310°

EA: PS3 Orange Box was a 'challenge situation'

Electronic Arts has called the port of Valve's Orange Box onto PS3 a "challenge situation" - and admitted that the release didn't quite live up to the developer's expectations.

The Orange Box - which contained Half-Life 2, Portal and Team Fortress 2, among others - was ported onto PS3 by EA's UK team.

It won good critical acclaim from the press - hitting an 89 per cent average on Metacritic, but some critics bemoaned frame rate issues - and the SKU didn't hit the 95+ heights of the PC and Xbox 360 SKUs.

Indeed, Valve would later call the PS3 port a "stepchild version". The developer told CVG in February that it regretted the release - adding that it didn't put its "best foot forward with the PS3 community".

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computerandvideogames.com
GameOn5097d ago

Seems like a strange time for EA to talk about Half-Life. Wonder if there will be a Half-life announcement at E3 or maybe EA is porting portal 2. Interesting times...

Lucreto5097d ago

I hope the port Portal 2 but do a better job this time. I still hope for a Portal: Still Alive on PSN.

sixaxis5097d ago (Edited 5097d ago )

they still havent fixed glitches and huge lag in TF2. and wheres ps3s all updates,dlcs you knwo, new maps, and costumes etc. whole things which came LONG time ago to pc and 360.

Ocelot5255097d ago

add to that:

-missing sounds on the ps3
-missing textures(like some grass sprites)
-have to reload the level once you die

but the ps3 version also has some exclusive features in comparison with the PC:
-extra hdr effects(like the sun rays in the train station)
-extra static shadows(
-an extra layer of detail textures

i discovered these differences while by putting a laptop running half life 2 next to the PS3

ofcourse i maxed out every setting in the menu

Tony999Montana5097d ago

@sixaxis.. The 360 version of tf2 doesn't have any new maps or weapons etc. There's also a few unpatched glitches and they added class limits which, whilst it should work in theory, it ends up being abused by hosts. I've played tf2 on 360, PC and ps3 (less on 360 admitedly because I only play it at a mates house) and I can say that there's not a giant leap between 360 and ps3. The 2 console versions are quite similar, with 360 being a decent way better, but the PC version so much better than both console versions that it's almost irrelevant.

Personally I'd be happy with another EA port for say L4D2 or Portal 2. Or I would have been had I not recently started playing PC games.

xabmol5097d ago

Yes please!!

Portal is the best thing Valve has ever made! Love the shit out of that game!!

The_Count5097d ago

"I just figured out what that piece you just incinerated was. It was the morality core they installed after I flooded the Enrichment Center with a deadly neurotoxin, to stop me from flooding the Enrichment Center with a deadly neurotoxin. So please wait while I warm up the neurotoxin emitters."

Glados is such a great charcater.

raztad5097d ago

Orange Box PS3 was far from being a good port, still I'm glad they did it. I bought it for $20 and thats an incredible deal for several quality games.

andron5097d ago (Edited 5097d ago )

The port of OB wasn't top notch, but it was playable. I had played Half-Life 2 on PC and bought OB for PS3 to play through the Episodes, since I dont have a PC to play on anymore.

They should just have left the Team Fortress 2 out and charged less for it. TF2 was the worst in the package because of the lazy porting.

I really hope Episode 3 comes to PS3, but with a quality version this time...

Darkstorn5097d ago

I played through the entire Orange Box on PS3. Apart from a low framerate and some long loading times, it wasn't bad at all.

table5097d ago (Edited 5097d ago )

not to mention the horribly implemented controls and sub par graphics. I hated the ps3 version and the 360 version although better was also mediocre. It just wasn't meant for consoles. HL2 maxed out still looks better than most recent console games. I personally am not bothered if valve stick to 360/pc, infact I'd probably prefer it.

Persistantthug5097d ago

Because while both are running 720p, the PS3's version has AA and the 360 version does not.

I know they've patched the game several times, so that could be the reason....probably a late fix.

ThanatosDMC5097d ago

It was a terrible port. But i did enjoy HL2 though i have it on Steam... i was just too lazy to play it with a mouse. Weird, i know.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 5097d ago
piroh5097d ago (Edited 5097d ago )

i don't care about Orange box Valve are lazy i think

hoops5097d ago

Blame EA, they made the crappy port

FarEastOrient5097d ago

I blame Valve for thinking that it is a waste of time to develop for a console that has 36 million owners.

NYC_Gamer5097d ago

yup its Valve fault for not wanting to adavance,i'm happy that EA cared enough to port orange box even though it had alot of probleims...

interrergator5097d ago

of orange box still a awesome game little bugs didnt freeze on me i just want my episode 3 COME ON VALVE

Denethor_II5097d ago

ooooo yummy:) Gabe Newels comments are very tasty indeed.

I wonder if he knew back then that the console "which was a waste of everyone's time" would go on to sell 35+ million (still climing) and produce the greatest games and graphics the industry has ever seen.

quiquitos5097d ago

i had this for my xbox b4 it broke and i decided 2 get a ps3. I should really pick this up again at some point episode 2 and portal were epic!!!

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130°

Essential Video Games Everyone Needs To Play At Least Once

Video games are no longer just a simple past time. Today's games are evolving into true works of art. Offering intriguing narratives, cinematic setpieces, and profound messages, games can entertain us for hundreds of hours.

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wealthofgeeks.com
Chard8d ago (Edited 8d ago )

I never got around to mass effect - I’m skeptical that it would hold up if I were to try it now

Furesis8d ago

I would say it does. The combat is a bit shit for todays standards but everything else is great.

anast8d ago

It's worth a play through today.

gold_drake8d ago

the first one is abit the odd one out but after u finished it, believe it it gets tremendously better and better

230°

All the Essential Video Games Everyone Needs To Play At Least Once

Given the medium's wild diversity, this primer of the essential video games everyone should try is a good place to start.

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wealthofgeeks.com
thorstein51d ago

.... from the 2000s (mostly).

shinoff218351d ago

I can't fk with this list. They missed on alot of games probably before the writers times. Also I know people loved some portal but I was never a fan.

Cacabunga51d ago

Tomb Raider 1
Driver 1
Abe’s Odyssey
FF6
King of Fighters 94
Mortal Kombat OG
LINK 2 the past
Street Fighter 2
Resident Evil 1

Inverno51d ago

Infinite but not the first two games? Witcher 3 but not the first two games?? GTA V but not literally any of the games before it??? Portal 2 but not the first? Also if you're going to play Shadow of The Colossus play the remaster and not the remake. Can't say I disagree with the list but my man it's all over the place.

Name Last Name51d ago

I mean some sequels are objectively better and you don’t need to play the whole series.

Inverno51d ago

But most of these games have a story to follow, sure you can catch up with a YouTube vid but where's the fun in that?

LucasRuinedChildhood51d ago (Edited 51d ago )

A list like this isn't telling you not to play the previous games if you want to. It's just giving you legendary games to play.

But tbh, you don't always have to force yourself to play every entry in a franchise to get to the better ones.

- The vast majority of Witcher 3 players never played the first 2 and had a great time. The first 2 games aren't in the same league.
- The GTA games are self-contained with the odd fun reference. You can easily jump into any of them.
- The Shadow Of The Colossus remake looks and controls better than the original (plus it has a 60fps option while the remaster is just 30fps). New players will enjoy it more.
- Portal 2 is a lot better than Portal 1 and takes the concept much further gameplay-wise. Storywise, Portal 1 is fairly light too. Not that you shouldn't play it but realistically ... you'd love Portal 2 whether you play it or not (at lot of Portal 2 players have never played 1).

Bioshock 1 is the only one I agree with you on simply because it's one the best games of all time and arguably better than Infinite. No other setting like Rapture.

Looking at the list, I'd recommend playing Uncharted 1 before 2 but no doubt, 2 is the legendary one you have to play.

Inverno51d ago

I get it, but that's just my opinion on his opinion. I just think that before you play a sequel you should still play what came before it. Maybe it's just me but i find it fascinating playing through the first game in a series and seeing how it has evolved through its sequels. Like I said I don't disagree with the list, other than SoTC which I strongly believe the remaster of the original should be played above the remake.

AuraAbjure50d ago

Awesome list! Hot take on Fear (and it's hard af expansion Persaus Mandate!) Bioshock Infinite is stellar, so is the Witcher 3 and you nailed it by having Ocarina of Time. So many fantastic games! Gotta play 'em all! Next one on my list is Prey after I beat Dead Space 2 and Splinter Cell Conviction.

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220°

EA Hopes to Use Generative AI to Drive Monetization and Make Development 30% More Efficient

Today Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson provided a look into his ideas for the use of generative AI in the company's development processes.

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techraptor.net
thorstein57d ago

I wonder what the next buzz word they'll slap in front of AI to make it sound exciting next? "Generative" as if it's creating its own content. Lol.

Cacabunga56d ago

EA is already dying a painful death..

peppeaccardo56d ago

i have a better idea .. why the whole exec team doesn't get replaced by chat bots ?

just_looken56d ago

Though i agree the ai thing is already in other forms of media there have been ai translations/scripts/voice over and even full ai commercials aired on tv. Ubisoft has created a ai game creator story/vo/music except the building of the game

The new unreal engine has auto terrain creation tools

In the world of greed in which it is winning without any major blow back ai is our future.

everyone want's biden dead on the mic or a criminal instead of a woman and now we are getting ai everything because no one will stop watching/playing ai created media.

GamerRN56d ago

Maybe they should just focus on making good games?

Just a thought...

Kiryu199256d ago

Exactly EA are just pure evil. When they are beating Bank of America to be voted the worst company to work for that’s saying a lot

Good thing I don’t buy their games day one and wait for deep deep sale years after launch (the select few games I am actually interested in)

Gaming is making so much money yet the greed of these companies is never ending

CEO’s and people on board making millions yet cutting jobs to those who are actually making the products

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 56d ago
Knightofelemia57d ago (Edited 57d ago )

EA is still a shady shitty company even with or without the help of Skynet. All they will use AI for is new ways to milk loot boxes and come up with the same sports title with a different year on the label. They are one company I truly do hate with a passion. They single handedly ruined some great franchise with their death touch. ME, Dead Space, Alice Returns, Dante's Inferno.

Stuart575656d ago

EA layoffs followed by 'Generative AI to Drive Monetization'

I knew it. Wonder what AI salary looks like? Nothing.

ChasterMies56d ago

I having a feeling that most of the layoffs in the industry are based on the idea that AI will do the same job for less.

DarXyde56d ago

Very likely, yes.

Made worse by the fact that the execs aren't changing their compensations.

My deepest fear at this point is that we are now in the capitalism endgame.

At this point, we really should just burn AI to the ground. Executives cannot be trusted to do the right thing.
How are those people expected to support families if everything gets automated?

Barlos56d ago (Edited 56d ago )

And take away creativity, and people's jobs as we've been seeing. Got it.

No thanks. I want my games created by people, not AI.

CobraKai56d ago

Exactly. If or when games start becoming more AI than people, im done with gaming. AI and companies like EA can suck donkey d***k.

just_looken56d ago

Though i agree remember this is no ps3/360 era were we got up to 3 games in one generation from on developer like gears/halo/bioware/sony/ms

The people today are pro esg/sweet baby for the most part AAA gaming is imploding right now.

We should be stepping back re evaluate everything as a whole this year xmen 97 written/directed by a woman that is nuts and its also being made by a group reshaping bodies to be less sexual like wtf. A dam famous cartoon from the 90's is being rebuilt with millions spent to be worse in everyway.

Gaming/movies/tv shows made today are worse than what we had 7years ago ai won't change this but that ai is also being made by these groups so either way we are screwed.
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Eonjay56d ago

Don't be of afraid of women. Sexy characters in games and movies still exist. Got my Stellar Blade on preorder!!! Everything all the time doesn't need to be sexual...that's stupid, childish and dull.

Chocoburger56d ago (Edited 56d ago )

EA doesn't want to lose their title of worst gaming company ever, always trying their best to remain the champs!
What's sad is that they have so much potential to be a decent publisher.

SSX Tricky / SSX 3
Def Jam Vendetta / Fight for New York
NBA Street
NFL Steet
Mirror's Edge
Bad Company
Burnout 3 / 4 / 5

Remember when EA used to be awesome? It's all over with now. Unpolished, if not out-right broken games these days. Endless monetization and gambling in their sports games, and let's not forget wasting hours of your life trying to unlock characters or equipment using "surprise boxes!"

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