What is Epic's rationale?

[nameless_one]

Lately they've been out pimping PS3 over Xbox 360. However they're making one of their flagship titles for Xbox 360 exclusively. I can't make any sense about why they would be supporting PS3 over Xbox 360, when the success of their game depends on the success of Xbox 360. What is going on here? I can't see Microsoft being happy about this..

 

[ERP]

Lately they've been out pimping PS3 over Xbox 360. However they're making one of their flagship titles for Xbox 360 exclusively. I can't make any sense about why they would be supporting PS3 over Xbox 360, when the success of their game depends on the success of Xbox 360. What is going on here? I can't see Microsoft being happy about this..

Actually I think they've been very careful not to pimp anything over anything else.

 

[BlueTsunami]

Lately they've been out pimping PS3 over Xbox 360. However they're making one of their flagship titles for Xbox 360 exclusively. I can't make any sense about why they would be supporting PS3 over Xbox 360, when the success of their game depends on the success of Xbox 360. What is going on here? I can't see Microsoft being happy about this..

Its becuase the 360 hasn't been giving her daddy his ~Bills~ so he had to slap it up...while the PS3 has been giving Big Daddy Pimp much much love...so of course he gonna have her strut her stuff

>.>

 

[Titanio]

From a technical perspective they seem to rather like PS3, but I'd agree with ERP in that they're careful to avoid playing favourites. There's a lot for them to like in PS3 though, so it may just be honest-to-goodness geek enthusiasm for technology.

 

[thatdude90210]

Epic + Nvidia = Strategic partners.

 

[Titanio]

Epic + Nvidia = Strategic partners.

MS = Epic publishing partner

And many of Epic's comments on PS3 have actually focussed around Cell rather than RSX - they have no vested interest in that part of the hardware, certainly.

 

[Inane_Dork]

Actually I think they've been very careful not to pimp anything over anything else.

I agree.

 

[Acert93]

Actually I think they've been very careful not to pimp anything over anything else.

I would agree. Even after the PS3 E3 debut they were quick to mention the Xbox 360. And in interviews that followed about the PS3 from gamesites they are always tossing in the Xbox 360. e.g. In a GameSpot interview they were discussing physics and Ageias on the PC and how the PS3's design could do that and they concluded that the PC will have as good of physics as the, "PS3 and Xbox 360".

Also, it depends on who is talking. Clif B. has been really quick to praise the "power" of the Xbox 360. Since he is the head of an Xbox 360 exclusive that makes sense. Ironically, it appears UT2007 will be coming to the Xbox 360 also (they just are not hyping that much, for obvious reasons). All about the money and market positioning. Think back to all the "exclusives" that 2 months later it is announced, "Oh, system x is also getting this game next month".

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Comments regards PS3 from devs have generally centered around Cell's power, which pretty much everyone accepts is more than XeCPU (in sheer processing terms). If they're just being honest you can't hold that against them.

On the flip-side, it's not as though any devs can comment on how great Xenos is as no-one has it yet.

 

[Titanio]

On the flip-side, it's not as though any devs can comment on how great Xenos is as no-one has it yet.

Or RSX

Re. "PS3 interviews", a lot of the more interesting PS3 comments actually came out of general Epic interviews, and even questions that didn't address PS3 specifically, or even consoles for that matter. They seem genuinely quite enthusiastic about it, volunteering their enthusiasm, if you will.

 

[eDoshin]

Is there a reason that Epic necessarily needs to please MS? MS cannot prevent Epic from releasing a game on 360 can they? Seems like MS has to keep Epic happy thru cash incentives and discounts .. not unless they want to see GOW walk across the street to PS3.

 

[Nite_Hawk]

I really think at this point that Microsoft needs Epic a lot more than epic needs microsoft. Epic will make boat loads of money no matter which platform they release on, but Microsoft needs the xbox360 to have a fantastic selection of games right from the launch. If Epic were to even hint that they were dissatisfied with the xbox360 it would be a major PR headache for MS.

Nite_Hawk

 

[Titanio]

Seems like MS has to keep Epic happy thru cash incentives and discounts .. not unless they want to see GOW walk across the street to PS3.

The deal is already done - Gears can't go anywhere MS doesn't want it to go.

But yeah, of course MS has to maintain good relations with Epic for the longer term.

 

[ralexand]

Epic does need the license fees from MS since MS made their engine the standard for all their first party titles. I agree with what's said above, the cell is the only next gen console cpu or gpu available at the moment. They haven't had a chance to work with any other real hardware ie. RSX,Xcpu, or Xgpu.

 

[Titanio]

MS made their engine the standard for all their first party titles.

This would be silly, and I doubt it's the case. Seems to be a common misconception though. MS has licensed it for first party use, that doesn't mean it's being used as standard across all first party titles.

 

[jvd]

Is there a reason that Epic necessarily needs to please MS? MS cannot prevent Epic from releasing a game on 360 can they? Seems like MS has to keep Epic happy thru cash incentives and discounts .. not unless they want to see GOW walk across the street to PS3.

that can't happen the deal is done. Aside from that it looks like both the x360 and the ps3 will get unreal 2k7 in the same month while the pc gets the timed exclusive

 

[DuckThor Evil]

Epic + Nvidia = Strategic partners.

I agree that this is it. Tim Sweeney wasn't really interested in PS3 until nVidia came along, and we know how much Tim loves nVidia.

 

[AlNom]

we know how much Tim loves money.

*cough*



I kid.

 

[Johnny Awesome]

I think the situation is simple: A lot of X360 devs are already interested in the U3 engine, Epic has to sell PS3 devs on it now. It's just a market expansion strategy for them to hype a Cell a little more now.

 

[RancidLunchmeat]

I really haven't seen Epic hyping PS3 any more than the X360.

The only reason people get that idea is because UT2K7 was demoed at the PS3 booth, rather than the X360.

As it was.. the X360 already had GoW to display themselves. So X360 showed an Epic exclusive while the PS3 showed a cross-platform game.

How is it again that people are getting the idea that Epic is hyping PS3?

You'd have to have some real dark Sony Specs on to come to the conclusion that Epic is pimping the PS3 with that information. And you'd have to be soaking your head in a toilet to still believe it when every interview Epic makes a point to reference the X360, even if the interview is about the PS3.

If anything, I'd pissed at Epic if I were Sony. No exclusive, constant mention of my competitor, etc.. Sony, unfortunately, can't really do anything because Epic makes the best engine.