UK perspectives on the next-gen

[wco81]

BBC did some articles, interviewing UK developers, speculating on games helping HDTV adoption over there, consolidations of developers.

It appears Sony isn't the only one to get the hype train started:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4201391.stm

Gerhard Florin, head of EA in Europe, said gamers should expect titles that blur the line between films and video games.

Many will be sceptical - gamers were given similar predictions during the last transition of console hardware - but this time it would seem to be more likely.

"PS3 will provide graphics indistinguishable from movies," said Mr Florin.

Meanwhile, developers face rising costs, consolidation. But while they try to limit development staff size, there could be shortages of talent. Yet game development can't proceed as enthusiast projects:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4182455.stm

Finally, games could jump-start HDTV adoption? Very conservative HDTV estimates of 4.6 million by 2008. Yet Chris Deering of Sony predicts 20 million Euro households will have it by 2008.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4194619.stm

 

[digitalwanderer]

I thought the UK take on it would be pretty much the same as the US, 'cept ya gotta put your pinky in the air when you type it. :|

 

[one]

"We know maybe what the PS3 will do, but we can only guess," said Rory Armes, studio general manager for video game giant Electronic Arts in Europe.

"It's a horrendous effort in the first year," he admitted.

Microsoft had delivered development kits to EA, said Mr Armes, but he said the company was still waiting on Sony and Nintendo to send kits.

Although the details may not be nailed down, Mr Armes said EA was beginning to get a sense of the capabilities of the new machines.

"The rumours are that PlayStation 3 will have a little more under the hood [than Xbox 2]," he said.

"Microsoft is obviously a software company first and foremost, while Sony has more experience in hardware. I think Sony will be able to push more into a box at cost."

So no PS3 devkits at EA (Europe only?). Was the previous news bogus that some developers had devkits already?

 

[Farid]

So no PS3 devkits at EA (Europe only?). Was the previous news bogus that some developers had devkits already?

It's almost certain, judging from the number of sources, that SCEE has "something" to work with, since they did a few private presentations. SCEA and, of course, SCEI, must also have this "something".

What's remain unknown, at least to me, is the nature of this, is it some Cell Devkit, a rudimentary emulator, or simply some "numbers" about what to expect.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

"PS3 will provide graphics indistinguishable from movies," said Mr Florin.

Well if they keep saying it, sooner or later it'll be true!

 

[Urian]

My predictions for the non-portable console market in UK.

Sony: YEAAAH.
Microsoft: Cool.
Nintendo: Glu, glu, glu.

 

[passerby]

Hey! Even EA hasn't got anything yet! How cool is that?

PS3 launch titles are definitely going to rely on Japanese studios.

 

[Wunderchu]

from that BBC News article linked to in the first post:

"We know maybe what the PS3 will do, but we can only guess," said Rory Armes, studio general manager for video game giant Electronic Arts in Europe.

"It's a horrendous effort in the first year," he admitted.

Microsoft had delivered development kits to EA, said Mr Armes, but he said the company was still waiting on Sony and Nintendo to send kits.

Although the details may not be nailed down, Mr Armes said EA was beginning to get a sense of the capabilities of the new machines.

"The rumours are that PlayStation 3 will have a little more under the hood [than Xbox 2]," he said....

..."Microsoft is obviously a software company first and foremost, while Sony has more experience in hardware. I think Sony will be able to push more into a box at cost."

Microsoft believes it can beat Sony's hardware with Microsoft's software:

Q: What's the difference between Microsoft's XNA and Sony's Cell?
A: In the next generation, software-not hardware-will drive the games industry forward. Microsoft XNA software brings together chip and OEM partners to ultimately deliver thousands of integrated digital entertainment devices that work together and give consumers choice. Sony is talking about a fixed world of hardware that requires everyone to buy everything Sony. Sony's Cell is a hardware solution. This is a software revolution.

[source: http://www.microsoft.com/xna/faq.aspx ]

 

[passerby]

Interesting that they feel compelled to put that down in their official FAQ.

 

[wco81]

Interesting that they feel compelled to put that down in their official FAQ.

Yeah really.

At least wait til Sony gives the official specs. But perhaps that's intended for people on the Internet poring over the patents and discussing it on forums like this one.

 

[AzBat]

Interesting that they feel compelled to put that down in their official FAQ.

Yeah really.

At least wait til Sony gives the official specs. But perhaps that's intended for people on the Internet poring over the patents and discussing it on forums like this one.

That FAQ entry was posted with the original FAQ when it was posted after the announcement at GDC last year.

Tommy McClain