Mark Rein on content: "This is why we've made the game for the PS3 first."

Gamasutra sat down to speak to Epic Games' VP Mark Rein, and the real story seems to be just how open the game will be on the PlayStation 3. "This is the full power of the Unreal Editor. The same editor we used to create the games is now available to you," he says. "You want to import your objects you made in 3D Studio Max or Maya? Bring them in! You want to code an UnrealScript? Code an UnrealScript! All those things you can do. If they fit on our map, you can stick them on the PlayStation 3 and they'll run!" And this content doesn't have to be filtered by either Epic or Sony. You can grab any kind of mod or custom map from any site online, and it will play on the PS3 version of Unreal Tournament 3. "When they embrace user-created content, that's what it means to be an open system. That's why we're on PlayStation 3 first-because they are embracing user-created content. It's not just moving the deck chairs around the boat. They are embracing real art," Rein told Gamasutra. This type of open experience may be more of a challenge with Microsoft. "...we will sit down with Microsoft and have a dialog with them and say, 'Here is what we want to do. How can we do it?' They may or may not embrace it. We don't know. That's why we've made the game for the PlayStation 3 first, because we knew exactly what the boundaries were going to be."

[Hydrollex]

UT3 was kind of a flop on PC. I hope it's not the second Lair. Sorry Xbox 360 fans don't be happy because of my comment because Gears of War on PC was a flot but on 360 was doing good. So we have to wait and see

[shmee]

UT3 will be a mega hit on PS3

It will also move atleast 500k ps3s

PLUS it is the holiday season

[iceice123]

You know as well as anyone that is not true. There fanbase is on the PC always has been always will be, 500k PS3 sold because of UT? Not going to happen.

[shmee]

GEARS did wonder for x360. UT3 will do the same for PS3

PLUS it is a holiday season with no major releases of other consoles in DECEMBER

atleast be realistic. PS3 sales have already reached 200k /per week. EXPECT a bigger bump on DEC 10

[Bolts]

I'm not sure what you're talking about but all console games flop on the PC. No self respecting PC gamer is going to bother with a FPS with 4 vs 4 multiplayer. As for UT 3 well, PC gamers isn't into the DM gameplay as they used to be. They're all into the big team games like Battlefield, Teamfortress and CoD 4 now a days.

But having said that, I also think UT 3 might sell more for the PS 3. What UT 3 have to offer is old news for the PC gamers, but on the PS3 the mod community could create a lot of waves. However that totally depends on how the PS3 mod works. Unless the PS 3 version offer full installs I doubt full conversions like Red Orchestra will be possible. If the PS 3 can do full blown mods it will revolutionize the console industry.

[jiggyjay]

Sure is a lot of shooters on this console!

Wasn't PS3 fans bashing the Xbox platforms because its just for shooters.. Now the best games that are available for the PS3 UT3, COD4, Resitance, Uncharted, Warhawk and coming soon KZ2 and Haze... Isn't it funny!

Edit- The Xbox has many type of games as well but everybody just knows about Halo that's the reason why generalize it as having a lot of shooters..

[Shenzilbur]

meh. Irony is irony. I quite frankly don't care, thing is the PS3 has a selection of many other genres too. Just turns out developers like making FPS and FPS is a very popular genre - if you do it right.

[The Killer]

i liked that part in the end of the article because its somehow true!
MS dont give anything free, LIVE, DLC, HD DVD etc

[moses]

I'm sure UT3 will eventually sell more, and have a much larger community on PC when people can get PC's that can run UT3 decently. I can only run it on 800x600 on medium, which isn't too pretty/smooth, and I have a 6600 GT :\.

[neogeo]

WRONG! more like 750k

[sonarus]

am a ps3 fan but lets break this down to wat we knw
1. does ut3 have hype- not really as far as i can tell jst a bunch of gamers who would have bought pretty much any shooter excited for the game
2. Have you heard ANYONE say they'd buy ps3's over UT3?? Friends even n4g gamers as far as i knw no. mostly ps3 gamers am sure a couple of 360 boys will get ps3's for it but prob not that many.
3. The only thing that can really help UT3 become a system seller are the mods. User created content and before user created content can sell ps3's you have to wait for a wicked user to create sumthin cool 1st off and that might be a while.

Am getting UT3 jst cus a couple of my friends are getting it i generally dnt like fps shooters but am learnin to play it. I am now a beast in warhawk Played resistance online only a couple of times. This generations seems to have more shooters cus unfortunately thats wat sells and everyonce in a while a shooter comes around thats innovative/good looking enough for me to take a look at i.e. COD4. Unreal tournament looks great and i will eventually get into it but i honestly jst wish there werent so many fps's cus once u can play 1 u can play all. Hardly no innovations in gameplay jst point and shoot. I wish there were more GOW's DMC's MGS's Final fantasy's. I'd jst like sumthin to play besides a shooter please. THANK YOU

[felman87]

If you liked 2004 you'll like UT3. If you haven't played 2004 then you definitely have to pick this game up.

[TheHater]

Agree. But I find that UT 2003 was kinda better than 2004.

Edit: Oh and Felman, I hope we can have Saturdays matches when this come out, well that is if you are getting this game.

[TheIneffableBob]

I loved UT2004 and played hundreds of hours of it, but UT3 just isn't doing it for me.

[ruibing]

That was a very good interview, it actually got me really excited about all the possibilities that the game provides. It really solves my problem of being a PC FPS user at heart so I can use a mouse and keyboard setup without having to upgrade my PC to enjoy good graphics.

[TheHater]

I am actually selling Call of Duty for UT3. I find that UT3 had the better overall experience to me. And plus it more of my type FPS. Oh and the beta on my PC got me hooked oh this game. I will be downloading a lot of mods, and might try to make some of my own.

[Chitown71291]

The team at Unreal and the team at EA ( Burnout Paradise ) influence other 3rd Party developers to focus more on the PS3 hopefully leading to some exclusives (good exclusives).

[MK_Red]

While I do agree that other 3rd party devs should learn from Criterion (Burnout Paradise) and Epic (UT3), I got to point that neither of them are exclusives and the thing I really wish is that other devs follow Criterion and Epic and start making good multi platform titles that are not inferior on either system (Crappy EA ports and such).

[felman87]

devs should do themselves a favor and make PS3 the lead platform for their titles. It makes ports much easier.

[Hydrollex]

These games will be PS3 seller

MGS4, FF13 fore sure ! GT5 , Haze , killzone , GTA IV , Tekken 6

there are more but I dont remember

[Xemnas]

You forgot Little big planet

[undacovabrothe]

AND SOCOM and eventually Resistence 2 will prob sell consoles when it releases next holiday season

[WilliamRLBaker]

yep they made ps3 exclusive and droped 360 for now and its guranteed 1-2 million sales in a month, just for user content? *cough* BS *cough*

Im gonna laugh when the first stuff on u3 for ps3 made by users doesn't work or someone makes a custom script to crash your ps3.

[TheHater]

I am sorry, but I really don't understand why your will actually want someone to make a script of code to crash the ps3? Why do you have to go so low and say something so stupid. Why don't you quit the BS, and open your God dams eyes.
What do you get a boner from wishing harm onto another consoles other than the one you have? why, because you can't afford it, or it just not for you? I am sorry, but your stupid fanboys are some of the most stupidest people on this site, and clearly have no idea of what the hell they are talking about.
What does bashing any good news the ps3 get make you feel good about yourself, or are you just insecure?

[felman87]

So you're saying that the PS3 version sucks because someone might create some code to crash the PS3 but the PC version will be awesome because that kinda stuff never happens on the PC?

[champ420]

@$$ wipe, if people create custom maps with corrupt scripts, then you will not only be crashing the ps3 but also pcs for the same map can run on both,.... idiot

[xplosneer]

What about GT4? Weren't you laughing then? Saying it would all be sold on Xbox 360? No?

[Primetimebt]

Custom MODS have been around for awhile on the PS3. It goes back to NCAA football where PS3 owners could've put the names of all the college players instead of playing with number. I highly doubt map modding, character moding is really going to crash a system.

[Polluted]

It's nice to see Rein talking so positively about the PS3. With the sheer volume of games being developed on UE3 these days, he's definitely a guy you want in your corner. That said, I expect he'll have plenty of good things to say about the 360 when the next Epic game comes out. Be it UT3 or Gears 2. At least he's standing behind his products.

[KidMakeshift]

Is it only multiplayer matches between players and bots or does it have a single player campaign?

[iceice123]

Yeah this one does, not sure about others only played very little multiplayer.

[Korosuke]

Yes, UT is totally multi player game.
But I heard UT3 has single player mode, maybe it's for console users.

[KidMakeshift]

I'm getting bored of death match and capture the flag multiplayer stuff, so I hope UT3 mixes it up a bit like the Call of Duty 4 perk system (I've become addicted trying to unlock that stuff). Or if it mixes battle styles like Warhawk (turrets, aircrafts, and vehicles) or tactical approaches like Rainbow Six: Vegas (rappel, multiple tiered entries, cover system)

I'll at least rent it for the graphics (looks better than Gears of War so far)

Speaking of Gears of War, do you think they'll release a expansion pack for the 360 that has all the pc bonus chapters?

[Korosuke]

I'm not a big fan of UT, so I don't know well.
But UT's popular game mode is onslaught, say roughly, it's like warhawk or battlefield.
attacking the opponent team territory and capture the point using various vehicles with your buddies.

[jaja1434]

Its basically Battle Field on a smaller scale and more "spray and pray" than anything else. Never been my cup of tea as I like my games a bit slower paced, but it has its loyal following all the same.

[rofldings]

It's not "spray and pray"

Maybe if you're a noob, it's spray and pray.

[undacovabrothe]

Yea this game has a singleplayer I dont know if its going to be good I heard it just basically gives u a feel for UT3 and teaches you how to play. UT3 runs around its multiplayer, and has amazingly good mutliplayer experience. Just imagine Halo 3 and Gears smacked into 1.

[hfaze]

The beauty of the PS3 allowing user mods is that we can create our own game modes, new weapons, new vehicles, etc... The best way to take a look at UT3 is as a toolkit that you can do quite a bit with.

[beast]

UTIII will have UNLIMITED DLC FOR FREE.

Cant wait to create some MODS so i can school each and one of u.

[zPlayer]

This is great news. i never was into UT but now i have some interest.

[name]

It has single player and bots as well.

[shmee]

mark my words

PLUS the holiday season and no big releases on other platforms would ensure good sales of the game as well as increased sales of the ps3

PS3 now has a solid AAA library comprising of Uncharted, Resistance,R&C and HS

[KidMakeshift]

Hopefully, people will finally have headsets for the PS3. Warhawk is still pretty quiet from what I've played

[LosT---SouL]

lmao. then youve been missing out. whenever i log on and join a ctf server there are always atleast 4 people screaming into their mics saying "WTF ARE YOU GUYS DOING???" or "THEY HAVE OUR FLAG!!!! DO SOMETHING!!"

cracks me up everytime

[wil4hire]

Microsoft really needs to loosen its grip over what goes in and out of the 360.

If Divx was any sign of this... Then the same downloadable mods/content should be available for the 360.

Epic should have created cross-platform play though. Just the 360 and the PS3. I doubt many PCers are going to get UT3.

edit;

Oh sorry someone disagreed. I take all of that back... Microsoft needs to restrict content. (SERIOUS SARCASM) What is wrong with you? You can disagree but you cant make a comment.

[jaja1434]

Ohh god I would never want 360 vs PS3 play. Never mind that the trash talk would just be horrible, the fact that the PS3 users can use a mouse/keyboard is enough to scare me away.

Also the whole open unfiltered idea sounds great, but it only takes one jackass to make some sort of virus or hmm less than civil skin/model to ruin it.

[The Wood]

about the m + k support. I hope they make servers where your only allowed m + k or pad only

[undacovabrothe]

Wil4hire ut is a pc game the pc support will always be there and is made for the pc so its more of a pc game than it prob will ever be a console game unless it really takes off on the ps3. Also there will never be cross platform on the ps3-360 unless MS stop being cheap assholes and make their online free. Also the 360 version will be a watered down version so 360 fans dont get happy about this 1 I stick to your gears.

[Korosuke]

I wonder PS3 version support full mod.
I mean it's like counter strike from half life, red orchestra from UT 2003
or it's just user created map and object like weopon, skin, sound stuff like that ?

[Lumbo]

like CS for Halflife and RO for UT2004

The whole mod concept has changed for UT3 though, now the mods get included into the map container instead of seperate files as far as i have seen in the new UnrealEd.

[name]

He said that we're using the same thing they used to make the game.

[Winter47th]

I baught the PS3 for UT3, me and everyone i know, and we're all PC Whores but buying a PC 3 times more the price of a PS3 for the same image quality is pure BS.

[Mercutio]

and xbox is not

PLAY B3YOND,.... B!TCHES!

[DJ]

levels within Maya since I'm a Lightwave user. My associate is a big Maya user though, so I could probably get the program from him. Actual modeling is fine. It's the Normal Mapping that's intimidating.

[wil4hire]

I'd just model everything in modeler.. UV in Maya.. export the .obj's out to the unreal engine and call it a day.

I am a diehard LW user.. few and far between. I think Max has a bulletproof pipeline from it to game engines (for some reason).

As far as normal mapping... those are the same in any package.. make them in Mudbox/Zbrush and export.

If the engine takes in .objs i think we are in heaven... avoiding max would be great.

Im wondering what the pipeline will be.

[rsebes]

I'm great in level making just not at modeling, texturing models. I've been using level designers since the old days of Duke Nukem 3d.hehe lol

[m9105826]

I don't know why, and everyone tells me I'm crazy, but I work best in Blender for some reason. I know there are some features lacking, but my pipeline at this point includes Blender, Photoshop CS3, ZBrush 3.1. I haven't really run into any problems so far, but I'm really trying to learn Maya 2008 at this point.

[Salvadore]

This game is definitely a mustbuy.

[jctoyou]

sorry 4 being a noob but someone told me if someone was smart enough they could make a game similar to gears of war,ie third person game as apposed fps,have they given u this amount of freedom to make a completley different game?

[Lumbo]

Yes, total conversions are possible, as the mod support is the same the PC version gets.

Making a gears of War clone would be a HUGE load of work though. We are talking several years dev time here, not some 2 month garage project.

[Mr Tretton]

I'm glad a third party developer is being so positive about the PS3

But, I'm not that interested in this one for some reason. I'll rent it first.

[to407]

Listen guys, Rein is just trying to market his product. And quite rightly so.Suggestion that is the Ps3 is hard to develop for is rife in some sections of the industry, and he's using this glorious opportunity to endear the ps3 owners to Unreal tournament 3 and unreal engine. He would be going on charm offensive again when is about to be released on the 360. or perhaps when GOW2 is coming out..Publicity stunt. I don't blame him, he's simply just doing his job.

[Gamingisfornerds]

In this case it's more than just that as MS won't allow for this kind of user interactivity/freedom on their console. So these features will never make it to the 360.

MS kind of shot themselves in the foot here, because now the 360 version will in fact be the gimped version compared to the PC and PS3 (if it releases at all). That said, I'm not sure 360 owners will play this game over Halo 3 all that much though, and I seriously doubt UT3 is a system seller of some kind. So I don't think it's the end of the world or anything.

However, it does show (so far) that Sony is willing to give the user a lot more freedom in terms of user generated content. This could draw potential console buyers more to the PS3 side, than the 360 side.

[Nameless]

This guy is starting to get more annoying then Jack Thompson. He says the same crap in each interview. He needs to take a chill pill. I bet he sleeps next to a PS3 & cuddles with one on the couch.

[aiphanes]

You need to go get one...they start at $399!!!

[HarryEtTubMan]

jealous XBOT! hahaha and this also runs better tGears does on your junkbox... with mods haaaaaa

[gnothe1]

did he mention that fact that in order to create mods for the PS3 version, you have to buy the PC version!! to me that kinda double dipping. why brag on a feature that doesn't come packed in the box. so to have the ability to create mods for you AN OTHER people to play is gonna cost you about 110 dollars, 49.99 for PC an 59.99 for the PS3 versions of the game. also! not sure if you got to have a PC that strong enough to run the game in order to run the mod creator!! this is just a developer trying to push their product, anyone wonder why SONY isn't doing any advertisement for this game!!

[actas123]

and you forgot to mention one thing: you don't know how to use Maya... So please be quiet.

[Hitman_Legend]

You don't need to make your own mod if you have the console version, you can just download the mods other people make, and theirs nothing wrong with that since i doubt the majority of console owners know how to make those mods, like me for example.

[Lumbo]

Hmm, $110 sounds like a bargain considering what you pay for game engines like the Unreal engine normally ... like $250000 for the lowest entry contract.

So you can develop games on a prooven engine for PC AND PS3 at the same time for virtually free. Can't beat that pricepoint ...

The mod scene is already hyped regarding the "export to PS3" feature in the Editor, cause it allows them to develop games for consoles legally for the first time. Just take a stroll over to www.moddb.com to get an idea of what might come to both PC and PS3 in the near future by freelance developers ... At no cost for the users ..

The least you will see is a huge bunch of free custom maps for UT3 that can be downloaded for .. again: PC and PS3.

[Premonition]

You know what they should do, for PS3 owners sell a software separate from the actual game that just focuses on mods, and if they could do that, that would be great, like maybe sell it any where from 10-20bucks, or offer it as a free download or something.

[zonetrooper5]

Making a mod is not easy btw, making new maps I don't think will be that hard. You just have to learn how to use Unrealeditor. Im making a few maps for CSS and a mod called Sourceforts. Just added some pictures.

The pictures that I've attached are the WIP of a map I'm making called sf_elder.

[Lumbo]

Boy oh boy i look forward to the mods already. Gonna get a US version this time, as its the same anyways and i always play with UT set to english .. so no need for a localized version :p

[Premonition]

If they can advertise like they did with Gears, then this game will sell many copies and quite a few systems as well.

[ROCCOZILLA]

more and more developers will start to go with sony.m$ is showing its old tech.PS3 will dominate the future.its baaaaaaad ass.

[eagle21]

Did bots check out the ign Top 100? Nintendo and Sony dominated that list. Games like Ico, GT3 & Shadow of The Colossus at 16! I can't wait to see Team Ico's tent. title: The Last Canyon. PS3 has the games to potentially crack all time lists. You need revolutions like LittleBigPlanet and FFXIII to even attempt.

[undacovabrothe]

Also Sony needs to run with this game this holiday season if they want to keep up with 360 or pass it in sales. Starting in the next 2 weeks they should air like 50 commercials a day on the big channels. Do something because I know this is going to be a really good game its just about getting the info out there to people who have not decided if they wanted a 360 or a ps3. I am gettin this game day it comes out with 4 of my friends, so cant fukn wait!

[Jamaicangmr]

I agree they need to do this because this game is quit possibly the last big title for 2007 and it's also PS3 exclusive for the fore seeable future Sony needs to let these things be known.

[Eimmij]

get the game and don't waste money on the orange box

[zonetrooper5]

You could get both the Orange box and UT3 on the PC. =)

If its on the PS3 then its pains me to say, get UT3, the PS3 version of Orange Box is not as good as the 360 version which sucks.

[solar]

this video is one reason why i think GeoW sold so good. it make me o.O and i became instantly interested in the game. best video game commercial ever other than the Smash Bros. one for 64 where they are kicking each others asses.

edit: damn it this was supposed to be up under Hydrolex's post. ah well, cant wait to run some ppl over in ut3 :D

[Xemnas]

I want to play Gow now .......ah well back to Cod4 x_X

[greenenvy]

the petition is working everybody, great news!!!!

we ppl are now at about 800 signatures & growing!!

http://www.petitiononline.c...

the petition author knows that CNET owns metacritic, but it don't matter because he's gonna deliver it to their editor in charge anyway!

...and its going to land right on Josh Larson's desk, they got his email too! they can't ignore 800 or 1000 + people boycotting their products!!!!!!!

pepsi-co just pulled out, hahahahaha!!
=D

[SilverKiller]

this is a must have game, i'm going to give it a try on the PS3

[sleepbox]

NO Unreal Tournament game has ever moved many consoles...this is a fact. What makes all the Sony fans so sure something miraculous is going to come of UT3 for PS3? Especially considering the fact that UT3 DID turn out to be a 8.5/10 game for PC...

[Interpol Agent]

All i know is that this game is going to rock in the PS3.

[segasage]

Lair, Warhawk, Heavenly sword, and R&C barley beats Halo 3 and Gears of War put together.

What makes you think all the sudden a very popular PC shooter is gonna move Consoles?

1.PS Brand never been known to move consoles with FPS Games.

2.UT3 is still a PC niche first and foremost.

3.How much have UT franchise games, sold on Consoles?

4.Great Marketing by EPIC before a game comes out, Hey I'm not hating they make great games. Nothin new here

5.Sony has confused the gaming market,a big part of PS3 users are ONLY movie watchers and some with multiple consoles for different rooms. Part of the the reasons why games have not sold well.

6.Sony all the sudden is catering to the Hardcore Market with so many Shooters, none of which is very popular in all regions, just as Xbox shooters get a bad rap.

The will be a great game but please try not to hype what is already the norm for devs these days before they release a game. We been there before with Lair..HS...R&C..etc

[Kleptic]

as far as number 5...

the PS3 has better sales to console ratios on several recent multiplatform games than other platforms...

cod 4, GH3, Rockband, and AC all had higher attatch rates on the ps3 than on the the 360 or Wii...

overall sales for PS3 games are seemingly lower simply because of a dwarfed user base compared to the 360 and Wii...yet its a different picture considering how well some recent games have sold when compared to that user base...there were 2 articles about this just a few days ago...

why do think EA is all of a sudden excited about the PS3?...some accountant flopped information about this on some exec's desk and EA does a 180, as far as PS3 optimism, over night...

[GlossGreen]

We've heard a lot of praise for the PS3 from the development team, but is the game any good? Video and screenshots look great, but that, as we all know, means exactly jack in this industry. I want a demo!

[GunPants]

it,s going to be very funny when this game gets band for the AO content that will be avalible in the first two weeks. i see it now.
OMG!!!! my little boy is playing a M rated game and he downloaded a mod that makes all the girls run around neked.
not that i want to see it but you know its going to happen and with sony's free any body can sign up with little to no age checking it,s gunna get very ugly.

[undacovabrothe]

First of all UT3 is on a different scale then the other UT that were released on a console. Second UT3 got a 9.0 on ign and there have been many videos where companies played the ps3 version said its just as good as the pc version and runs really well. Third only a 360 fanboy would deny that this game is going to be any good and with no games coming out for 360 in december if sony advertise this like they should can cause people to really by this game or a ps3 even.

[The_Engineer]

for this game and the head to head "pro" matches in FIFA 08, not to mention all the other games with a co=op mode. This IS the reason to own more than one PS3.

[kunark]

ill prolly get this game idk how the mod thing will work out for the ps3 i dont know much about makeing maps but will be fun to learn lol. to me this game looks like a super version of holo 3 just hope its just as fun to play.

[kunark]

also does any one know how many players online? and can you play with the pc players?

[ROCCOZILLA]

ive been hearing alot of pc guys are opting for a ps3 instead of a new pc this xmas.because the grafics are just as good and will get better and you can play with a mouse.PLAY B3YOND!URT3 baby

[SilverKiller]

the graph are almost as good as playing with a 320 MB video card with improve particles and well if you can set your PS3 in the right way is almost a computer, you can install Linux and use it, i check my email and i do web browsing with it. is fantastic to use Linuz from my Settee and now they finally found how to use the 3D graph card with linux i'm gooing to play Halo emulated from the OS :P

[Relientk77]

i cant wait to get this game yay

[m9105826]

MODs will be so much fun to make and then play on my PS3.