CryENGINE 2 port 'challenging' on PS3, but will look like high-end PC
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Apr 8th 2008 at 1:30PM }
Harald Seeley, Engine Business Manager for CryTek, said "there is no doubt that porting our engine to the PlayStation 3 is the more challenging of our two ongoing conversion projects [Xbox 360 and PS3]." However, that isn't necessarily a bad thing: "that works to our advantage in the end. We feel certain we have the ability to get the most that is possible out of that platform, and therefore PS3 games which run on our engine in the future will definitely stand significantly apart from other games that don't."
While we still haven't seen footage running on a PS3, Seeley is confident that the engine will look like nothing else on consoles so far. "We expect the final outcome will result in games that look like they're running at high settings, or nearly high settings, on a PC." We'd love to see what CryTek is capable of pulling off.
[Via Digg]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
LJ @ Apr 8th 2008 1:58PM
Maybe i read this wrong.. but he is actually saying that the PS3 is better than the rest? Well.. we knew that already.
Hala Madrid!!! (You fail to impress me with your skillz) @ Apr 8th 2008 2:51PM
Dude why start a flame on this?
The CryEngine will look beautiful in both consoles
just like the Unreal engine does
LJ @ Apr 8th 2008 3:12PM
OK.. my bad. I got a 360 fanboy right next to me at work... God!! he is annoying.. i was just releasing some anger.
Nate @ Apr 8th 2008 4:00PM
No, they said games that run the CryEngine will look better than those that don't. They didn't compare 360 and PS3 directly (the interviewer asked the question, but that's not the question he answered).
fersis @ Apr 9th 2008 6:58AM
im not talking about graphics , the GPU on the 360 is more powerfull than the RSX on the PS3.
BUT if you use the CELL to help RSX on the render pipeline you can get quality graphics. ie. Killzone2 uses CELL on his render pipeline.
Any way ,im sorry if my post was mis interpreted.
I like my ps3 more than xbox360 thats enough for me.
cheers
Sly @ Apr 9th 2008 10:06PM
> Maybe i read this wrong.. but he is actually saying that the
> PS3 is better than the rest?
"CryENGINE 2 port '***challenging***' on PS3"
Yep you did read it completely wrong. He's actually saying it's a lot harder to get everything the engine does on PC and X360 on the PS3, but that they'll still try their best. And that given that they're doing the effort, customers' games will look better than other PS3 games as the hard work won't be to be redone.
> Since cryengine 2 is built with DirectX stuff, so they had to
> port it to OpenGL.
OpenGL and D3D are very similar. And using OpenGL on PS3 is suicidal.
LJ @ Apr 9th 2008 11:44PM
@SLY
*Sounder Beacon* FANBOY ALERT!
Foolish comments.. please do not reply to my comments.. go back to 360fanboy.
fersis @ Apr 8th 2008 2:08PM
its obvious that porting the engine is to ps3 is harder.
Since cryengine 2 is built with DirectX stuff, so they had to port it to OpenGL.
At the end of the day, the powerfull multi threading of the PS3 is more capable than any other console in the market.
you just have to know how to program it.
Zeus.:God @ Apr 8th 2008 6:25PM
Eh... Not to get into an argument, but your post really isn't true.
Both consoles are pretty much on an even playing field in the long run, as far as graphics go, and the Cell isn't THAT much more powerful than the Xenon, considering it processes complex code roughly 10% better in perfect situations- which, really, you could argue that the Xenon is more powerful, considering it has 3 actual cores and can process the code that makes up a vast majority of a game, faster.
Either way, both consoles are good and will have really good looking games on both.
el serpiente @ Apr 8th 2008 8:06PM
Eh...Zeus, no one cares about your make-believe stories.
Zeus.:God @ Apr 8th 2008 8:37PM
Its only make believe to the ignorant, as you so clearly are.
mattwillis4 @ Apr 8th 2008 2:53PM
Meh, I already have a PC that runs it at Very High with no problems. And it runs Ultra very nicely still. The fact the PS3 will be able to run it at "Near High" settings is really nothing special honestly. This just proves again that PC is still king.
eugene @ Apr 8th 2008 2:58PM
gee, your multi thousand dollar gaming PC is more capable than my 400 dollar console? Good for you, I'm happy for you.
mattwillis4 @ Apr 8th 2008 3:16PM
Actually, I only spent about $1500 for the entire box. People just got to know how to find crazy deals. I got 2 BFG 8800GTX OC's for $500. Q6600 with Mobo and Vista Ultimate for $239. So multi thousand = no. 1.5, yes. But I also have a launch 60GB PS3, and I still play my PC more, mainly beuase the gaming experience is better on a PC for FPS and RTS games.
I'm not saying console don't have any games that don't appeal to me... PCs just do it better in most cases. I use my PS3 mainly to watch Blu-Ray movies. I use it and my Wii mainly for parties and such... although I actually play the Wii more for single player games because the PS3 and my PC have almost the same games.
eugene @ Apr 8th 2008 3:39PM
1500 versus 400... yeah, you got me there.
Nonhippyhippy @ Apr 8th 2008 3:46PM
id like you to point out to me where "ultra" mode is on crysis, last time i checked it only goes up to very high... and two 8800 GTX's.. so is nicely on very high about 10 FPS? cos at any sort of decent resolution those could not handle very high, seeing as triple SLI 8800 ultras could only get 35 FPS.. with slowdown to about 14...
Noshino @ Apr 8th 2008 3:50PM
"although I actually play the Wii more for single player games because the PS3 and my PC have almost the same games."
Damn, I still can't find the PC version of Uncharted, R&C, Warhawk, Resistance, Motorstorm, Heavenly Sword...
PS3 and PC almost the same games? multiplatform games maybe, but all of PS3's exclusives are, well, PS3 exclusives...
LJ @ Apr 8th 2008 4:06PM
I think he meant games that appeal to him, cut the guy some slack..
Chris @ Apr 8th 2008 6:01PM
I get 20fps on very high mode using one 8800gts 612mb. So if he has two then you better believe he can run it at very high with a good frame-rate.
Ysleiro @ Apr 9th 2008 1:13PM
yeah he did get you.
a pc will spank a ps3 as far as getting your money's worth.
Snake @ Apr 8th 2008 3:20PM
@ mattwillis4
Serious how much did you pay for your "Very High" PC. Compared to the PS3 i'm pretty sure the price doesn't compare. PC gaming is dying and it makes no money for developers get over it.
Ysleiro @ Apr 9th 2008 1:18PM
pc gaming isn't dead.
if you look at the industry consoles are evolving into PCs
in the near future is it too crazy to imagine a pc that handles all your media (music, videos, downloads, internet, reading, gaming), house temperature, to do list, fridge temp, cooking timers, reminders, house alarm, video phone calls, sex ? LOLz.. etc..
most of the processes I mentioned above can already be done with multiple devices. I see this happening in the next 10 years. PCs will be the platform that will marry all of these features because you will need a good operating system and the right type of networking.
Scutt Farkas @ Apr 8th 2008 3:35PM
everyone shut up about multithousand dollar computers. you have NO IDEA what you are talking about. i hate that shit. the 8800 gts is 114.99 on newegg. you can get a core2duo 45 nm 2.5 ghz for 199 on newegg too. those 2 components right there turn your pc into a sick gaming pc. you are all idiots. good lord. with those two components, its under 1000 to build the entire pc. and those are 2 HIGH END components. idiots. it ISNT thousands of dollars, its not 2003 anymore.
Twinturbo120 @ Apr 8th 2008 3:45PM
actually dual-cores are starting to hit the ground its all gonna be about QUADS and most ppl dont know how to OC a CPU or GPU and btw those are just 2 components and so what if its under $1000? its more than $400 isnt it? decides u have to constantly be upgrading the GPU and sometimes even the CPU if ur comp cant handle newer games. on a console u DONT have to upgrade anything its just firmware updates ;)
LJ @ Apr 8th 2008 4:06PM
And they are free...
G-MAN74 @ Apr 8th 2008 4:01PM
I may be crazy but I prefer playing games on my 65 inch HDTV with 7.1 surround sound vs a 20 inch monitor and computer speakers any day.
Ysleiro @ Apr 9th 2008 1:29PM
My friend i'm not here to insult you but come on man think !!!
do you really think that a decent rig won't have an dvi or hdmi connection in the back to plug into your 65 inch expensive tv?
or maybe you got jerked and your 65 inch tv doesn't come with hdmi?
G-MAN74 @ Apr 9th 2008 2:51PM
I'm just saying what I prefer. I really could care less about your set up. I guess you are a bigger geek than I am. Congrats!
eugene @ Apr 8th 2008 4:05PM
wow, good for you. Only I use a laptop. So what will 300 dollars worth of crap from newegg do for me? nothing.
I would need to add a case, powersupply, some ram, an OS, a HDD, a DVD drive, a keyboard and a mouse and DVI to HDMI cable or a monitor.
yeah... all so much easier than buying a console and pluging it into my TV. You got me there mr smartypants.
Nate @ Apr 8th 2008 3:57PM
I like how when people say their machine runs Crysis on very high they don't mention the resolution they're running at nor the framerate they're getting. My 2 year old machine can run cryisis on very high.... at 640x480 and 10 frames per second.
The fact of the matter is, even dual 8800GTX's can't run crysis on very high at HD resolutions.
McMupp @ Apr 8th 2008 4:35PM
Actually it is possible to run Crysis at Very High@1024x768 with dual 8800GTX's(maybe even one) with decent framerate.
The trick is to have some luck. :)
People have tried almost identical systems that gives exrtemely different results. Some people have even tried Tri-SLi and failed.
But I agree with that it's kinda annoying when people don't add their screen resolution when they write about how exellent their PC can run Crysis. Also, there's no "Very High" setting for AA.
Zeus.:God @ Apr 8th 2008 6:30PM
I have an 8800GT and an E6750 with 2GB of OCZ Reaper RAM and can run all High (not Very High) settings at 1680x1050 at 30-40 frames on average, with performance dips... However, the game looks REALLY good even at all High.
el serpiente @ Apr 8th 2008 8:12PM
OH YEAH?!? I have an 88,000GT and an PP6969 with 10GB of TNT Date Raper RAM and can run all Very High settings at 1900x1200 at 120 frames on average, without performance dips... Mine looks even better than yours, fool.
Zeus.:God @ Apr 8th 2008 8:38PM
Now, now, Serpiente, no need to get mad because you're little brain can't handle facts that don't agree with your views.
el serpiente @ Apr 8th 2008 9:06PM
Well, the point of my sarcasm, Zeus, is that there is nothing sadder than custom-built PC dick-measuring. Read it again, maybe you'll pick up on it the second time around.
Zeus.:God @ Apr 9th 2008 12:10AM
It was obviously sarcastic- I've known that from the start, but ya' see, the thing is, is you're going on some sort of tangent against me because you don't agree with the little facts I posted about the Cell and the Xenon on the previous page.
Also, this isn't a "dick-measuring", its a proof of concept- my mid-line PC can play Crysis fine at nearly the highest settings.
I mentioned it earlier; I'll say it again- try thinking before posting.
railven @ Apr 8th 2008 4:21PM
Hehe, Crysis on High is still killing PCs, you guys read the reviews for the 9800 GX2, and even SLI 9800GX2+9800GTX, and still at 2560x1600 the game devours the cards.
Anyways, I just wanted to say - I play my Gaming PC Rig on my 52" Sharp Aquos, it's hooked up the same way my PS3 is - HDMI.
DVI-to-HDMI cables are dirt cheap, and easy to use. 20" monitor eh? Hehe.
Devin @ Apr 8th 2008 5:20PM
Will the PS3 version support Mouse + Keyboard like UT3 did?
Devin @ Apr 8th 2008 5:45PM
what I meant was, will Crysis support M+K like UT3?
Taowolf51 @ Apr 8th 2008 6:40PM
Well, everyone seems to be mad at those who don't post resolutions and framerates when talking about how well their system runs Crysis.
I will, however, and I have to say, the game isn't as hard to max out as people say it is.
I will give the basic specs for my 2 systems that run Crysis, and how well it runs.
First system:
Desktop
Windows Vista Ultimate
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 @ 2.4Ghz
BFG 8800GTX OC2
2gb 1066Mhz RAM
How does it run Crysis? Max (everything at very high settings), at 1680x1050 with about 25-30 FPS (I would get more if I updated my drivers lol). It is absolutely playable, and because of the process layering, and the motion blur, it is possible for this game to be smooth at 20FPS, surprisingly. It looks spectacular, and with the proper configs and TOD files, you can get the game looking infinitely better then very high settings, with no performance difference (or very little).
Second system:
Laptop
Windows Vista Home Premium
Intel Core 2 Duo T7800 @ 2.6Ghz
nVidia Geforce 8800m GTX
2gb 800Mhz RAM
How's it run? MAX! 1440x900. Yes, my laptop is fully capable of maxing out Crysis at it's native resolution (which is still larger then the res most PS3 games run at, and all 360 games run at). It is smooth, and it is great. I also use configs and TODs on this one as well.
The game isn't that hard to max out, people are over exaggerating the requirements of this game.
Oh, an I would like to add that I also have a PS3, 360, and a Wii, and are very big fans of them all. I am just commenting on the very common misconception that it is near impossible to max Crysis out, which is very far from the truth.
I would say $1200 could buy a PC that could max out Crysis, and a nice monitor to go along with it, which is surprisingly cheaper then a console and an HDTV.
PC gaming used to be very expensive, but it has really gotten cheap.
Oh, and also those PCs can max out games like UT3, GOWPC, Bioshock, and others at over 120FPS.
Zeus.:God @ Apr 8th 2008 6:52PM
I agree with you entirely...
Popfrogs @ Apr 8th 2008 7:05PM
1. Nobody cares and 2. PC gaming is dying. I know you'll deny it but when CNN and MSNBC start paying attention and run articles on it, it just might be true. Crysis sold pathetically and is already deeply discounted.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23800152/ for starters.
eugene @ Apr 8th 2008 7:21PM
that's nice.
Taowolf51 @ Apr 8th 2008 7:32PM
Thank you for the immature comments, that basically voids your credibility right there.
So your saying Crysis sold badly? I'm not so sure of that. Crysis went platinum (over 1,000,000 copies sold) within a few weeks of it's release, and it continues to grow very quickly.
What's funny, is that a week before that, there was an article stating that Crysis sold only 80,000 copies. Though what you had to dig to find, was that it was only US sales, and they didn't include digital distribution.
PC games are much more popular in other countries besides the US, and that is where they make most of their money. Also, digital distribution accounts for a very very high percentage of game sales, yet it is completely absent in all sales averages.
PC gaming is not dead at all. When looking at per year sales, PC gaming gets about 2 billion, while the consoles get about 12 billion. Only thing, is that they count all 13 consoles in one group. When you look at averages of individual consoles, PC games are right up there.
Let's take a look at CSS, or Counter Strike: Source. The game averaged the same amount of hours per month as Halo 2 did in its entire lifetime. Also, more people played the original Counter Strike then there were copies sold of Halo 1, Halo 2, and Halo 3 combined. All the while, people were saying PC gaming was dieing. (Oh, and BTW, dying is like "dying a shirt blue".)
Oh, and that article made me laugh.
First off, yes, most PC games are going to the 360, but most 360 games are going to the PC as well. In fact, it is a similar percentage. It's something Microsoft has been trying to do for awhile.
Oh, and those "little stands" with PC games? Sure, that is gamestop. Funnily enough, my local Best Buy's PC game section is larger then an entire Gamestop, and larger then the console sections at the Best Buy as well.
I would like to ask. How long have people been saying "PC gaming is dead"? It's just a misguided perception, to be honest.
Zeus.:God @ Apr 8th 2008 8:43PM
Again, Tao, I agree with you- only I'm not sure on Crysis selling 1 million... Also, dieing has to do with machine stamping and metal-press cutting. He had it right in the spelling with "dying"- however, I wouldn't listen to him... Many of the people who visit these sites (Engadget, Joystiq, Xbox 360 Fanboy, PS3 Fanboy, and such) are ignorant little fools who have yet to research a single topic they are trying to "debate" (hardly debating with their immature tactics and horrid reasoning skills).
The only relatively clear site of this Weblogs ring is AutoBlog...
Wolf @ Apr 8th 2008 8:53PM
Yep, Crysis sold a million early February.
Actually, since it was written on February first, it would be more accurate to say they hit the 1 million mark in January:
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/crysis-goes-platinum/
Wolf @ Apr 8th 2008 8:55PM
Strange, it seems my name has changed from Taowolf51 to just Wolf...
Time @ Apr 8th 2008 7:50PM
Hasn't any one noticed that when ever a developer says something nice about the ps3 or whatever almost no one talks about it other then this site and a few others. I mean joystiq and kotaku and the other big players say nothing.
is it me or does this seem to be happening more often, (bash the ps3 whenever possible, but when something postive happens remain silent)
but they waste no time to report when a developer bash the ps3 and praise the other consoles?..but when the opposite happens every one is silent?.
.for the record I really don't care too much about the console wars..it just annoys me when some of the most blind, loyaly, hypocritical people in the gaming world points their fingers to ps3 owners and call us the real "fanboys"
Taowolf51 @ Apr 8th 2008 8:03PM
Your right about that, actually.
I remember before I got a PS3, I just heard bad things about it, but the people who owned one loved it. And when I got mine, I love it as well. The quality of the constrution, the ease of the menu, and performance, stability, and the great games are things that aren't spoken much of.
The only good thing I have heard from Joystiq about the PS3 is when EA (and everyone else) said that 2008 was the PS3's year.
Ysleiro @ Apr 9th 2008 2:06PM
I belive Joystiq owns PS3 Fanboy and Xbox 360 Fanboy.
And I have noticed that Joystiq reports more on a general basis where as PS3F and XB3F report on a specific basis.