gran Turismo are simply stunning.

emaxximus @ Jan 4th 2008 4:07PM

Have you ever noticed how the 360 fanboys say how much they love XBL and they dont mind paying extra for the better service than the PSN but then they bash the PS3 for being a more expensive system? Even though the PS3 has lots more integrated features and doesnt need to be sent in for warranty claims 4 times a year? I don't have anything against the 360, I can enjoy a video game regardless of what brand name is on the console, but the bottom line is I don't like FPS games and I dont like having to send my system back for repairs. I enjoy having a top of the line peice of hardware and knowing that the software is just going to keep getting better.Sure the 360 and wii are more popular, but I also see a lot more ford tauruses driving around than dodge vipers, know what I mean?

deaftly @ Jan 4th 2008 4:32PM

Clearly you've never even used XBlive if you think the Ps3 integrates its online features better than the 360. EVERYTHING about xblive is integrated into every part of the 360 and its games. Don't be so ignorant next time.

emaxximus @ Jan 4th 2008 4:54PM

Hey deaftly, I said the PS3 has more integrated features, NOT the PSN.

Learn to read and to be so quick to insult...

LOSER! LOL!

emaxximus @ Jan 4th 2008 5:16PM

...Oh yeah and by integrated features I mean wifi, bluetooth, bluray, etc. just in case you were still having trouble grasping the meaning.

ck @ Jan 4th 2008 4:16PM

I'm going to get scragged for this, but can someone please tell me the point of LBP? Aside from making your own content, or downloading someone else's content, where's the gameplay?

What do you do? Are there points? Is it a race? How do you win?

No, this isn't a troll, and I'm going to grab it when it comes out and build the shit out of something, but from what I've seen so far there's no actual gameplay in this game.

Hyams @ Jan 4th 2008 6:04PM

It's a 2D, side scrolling platformer, with an emphasis on physics based puzzles and gameplay. There are enemies too, in case you're wondering.

Apparently it's possible for user to make games in other (presumably similiar) genres, although I can't really see how.

ck @ Jan 4th 2008 6:23PM

Yes, I get that, but there needs to be some compelling reason why you'd want to get to the end of each level, otherwise why are you playing and not just building crazy stuff?

aMIGA_dUDE @ Jan 4th 2008 4:21PM

Keep watch on how people with Linux push SPU. This where things start to get interesting, do not be surprise if some Open Source spark writes a good software engine.

Also worth remembering how Other OS developers are handicapped with SPU & GPU.

Konchu @ Jan 4th 2008 4:35PM

I would rather see the games than hear talks of potential. On many of the earlier games they used potential as an excuse. For instance saying this game isn't using 20% of the cell. This is ok to say when the game is better than the competition cause that is insult to injury but not when they are identical or better on the other.

I personally look forward to what they will be able to achieve on the system. But we dont need to be making arguments like the PS3 is a Viper and the 360 is a Taurus I would be pissed if I bought a Viper that the gas pedel was extremely difficult to push down past 20-30%. A more fair example would be to say the PS3 is a Lexus pimped out with extras but the stage 3 turbo and modified exahast is still sitting in the shop yet to be used. All hardware gets better with time though the 360 will as well. But as a gamer I hope Sony can tap the system 100% and make some amazing games.

Murry @ Jan 4th 2008 5:11PM

@ deaftly- emaxximus was talking about the integrated features built into the PS3 such as Blu-Ray, wireless network adaptor, a web browser. You need to buy a HD-DVD add on, you also have to buy a wireless adapter for the X Box.
You need read peoples posts before you start trashing them or all you do is look like an ignorant Xbot.

emaxximus @ Jan 4th 2008 5:19PM

A viper at 30% throttle would still beat a taurus. LOL
Just joking, your point is well taken.

secret @ Jan 4th 2008 5:21PM

For all the xbox360 owners in this PS3 room, please take a look at these two videos about your system:

1) http://youtube.com/watch?v=peNvl4WYuGc
2) http://youtube.com/watch?v=H2GMPmWADhs

Thank you.

secret @ Jan 4th 2008 5:45PM

To all the xbox360 owners, all the developers claim unmatched, unrivaled power in the PS3. A couple of them say that they've tapped only about 20-30% of the consoles power. And with that, they've already created games that either match the xbox360's graphics or surpassed it technically and clearly, as with Motorstorm, Resistance, Heavenly Sword, Uncharted, adn Ratchet. These games show one main difference between the PS3 and the Cell lacking xbox360 hardware -- the unbelievable amount of objects moving around on screen at any given time. When have you seen more than a hundred or a thousand enemies flocking you on screen with dirt, bullets, smoke, and debris swarming all over the screen at one time in an xbox360 game? NEVER...!!! And there's a reason for that. There's also a reason why most xbox360 games that are "famous" tend to be dark and gritty and/or short in game length. It's because the system CAN'T do games like Uncharted or Ratchet or Motorstorm. They're restrained in the type of games they can make.

Here's my question: What percentag of the xbox360's power have the developers tapped so far after almost two or three years in its existence?

Realize that as the xbox360 add more hardware, upgrades, and new SKU's to catch up with the PS3, you'll just adding more and more cost to the consumer. On the other hand, while your adding costs updating or upgrading your xbox brand to catch up with the PS3, the PS3 will continually show more and more of its powers as developers learn more about the Cell processor and Sony learns how to produce the PS3 at a lower cost.

So, please xbox360 owners, don't give us any more advice on why we should buy the xbox360 instead. Right. Smart people should be the ones giving out advice. Not the other way around.

By the way, I'm not missing the xbox360 at all. From my point of view, the PS3 is emulating almost every game that's worth playing on the xbox360 fairly well. And I can get Gears, Bioshock, Halo, and eventually Mass Effect on the PC., but I won't because I don't like those games.

===============================
Comments for the xbox360 owners on multiports. Please answer my question below:
===============================
And who cares about multiports, they're all lacking compared to the PS3 exclusives, even when the ports are identical.

But, in any case, I don't expect ports to be identical to the xbox360 in the same way that I don't expect every PS2, PS1 game "emulated" onto the PS3 through backwards compatibility to be without hiccups.

Ratchet & Clank 1 and 2 for the PS2, for instance, have framerate issues when playing on the PS3. These two games either slow down or stutter pretty badly when you play them on the PS3 through backwards compatibility.

To all you xbox360 owners, does thta mean that the PS2 is more powerful than the PS3?

Thank you.

Justin @ Jan 4th 2008 8:01PM

I think people forget really quickly. This is the first year for most publishers to be working on the PS3. Regardless of there already being development on the 360, when you transition to new hardware, there is always a bump, and the PS3 had some performance issues this year. I think you will definitely notice much smoother gameplay on the PS3 this year coming from all developers, with the tenured companies (Insomniac and EA) seeing vast improvements. Year 3 will likely be the kicker for the PS3. Don't forget that year 1 360 games were not very pretty and had some major performance flaws.