330°

Midway's Bilder Talks X360 To PS3 Conversion Issues

Midway Chicago studio head Mike Bilder has been discussing next-gen conversion issues on the company's Stranglehold as part of an in-depth Gamasutra interview, noting that it was "a more difficult endeavor" to overcome memory and processor challenges on the PlayStation 3 than on the Xbox 360 or PC.

The PS3 version of Stranglehold shipped around 6 weeks after the X360 version, and Gamasutra discussed why a number of titles are seeing similar (if short) delays to debut the PS3 version. Bilder explained of his experiences on action title Stranglehold:

"Hindsight's always 20/20, but we've kept all of the builds in a similar development state all along. What we found, though, when we tried to get some of it game-ready and fitting on the disc and fitting in memory, in the end it was an easier endeavor on two of the SKUs and it was a more difficult endeavor on one of them. Just, to be honest, the hardware differences in memory and processor on the PS3 vs. traditional PC and 360, it makes it a challenge, and it's representative. Everybody's having a challenge in the industry right now."

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gamasutra.com
AliC6039d ago

And the games still not out in Europe yet.

Ri0tSquad6039d ago

I have it for the 360 and I don't see this selling on the ps3. There too late.

ruibing6039d ago

I have a PS3 and I won't be getting this, not because it was late or anything, but because there's already a lot of games (both exclusives and crossplatformers) that just forced this game off my list from the very beginning.

Xi6039d ago

"The difficulty you run into there, at least in the last generation, was that the Xbox was considerably more powerful than the PS2, and you found that people didn't always take advantage of the hardware. Whereas with the PS3 and the 360, it's certainly more of a level playing field, so I don't think it's necessarily a negative to put the PS3 first. But it does help mitigate some of that risk in framerate, memory, technology, just the hardware differences."

This is the consensus in the developing community and in the industry, the ps3 is slightly stronger than the 360 but it's not to the extremes that Sony or the fanbois are making it out to be.

gamesblow6039d ago

When using multi-tools to develop with.. Yeah, the ps3 isn't much stronger... when using exclusive tools to dev with. The ps3 is 2 folds stronger. It's all in the tools and when you have multi-platform code you can't get all crazy with it. IT's going to be a strict development process. Don't fool yourself. The CPU in the PS3 litterally cripples the GPU and CPU of the xbox 360 combined. It's all in the dev tools, folks.

wageslave6039d ago

"Whereas with the PS3 and the 360, it's certainly more of a level playing field"

How did you come to this " the ps3 is slightly stronger than the 360" conclusion?

It doesnt say that at all. It sounds far more like what IGN said in their hardware shoot-out:

"When you break down the numbers, Xbox 360 has provably more performance than PS3."

http://xbox360.ign.com/arti...

IGN further went on to say " Keep in mind that Sony has a track record of over promising and under delivering on technical performance. The truth is that both systems pack a lot of power for high definition games and entertainment. "

Which sounds like you have it about right when you said "it's not to the extremes that Sony or the fanbois are making it out to be"

Clearly, we see it again here with Stranglehold (and again with PES 2008 and Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 just this *week* alone). That the design of the PS3 requires far more effort to reach par performance with the Xbox 360.

Thats the bottom line. Its the whole story of PS3 vs. Xbox 360; "PS3 gives you less for more"

Xi6039d ago

of those that bought into the sony hype. I bet you also thought that the ps2 could do toy story like graphics eh?

The ps3 is not "2 fold" in strength when compared to the 360, if that were the case then you could run crysis on the ps3 without a problem, but the dev clearly stated the game is not possible on either platform. Not to mention you have a dev clearly stating that the difference in the systems is less than that of last gen, and the xbox was not 2 times more powerful than the ps2. You have numerous other developers saying that the systems are nearly equal in power.

Also The gpu in the 360 is able to preform dx10 features, I ask, why then can the ps3 not if it's 2 times the power. Why is it that the 360 can preform HDR lighting in full. When the original Xbox released it had the best looking console games to date, such is not the case with the ps3, even though dev kits for both platforms were released at the same time. Snap out of it dude.

The ps3 is mildly stronger than the 360 it's power comes from the abilty to stream data at very high ammounts which is a requirement for blu-ray to work, but it does not compute branching code, ooo coding, or much convential gaming code well, but excels in parellel coding. It also has blu-ray which is a double edged sword such that it's a slower drive and cannot stream data as fast off the disc, however it offers up much more space. Some people just don't want to look at their investment as what it is, and will do anything to justify their purchase, enjoy the games man, i do.

LOL PS3 IS JUNK LOL6039d ago

"Whereas with the PS3 and the 360, it's certainly more of a level playing field"

That to me seems like a comments saying they both have the same power.

Xi - you jump in and twist the words to make it seem like the PS3 is faster

gamesblow - Your pathetic existence then jumps in and says its "two folds" more powerful with their dev tools. You are a freaking moron dude. Can you please provide the N4G community with some proof? No...you are a moron who doesn't know what he is talking about. You are just defending your poor purchase....you are really really stupid.

-1 bubble for you. I suggest everyone else removes a bubble from gamesblow as well. The PS3 community is funny to watch and sad to read.

Proxy6039d ago

People like Computer Engineers buy PS3's and build all kinds of advance programs to run on them. Unless you suggest that these people like to pay more money for a less powerful system, then we have to concluded that the PS3 does have something special under its hood.

Whether this will give an advantage in the gaming department remains to be seen.

Martini6039d ago

....... " so I don't think it's necessarily a negative to put the PS3 first. But it does help mitigate some of that risk in framerate, memory, technology, just the hardware differences......"
He seems to be implying that if you make game on PS3 it will be easy to make it run on 360 but if you make 360 game and try to make it run on PS3 it will strugle with memory/framerate problems. So 360 > PS3 according to this guy.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 6039d ago
razer6039d ago

These developers need to just cancel these games.. I think they are spending more on the extra development time then they will make a profit. As the attach rate proves, PS3 people don't buy games but instead jerk-it to Blu-ray movies and talk to their friends about how good the cell processor is.

PS: I've rented, played and finished this game and have moved on like a month ago.. LOL

gamesblow6039d ago

I'll agree on 1 thing here... no one wants to play a game that's been out for months on end. VF 5... MGS4... UT3... HAZe... I think these will be interesting match ups in a few months when we see who's who when playing "old" games.

Proxy6039d ago

I someone bought a PS3 today they would probably buy Resistance, even though it's been out almost a year.

I but those who made the switch from PS2 to 360 bought the original Halo game, even though that's years old.

Perhaps the attach rate is low because people refuse to buy crappy ports. Give me a good port, or give me nothing at all.

Bloodmask6039d ago

of the ease of development for the 360. Notice in the article how the developer cites that the 360 and the PC versions were developed simultaneously. This is the way it should be, so developers can focus on making great games instead of struggling to get their games to run efficiently.

Also note that in the article the developer cites how the PS3 and 360 are "relatively" equal in power. Basicly the PS3 and the Cell are a poor architecture for games development, which will take longer to garner the "same" results as PC and 360. Notice I didn't say "better". That is why developers are dropping PS3 versions of games. Because of high development costs and low install base.

GIJeff6039d ago (Edited 6039d ago )

youre such a dumbass

EDIT: i guess bloodmask dissagreed..happy halloween.

thereapersson6039d ago

What a surprise. More SPAM from Bloodmask the repeater! Do you sit next to your keyboard with a .txt file open ready to copy and paste your canned replies?

Yet another example... blah blah FUD FUD .... teh cell is hard to program for...

Man, just lighten up and play games!

Einherjaren6039d ago

In the beginning the PS2 was extremely hard to program games for! But look at them now..This will apply to Ps3 as well!

There are several teams out there struggling to make easy to use dev.tools, but as of now only a few developer teams want to devote themselves to the current tools in order to make True Nextgen games: 1080P!!

Meus Renaissance6039d ago (Edited 6039d ago )

Many of your points are irrelevant.

The performance for the PS3 is clear for everyone to see in their 1st party line ups. It's foolish to make comparisons based on multi platform games, even the ones that look and perform exactly the same. Its more logical and accurate to instead draw conclusions from how the 1st party developers react to their respected platforms.

The subject of focus is the PS3 as its architecture is alien to the expertise and experience developers have with the PC/Xbox 360 that are similar. Therefore there will never be a day where ports can be developed on e.g. a PC and then just release it on the 360 and also PS3. The latter requires individual attention.

Historically the suggestion, for arguments sake, that the PS3 is significantly more powerful than the Xbox was used to justify the heft price tag of the machine. Now the prices are matched, there is no need to point at specific components of the hardware to hail and boast about. So if both cost the same amount, they are meant to atleast perform on the same level. Having said that, there are things the PS3 can do better on the Xbox, and there are things that the Xbox handles better than the PS3.

Companies naturally want to make profits and the install base is an issue. Or shall I say was an issue. Now that the issue of price has been addressed; the install base will grow. And now the lack of software issue is being addressed so there is absolutely no reason as to why anyone would suggest the installbase of the PS3 will not grow to the point that developers and publishers can't make a profit. By the end of the year, Sony will have atleast 6-7million consoles and that figure for its year is more than reasonable to heed the anxiety that some accountants may be having.

On a personal note; I think comparisons between the consoles is less relevant now because of the prices are matched. Some of the PlayStation 3 owners will believe their system is better and vice versa; that is why they own that console. You, or I, or anyone here will not convince them that their $399 investment is a waste of money and that should pay another $399 for a console and restart their game collection. That just won't happen.

So apply to their intelligence and common sense and cut the BS. If you disagree I'd like your point of view

Sincerely, Meus

Bloodmask6039d ago

How is my comment SPAM?? It is clearly related to the article. And typical to people of your nature to resort to a personal attack. What does your comment have to do with the article?? If anything your comment is SPAM, offensive, and also off topic, which I will report.

wageslave6039d ago

@meus.

You are the most delusional PS3 fan on this site. Unlike the others who froth at the mouth, you can at least string a sentence together. This talent has enabled to string along the SDF Useful Idiot minions.

But some of us are paying attention, and not so easily fooled.

These things come to mind from your post:

"360 and also PS3. The latter requires individual attention."
Yes, additional expense to achieve equal performance. Less expense results in an inferior game, as you see in dozens of titles this year.

"Now the prices are matched"
Not that it honestly matters (IMHO), but no, they are not "priced matched". The Xbox 360 still costs less than the PS3.

"there are things the PS3 can do better on the Xbox, and there are things that the Xbox handles better than the PS3."
Agreed. PS3 plays BR. Xbox 360 is a better game machine.

"Or shall I say was an issue."
The XBox 360 has outsold the PS3 since the release of the PS3. In addition, the Xbox 360 wasnt late to market as the PS3 was, and consequently has an install-base lead.

"the install base will grow."
It will grow, but so will Xbox 360's base. And, there is no reason -- OUTSIDE OF MEUSLANDIA -- to think that the Xbox 360 wont _continue_ to _outsell_ the PS3.

"PS3 will not grow to the point that developers and publishers can't make a profit."
That is smaller than the profit they could make on Xbox 360. For two reasons; A) the Xbox 360 has a larger base (and it is extending the install-base-gap) and B) Xbox 360 users buy more games per console per year ("attach rate) than PS3 users... I dont know why (BR only users? younger, less disposable income? more "2nd console" users (who are buying Xbox 360's superior multi-plat titles?))

"By the end of the year, Sony will have atleast 6-7million consoles"
Perhaps. But they have less than 5.5 now, they'd better have a great Xmass. But, its really not the point. During the holiday, the sales trend is *very* likely to continue. Yes, PS3 will sell. But the Xbox 360 is certain to sell more -- the question is, "how much more".

Meus, you cannot deny past performance being an indicator of future expectations. The PS3 still costs more, still has inferior games (sorry, no doubt about it, see Metacritic), has inferior "extra" offerings (LIVE Messenger, XBLA, WMC, LIVE, Guide Features) its bigger, sorta-fugly (matters to The Consumer(TM)), and is already far far out front in mindshare and marketshare.

Wishful thinking as permeated your post and replaced good reason.

Meus Renaissance6039d ago (Edited 6039d ago )

I was not comparing the sales figures between the Xbox and the PS3. Here are some of your comments that I'd like to address because I believe you've misunderstood me.

"It will grow, but so will Xbox 360's base. And, there is no reason -- OUTSIDE OF MEUSLANDIA -- to think that the Xbox 360 wont _continue_ to _outsell_ the PS3."

How well the PS3 or Xbox sales is not indictive of how the other is selling. Both consoles can sell very well, the point is that 3rd party developers will not shun away from the PS3 or consider it lesser because it has a small installbase. In comparison to the 360, it does have a smaller fanbase however on its own - 6 to 7 million customers is alot to a publisher. This would mean they'd also continue their support for both platforms. They could make money on both platforms, instead of just the Xbox 360 with its high userbase at the moment.

"Yes, additional expense to achieve equal performance. Less expense results in an inferior game, as you see in dozens of titles this year."

The additional expense is a natural result for the fact that developers need to give the platform individual attention. Much of this money goes to research and development and therefore is only temporarily; we'll see those costs go down significantly over the next few months and years.

"Not that it honestly matters (IMHO), but no, they are not "priced matched". The Xbox 360 still costs less than the PS3.

Well technically you are right. But the highest spec 360, which I'd personally would get, is the Elite and it costs more than the 40Gig. The Elite lacks WiFi but you can buy that for an additional $100, and it lacks Blu-Ray which is not related to gaming but it's still something someone would rather have than not in their package. It's practically a free Blu-Ray player on top. The 360 lacks that. And the Premium is $50 cheaper than the 40GB PS3 yet has half the HDD and has the Elite's lackings aswell. The PS3, for $50 more, offers a much greater value that no one can deny. If it was launched at that price last year, then there'd be no such comparisons between owners or criticism towards Sony's high price tag.

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540°

Top 5 Underrated Games Of Current-Gen

TNB: It is thanks to all the developers and publishers who made these games a reality, though you didn't get what you deserve, your hard-work and zeal to do things outside the box will never be forgotten.

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thatnaijablog.com
ShugaCane3999d ago

Demon Souls underrated ? I don't think so. 1.7 copies sold (VG Chartz) and often considered as one of the greatest RPGs of this gen. I think the game has the recognition it deserves and has nothing to do on that kind of list, in my opinion.

Kos-Mos3999d ago (Edited 3999d ago )

vgtards is for tards. Please don`t refer to them ever again. It`s run by hypocrites who are fanboys. Which company doesn`t matter.
On topic: Demon`s Soul`s does not have extremely high scores in reviews, thus underrated.

Haules3999d ago

1. Metro Last light
2. Folklore
3. Vanquish
4. Infamous 2
6. Warhawk

BattleAxe3999d ago

I will agree that alan Wake is a bit underrated. For anyone looking to play this game, check out Steam's weekend deal. They've got Alan Wake and Alan Wake: American Nightmare together for a total of $4.00 USD (90% off).

RioKing3999d ago (Edited 3999d ago )

@Kos - I disagreed until I read the last sentence.
Technically, you're correct; "underrated" games are games that were given lower scores than they deserved.

eddvdm3999d ago (Edited 3999d ago )

@BattleAxe

Alan Wake underrated? 80+ at metacritic (here: http://www.metacritic.com/g... ) is overrated if you ask me.

I don't have (although I did have one sometime ago, not at Alan Wake's time) a X360 then I was glad when they released it for PC, since I'm firstly an Adventure(/story-driven/tellin g) gamer. It lasted the 1-2 hours I played the game.

Maybe I was mistaken when I trusted this was a more story-centered game - with that I mean the most enjoyable part is the story, not how to unveil it - but as soon as I started it I felt its action nature. And immature story, at least near other games where it (tried to?) fits.

Put it near (for example sake) a Quantic Dream game and it's just a boring and repetitive action game with somewhat elaborated-but-generic story that doesn't make me want to continue to play.

I_LOVE_MYSELF3998d ago

Demon's Souls got decent enough reviews (sitting at 89% on metacritic). It isn't criminally underrated by the critics and certainly isn't by the gamers. I don't think it is worthy enough to put on a list like this. All in all I would say DeS did very well. Oh, it also won Gamespots GOTY award.

Dee_913998d ago

im gonna make a top 50 of top 5s

P_Bomb3998d ago (Edited 3998d ago )

89 meta average for a new ip, especially one that took chances like demons souls, isn't under-rated. I followed it diligently. It only dropped to 89 with its last review. And it sold great for an exclusive.

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jc485733999d ago (Edited 3999d ago )

more like underappreciated or undiscovered

B-radical3999d ago

alan wake has done so well also and achieved critical praise how is it underrated

ziggurcat3998d ago

from what i remember, its sales numbers weren't that great. that's probably why it's underrated.

Animavicion3999d ago

the guy in the picture looks like kaz hirai.

Kevlar0093999d ago

Waiting for someone to put the Xbox One caption above the masked man

Krimmson3999d ago

"This Summer, Chow Yun Fat as Kaz Hirai in the new blockbuster hit, "It Only Does Everything" coming soon to theaters.

RioKing3999d ago

You forgot the last quotation mark :)

Lord_Sloth3999d ago (Edited 3999d ago )

I'd watch it.

On topic, Demon's Souls is far from Underrated. The game caused quite a stir, got loads of attention, spawned a sequel, and even won GotY! How is that underrated?

My underrated games this gen...

Alpha Protocol
Folklore
Warhawk
MAG
Tenchu Z

Hellsvacancy3999d ago

Demons Souls definitely shouldnt be on the list, fantastic game, I kinda prefer it to Dark Souls, although I prefer Dark Souls for other reasons, both SUPERB games

Singularity was pretty good and underrated, and Warhammer 40k: SM, its really fun online

HellzAssassin3999d ago

I agree with you. Demon's Souls should not be on that list. Initially it was an underground title, but after alot of word of mouth, it's become very popular. On that note, I agree with you in the fact that Demon's Souls is vastly superior to Dark Souls.

But cool, another person who enjoyed Singularity! I thought the game was incredible, unique and very well done. Multiplayer was even pretty fun, though it suffered heavily from lag. Servers were complete ****

Whitefeather3999d ago

Dark Sector was very underrated

proudly_X3999d ago

A cool game that got forgotten easily. The fact that a majority of Xbox fans have preferential treatment for FPS might also be a deciding factor.

humbleopinion3998d ago

IS "preferential treatment for FPS" Why games like Gears of War and Assasins Creed are the two top selling franchises coming out this generation?

3999d ago
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100°

The Best Game Characters Who Were Based On Real People

Some of the best games are remembered as being amazing due to having such great characters. It takes a lot of effort to make a cast of characters truly likable. Have you ever considered how much effort goes into creating just one character? They are carefully sketched countless times, modeled and animated, voiced... Their personality is carefully sculpted along with the story, and eventually the character comes to life.

Sometimes, however, developers can get away with skipping some of these steps. Maybe it's a marketing cash-in on a famous figure. Maybe it's use of a franchise license. Maybe the developers were just fanboys of certain people like the rest of us are. Whatever the reasoning, the fact remains that recognizable figures have been finding their ways into video games for years now. Here is a list of the ten most stylized of these figures: the ten that have been blown up into something truly special.

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gamefaqs.com
Kharhaz4828d ago

Gackt has quite a few characters based off him in the Final Fantasy series, namely Squall and Genesis (and probably other games). Could have done a little better than mostly sports game spinoffs and pop culture games though, I mean come on, they're a dime a dozen.

rockleex4828d ago (Edited 4828d ago )

The actor Takeshi Kaneshiro as Samanosuke from Onimusha.

The main character from Onimusha 2 was also based on an oldschool Japanese actor.

alexi_6664828d ago

um... Jean Reno in Onimusha 3??

Pozzle4828d ago

I'm surprised they put Gackt's Bujingai character on the list instead of Genesis from Crisis Core. More people know about Genesis than Lau, tbh.

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30°

'Stranglehold' Possibly Getting Movie, Sequel Starts as Game?

Reportedly, two Hollywood writer types are working on a script for the film adaptation to John Woo Presents Stranglehold, which was a sequel to John Woo's Hard Boiled. Full circle, man. Now Hollywood is trying sequels out as games before they make them.

Jeremy Passmore and Andre Fabrizio are currently writing the script (or "penning" it as the Hollywood Reporter likes to call the practice), but there isn't any news of casting. Nor is there any whether Chow Yun-Fat will even be a part of the film based on a game that is a sequel to a film.

Now if only someone will make a movie of Peter Jackson Presents King Kong: The Movie: The Game. It would be Peter Jackson Presents King Kong: The Movie: The Game: The Movie. Awesome.

Cajun Chicken5543d ago

Pretty cool, that reminds me, I need to finish Stranglehold at some point, pretty good game though.

Danja5543d ago

well the game was actually pretty decent....wouldn't mind a sequel at all..dunno about the movie though unless the director of the game will also be directing the movie

thereapersson5543d ago

Isn't Stranglehold based off the movie "Hard Boiled"? Or is it just a coincidence that they both include Chow Yun Fat and are directed by John Woo?