UT3 Confirmed as Timed PS3/PC Exclusive

Bamelin

So UT3 has been confirmed as a PS3/PC exclusive.

It will hit the PS3 and PC in November this year but no UT3 love for 360 fans until 2008.

I just read the full article at Gamespot and I'm a little confused. I thought MS relationship with Epic was rock solid except for that little hicup regarding marketplace pricing for Gears maps.

I've also noticed that mods are going to be available on the PS3 an "open source" platform. What does this mean for the 360 version?

My heart is a little heavier today, my PC doesn't have the power to run UT3 and I don't own a PS3. I know it's only a couple months but I'm still depressed over this news.

Cowbomb

In a roundabout way, Microsoft are probably doing Epic a favor.

Would you want to release UT3 so soon after Halo 3 drops? Not to mention in the same month as Mass Effect...

Kami

Well, the big thing with Epic, is forcing Epic to abide by Games For Windows rules, limiting the amount of features they're allowed on the PC. Epic's not too happy, from the sounds of interviews in the past.

The 360 won't have the ability to use PC mods, simply because Microsoft thinks it's an easy way to create hacks, illegal mods, and things of the sort.

I'll definitely be going with the PC version, but man, the ability to use PC Mods on the PS3 is huge for its longevity.

swift

Bamelin wrote: »

My heart is a little heavier today, my PC doesn't have the power to run UT3 and I don't own a PS3. I know it's only a couple months but I'm still depressed over this news.

I know, the news made me sad too And the mods working on the PS3 was just another kick in the balls.

Though if it all works out as well as it sounds i may consider getting a PS3, the only thing that puts me off though is that im guessing that the game will support keyboard and mouse input on the PS3 which could give some people an advantage.

Bamelin

swift wrote: »

Bamelin wrote: »

My heart is a little heavier today, my PC doesn't have the power to run UT3 and I don't own a PS3. I know it's only a couple months but I'm still depressed over this news.

I know, the news made me sad too And the mods working on the PS3 was just another kick in the balls.

Though if it all works out as well as it sounds i may consider getting a PS3, the only thing that puts me off though is that im guessing that the game will support keyboard and mouse input on the PS3 which could give some people an advantage.

If the PS3 has M/KB support that would actually give me another reason to buy a PS3 ... although I'd have to change my living room setup dramatically. Hmm I need to think about it ... not sure if I want to have to use a M/KB on my console, despite my preference for M/KB in the UT series.

Kami,

What are these Games for Windows rules? And why does Epic have to follow them?

Kami

Bamelin wrote: »

Kami,

What are these Games for Windows rules? And why does Epic have to follow them?

There's a number of small things, but a key example is no Voice Over IP. Since Games For Windows has its own chat system, Epic lost the ability to implement their usual VOIP style into their game, something that's become a staple of the Unreal Tournament series. It may not seem like a huge deal, especially considering that there's still a chat client, but stripping power away from Epic for any reason in their own game doesn't make them very happy.

I need to find a rundown of all the changes being made, but Microsoft, and Games For Windows in turn, are taking control out of the hands of developers. The trade-off of the deal, though, is that if you're Games For Windows, you get fantastic marketing. Also, it's great for smaller developers who can't implement things like VOIP in their titles natrually. Games For Windows gives them the ability to have the feature, and not spend countless man hours (and money) developing a system for it.

fragglefart

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little bummed about this news, but thing is, it is still coming to 360, and frankly with all the other awesome coming this Winter, I'm happy to leave it until next year. Might even get a Virtua Fighter 5-style upgrade.

I mean, let's face it, most folks with a 360 are going to be getting their multiplayer love thang on with Halo 3.

And we still have good ol' Gears too.

Not to mention money, damn it, my Wii budget is already going on Rock Band now!

Kemal86

Kami wrote: »

Bamelin wrote: »

Kami,

What are these Games for Windows rules? And why does Epic have to follow them?

There's a number of small things, but a key example is no Voice Over IP. Since Games For Windows has its own chat system, Epic lost the ability to implement their usual VOIP style into their game, something that's become a staple of the Unreal Tournament series. It may not seem like a huge deal, especially considering that there's still a chat client, but stripping power away from Epic for any reason in their own game doesn't make them very happy.

I need to find a rundown of all the changes being made, but Microsoft, and Games For Windows in turn, are taking control out of the hands of developers. The trade-off of the deal, though, is that if you're Games For Windows, you get fantastic marketing. Also, it's great for smaller developers who can't implement things like VOIP in their titles natrually. Games For Windows gives them the ability to have the feature, and not spend countless man hours (and money) developing a system for it.

Well, Games for Windows Live is now a part of the Unreal 3 Engine/Editor...so it sounds like they're past being pissed at each other.

Bamelin

See this is what confuses me .... if Windows Live is part of the Unreal 3 Engine/Editor it means they are basically in bed with Microsoft. I can't see MS saying "PS3 Timed Exclusive? No problem guys!"

I guess I'm unclear how much clout MS has over at Epic right now.

FreddyD

Kami wrote: »

Bamelin wrote: »

Kami,

What are these Games for Windows rules? And why does Epic have to follow them?

There's a number of small things, but a key example is no Voice Over IP. Since Games For Windows has its own chat system, Epic lost the ability to implement their usual VOIP style into their game, something that's become a staple of the Unreal Tournament series. It may not seem like a huge deal, especially considering that there's still a chat client, but stripping power away from Epic for any reason in their own game doesn't make them very happy.

I need to find a rundown of all the changes being made, but Microsoft, and Games For Windows in turn, are taking control out of the hands of developers. The trade-off of the deal, though, is that if you're Games For Windows, you get fantastic marketing. Also, it's great for smaller developers who can't implement things like VOIP in their titles natrually. Games For Windows gives them the ability to have the feature, and not spend countless man hours (and money) developing a system for it.

That doesn't sound quite right. I remember MS saying that they offer a set of tools and APIs but will still allow devs the freedom to make their own solutions for online multiplayer interfaces and things of that nature.

I think that MS would be wise to concede to Epic's wishes, because Bungie and Rare cannot carry the platform by themselves.

bongi

It's in Epic's best interests to stay in bed with both MS and Sony and the moment; isn't U3E part of both the PS3 and 360 devkits or something?

Kami

FreddyD wrote: »

Kami wrote: »

Bamelin wrote: »

Kami,

What are these Games for Windows rules? And why does Epic have to follow them?

There's a number of small things, but a key example is no Voice Over IP. Since Games For Windows has its own chat system, Epic lost the ability to implement their usual VOIP style into their game, something that's become a staple of the Unreal Tournament series. It may not seem like a huge deal, especially considering that there's still a chat client, but stripping power away from Epic for any reason in their own game doesn't make them very happy.

I need to find a rundown of all the changes being made, but Microsoft, and Games For Windows in turn, are taking control out of the hands of developers. The trade-off of the deal, though, is that if you're Games For Windows, you get fantastic marketing. Also, it's great for smaller developers who can't implement things like VOIP in their titles natrually. Games For Windows gives them the ability to have the feature, and not spend countless man hours (and money) developing a system for it.

That doesn't sound quite right. I remember MS saying that they offer a set of tools and APIs but will still allow devs the freedom to make their own solutions for online multiplayer interfaces and things of that nature.

I think that MS would be wise to concede to Epic's wishes, because Bungie and Rare cannot carry the platform by themselves.

VOIP was said directly from the horse's mouth, during a 1up interview with Epic reps. They said they couldn't get into much detail (because Microsoft was paying their bills, so to speak ), but they didn't enjoy the 'limitations put on developers creating games for the Games For Windows platform'.