Sony admits struggle in getting third party support

by Nick Doerr { Jun 22nd 2008 at 9:30PM }

It's a pretty established and unfortunate fact that the PS3 hasn't secured many third-party exclusive games. Multi-platform third-party titles tend to be rough ports or aggravatingly delayed. Shuhei Yoshida has acknowledged this fact and let out a cry to third-party developers: "It's impossible to bring the level of support that we feel is important for the PlayStation 3 platform without the third parties' continued support." He also said that, sometimes, "we struggle to convince them to put more resources into the PS3."

While admitting a problem is the first step to resolving it and moving on to your next addiction, we'd love to hear a little more about what Yoshida and Sony plan to do in regards to the third-party developers' fears of putting more of their eggs into the Sony basket. It's the cutest basket, after all. Made of sturdy wicker so it doesn't break ... aesthetically pleasing ... it compliments eggs really well. Do you think Sony should dole out some cash for exclusives, or more dev tools to show these guys and gals that it might not be so hard to program on the PS3 once you get your hands inside its shell?

Tags: shuhei-yoshida

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Luis @ Jun 22nd 2008 9:49PM

I've read that it's really hard to code for the cell processor. This is why many third party developers are very wary of both the economical and technological costs.

MexicanTerrorist @ Jun 22nd 2008 9:45PM

I think that Sony should use a combination of money and persuasion to secure third-party support.
Of course, money is an easy way to go when all else fails, but the developers really need to start seeing what happens when they really start tapping the PS3's power. They need to start looking at games like MGS4, Uncharted, and Insomniac's games to see that the PS3 has loads of power and possibility that they aren't using properly.
Or maybe Sony should just throw a gajillion dollars at every single developer.

Fraser JK @ Jun 22nd 2008 9:46PM

Not too fussed about exclusives, except for MGS4 and FFXIII of course being the reason I bought the thing (PS3) in the first place.

But I think they should worry about making development on the PS3 as efficient and rewarding as possible. Using what their first party developers have learned, example Naughty Dog's Uncharted's development cycle for instance, and spreading that to other developers so they too can get the support and technical-know-how to achieve awesome results on the PS3!

As long as developers make good quality games am happy, I just want to play them on my console of choice!

BLee @ Jun 22nd 2008 10:02PM

I never understood the "we dont negotiate with terrorists" mentality that Sony went with when dealing with 3rd party exclusives.. It's a business, and you need to invest in companies to get good products..

Cornerman8 @ Jun 22nd 2008 10:21PM

I say both. Its likely more costly to purchase more established games like GTA4, DMC4, or RE5. But securing them, pretty much guarantees the masses will follow. Of course, funding a new IP and giving them ample time can make the new GTAs, DMC4s, and RE5s of tomorrow. The thing about buying exclusives is you still don't own them. GTA is best associated with the Playstation brand, but just like it has done recently, it can pick up and leave. I think ideas like the Phyre Engine are a good idea. Sony's been burned by the industry's reliance on UE3, and if it had its own engine built specifically for it, it might be able to entice a few devs. Development ease and low costs are some of the reasons studios picked UE3 to begin with. The industry isn't fueled by a desire to reach potential and greater capacity, but rather to maximize profit (not to villainize them, but that's what businesses do). Blu-ray can house loads of content, but whats the incentive to fill it. Sony's 1st party titles will use it, but what motivates 3rd parites? If they're going to ask them to do it, they're going to have to make it as painless and as easy as possible. Take as much work out of it for them. So 1) buy some exclusives as a stop-gap if necessary. 2) Work with Epic and optimize the heck out of UE3. 3) Keep building on the PhyreEngine and carry that philosophy with every new interation of Playstation (PS4, PS5, etc...even PSP). Over time the 1st party games will kick in and Sony's vast network of studios will pump out games, as that happens ease off exclusive purchases and purchase more studios. Sony seemed to be aware that many third parties would make their games multiplatform, I remember them saying so. I think the plan was to make the 1st party games be the "difference" maker. The problem was 3rd parties got bogged down releasing them at the same time due to the PS3 architecture. Meanwhile Sony's 1st party studios weren't in place to fill the gap. Now that the 1st parties are lining up, and third parties have made it over the first hump, hopefully things will smooth out.

jordan @ Jun 22nd 2008 10:30PM

I don't know, I have confidence that the amount of third party exclusives will increase on their own for a few reasons
1. The recient study showing that exclusives sell more on the PS3 then any console
2. The PS3's install base is no longer laughable
3. Becasue Sony will start paying people

Seems like this issue isn't going to be around forever.

Bobby @ Jun 25th 2008 7:32PM

Both!!!

Twinturbo120 @ Jun 22nd 2008 10:40PM

its very simple actually....its just that DEVS ARE TO FUCKING LAZY AND GOT A STICK UP THERE ASS....but anyway they dont see the potential...i mean there's uncharted and mgs just to NAME A FEW.

Supino @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:22PM

First off: I'm so tired of hearing that devs are lazy. That is bullshwat and you know it.

Second: you should have said; just to NAME ALL TWO.

Twinturbo120 @ Jun 24th 2008 8:31AM

really? then what is it? they dont want to work for the PS3? they just dont want to? Maybe because they think it's to hard to do or just dont feel like it. That's called laziness my friend when you don't "feel" like doing something because you just don't want to. So what's there excuse? Money? doubt it. Software? doubt it.

Tetsuhana @ Jun 22nd 2008 10:52PM

The third party situation sure will be a tough egg to crack....................................heh-heh-heh.

held225 @ Jun 22nd 2008 10:54PM

Well 3rd party games have the tendency to suck, and the team is usually made up of 10 people (just look at the Wii 80% of games scored under 6/10). So i wouldn't give them any money Sony would never get it back. If those 3rd party dev. cant figure out how to code for the PS3 that shows how poorly educated these 3rd party dev. are. The best option would be to make a easier PS3 development tool.... and Sony should call it "PS3 development kit for dummies" lol

SharpShooter @ Jun 22nd 2008 11:05PM

That's called shovelware and it doesn't happen too often on the PS3. The reason the wii has so many crap games is because it's easy to develop, costs a low amount, and the crap actually sells. For example, cooking mama has sold over a million copies.

Wes @ Jun 22nd 2008 11:01PM

If you attract gamers through resources within your power, you'll sell more consoles. If you sell more consoles, the games will come from a large install base. Things within Sony's power:

1. First party games. Make lots of them and make them good quality.

2. Make many new innovate features for your console via firmware updates that exceed what the component offers. Try to also match every new feature they add to have over you.

They have started to do this by creating an in-game xmb bar which has been a long-requested feature that the 360 had over the ps3.

There are some other features that could be included like voip using Skype from a ps3 similar to the psp system. Features like using the ps3s cell processors to re-encode 1080p or 720p content to standard defintiion. Possibly standard definition in mp4 for an apple ipod/iphone with easy pre-set templates.

3. Enhance media center and blu-ray playback. The Sony PS3 is still one of the best profile 2.0 blu-ray players and I believe the cheapest 2.0 player.

I could be wrong about the price though though as I couldn't care less about blu-ray standalone players when I think a built in gaming machine, web-surfing, media extender features, etc make the ps3 a much better deal than any standalone.

Some downsides to the blu-ray player features are hardware related. I don't recall the exact specifics but the ps3 lacks the ability to decode one of the high def lossless audio types internally but you can steam it to your receiver using...pcm? and it can decode it for you. Releasing a hardware revision might help. Not a new sku per say, just a slightly better decoder chip so ps3 post say mid 2008 can do every blu-ray audio type decoding.

4. Create a guide on how to install custom ram into a ps3 or include upgradeable ram as an option on future ps3s. Or do a hardware revision to include more ram. More ram might allow pre-caching of content for lesser loading times, less pop-in during games, ram prices are CHEAP. 2Gb can be obtianed for $40.00.

More ram would allow additional applications to run at once in Linux without caching to the hard drive. It would also allow additional os's to possible run such as xp or vista.

Linux support = an ok idea for average home user, great idea for power users.

Windows support = Better idea for the average home user, neat idea for power users. Windows XP could be installed on a ps3 probably with some fuss and it would be supporting your competition a bit but you'd be able to install firefox(also available on linux I know), media player classic, office and some basic applications to create a mini-pc.

Gamers could rationalize their ps3 purchase as useable for homework with office installed.

In regards to the Windows Support on PS3s with additional ram installed by factory or custom installed, Sony could create a windows install dvd for the ps3. It wouldn't be too hard since all hardware should be almost exactly the same and print off 3-4 million copies on cd in one of their pressing factories for $0.05 cents a peice + a thin sleeve/jacket.

Sell it for $9.99 but state on the cover that you must purchase your own product key for activation from ms. (many people might just use their oem product key, but heck, that wouldn't be Sony's fault if we choose to pirate would it?) or give it away for free with the ram-enhanced ps3s or give it away for free period to encourage ps3 adoption rate.

There's a few other things within their power to try to boost hardware sales that they can do independent of third party software. Once the consoles are selling faster, the install base will grow quicker. With a larger install base, more developers will be attracted via potential sales.

On the other hand, if Microsoft reduces their console price from $350 + Halo/Gears of War in Canada as a bundle at some retailers right now to $250 or so and dramatically boost their hardware sales. The exact opposite effect will occur.

The xbox 360's hardware sales will gain a significant lead, developers will include to putting more resources into the larger xbox 360 install base of gamers.

Note: Nintendo was not included in regards to install base as third party sales so far have been a bit questionable and developers might be worried about return of investment despite large install base. See: BloomBox.

VanillaMummy @ Jun 23rd 2008 1:35PM

One of the most intelligent posts I've ever read on here.

Bravo!

Mattchewie @ Jun 22nd 2008 11:42PM

I still say lazy devs. I stick to my "sure its hard to code for, because its different!" Its not like the PS3's os is on a majority of end users laptops, desktops, phones etc etc. So when I see "hard to code for" I see "well, we could learn the ins and outs of the PS3 but turn around time is quicker on the xbox since we are all used to it and we want our money as quick as we can make it just incase the new IP does infact suck".

Sonys not without blame also, they could of been more helping to devs and tossed some cash around.

I think they are coming around a bit though. if MGS doesn't open some eyes, I don't know what will.

Crrato @ Jun 22nd 2008 11:49PM

They should give money to Valve to secure every one of their games on PS3. Valve are the kings of FPS.

tan @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:50AM

don't valve dislike the ps3 though=[?

Popfrogs @ Jun 23rd 2008 12:45PM

Gabe Newell doesn't like anything that can't run Windows. However he does love 24 piece chicken buckets.

Luis @ Jun 23rd 2008 1:08PM

fps on the dualshock, ugh... fps with keyboard and mouse, yes!

bs6268d @ Jun 23rd 2008 12:32AM

They need to just put the money up thats what microsoft does

MCX @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:35PM

Its not all that bad for Ps3... in a way it kind shows quickly when your being lazy dev. .... if you don't do it the right way it will show quickly. And if you do take the necessary steps like Infinity Ward, RockStar North, etc. the results will show.

aMIGA_dUDE @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:19AM

Reduce that rate they charge for disk royalty's to publish a title on PS3.

Also Playstation should start looking at offering cash in the way of advertisting games. Lets say Playstation pays half cost of advertising game. With this they will be able to get them to make a big point that it PS3 game, ie showing PS3 game play video and saying it PS3 being used.

Reducing the price of PS3 developer kit isn't that important. The real cost of employees who use the kit.

aMIGA_dUDE @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:27AM

I should of also said:-
I can not find any public documents form Sony/Playstation about programming the Cell. The only people who I can find that are publishing documents and support in public with the Cell is IBM.

Also Sony/Playstation should offer training and support at a lower rate.

Ryan @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:04AM

I don't really think the problem is "exclusive" games. Personally, I think a good game is a good game... I couldn't care less if the same game comes out for the Wii, 360 and PS3 at the same time. Sub-par quality, mentioned in the article, is a much bigger concern.

You have to realize that not every game company has the sort of budget/dedication that Rockstar might. Most of the time a game is being made by a division of a sub-division of a big company. It has nothing to do with them being to "dumb" to develop for the Playstation, as another poster above me alluded to. If a developer has already made a game for the Wii or 360, they have to see if it's even WORTH it to port over. It's going to take a lot of extra time to bring the game over, so they'll have to wonder if all the extra time spent and money it will cost them will even be worth it. If they look at the demographics and determine they won't turn a decent profit, they'll probably just decide against it.

shay @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:13AM

mgs4 and ffxiii,ffvsxiii those are the most important for them to keep exclusive other then that all they really need are there first party

Christian @ Jun 23rd 2008 6:13AM

Getting 3rd parties interested is simply, you make sure they can't afford to overlook you. Which basically means increasing your marketshare, which is something Sony has been doing since before Christmas as a pretty rapid pace. So they are definetely on the right track currently. What they maybe should look into though is shore up the support from Japanese developers having companies such as Square Enix for instance increase their dedication to the Sony console.

Yuel @ Jun 23rd 2008 6:16AM

Many people complain about how the psp is being hacked and how this is the main reason that makes third party developers to stop making games for psp; the PS3 is the only console that has not being hacked yet, so why not to choose it for exclusives?, i don't get it!

mushmouth @ Jun 23rd 2008 8:23AM

I bought a subscription. I thought it was fairly well done and it was an excuse to get calling all cars. So far I am happy with my decision. I like the attitude that everything Sony does should be free. Sony gives its customers substantially more for free than MS does for the 360 customers.