Posted Jun 22, 2006 at 03:11AM by Karen R. Listed in: News Tags: Sony, Phil Harrison, PS1, PS2
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PS3For months now, there were talks that software developers are shying away from the PlayStation 3 due to the difficulty and high-costs of developing for Sony's console entails. But Sony frontman Phil Harrison says this is not really the case.

Harrison even pointed out that compared to PS2, their next-gen console will not only be easier to develop for - it will also be cheaper. As he explains, the PS2 heeded to developer's clamor to be able to "write direct to the metal" as opposed to the PS1 where there were software resource libraries available for developers to program with. And since the techniques for developing for the PS2 was a "bit hard", there were mixed reactions from developers.

With the PS3 cell chip, however, things will be "completely different". This time out, developers will no longer need to develop specialized skills, they only need to know of "general-purpose programming languages" to create games for the PS3. Since this will entail a smoother, less demanding coding process, Harrison concludes that "The PlayStation 3 is, definitely, easier and cheaper to develop for, relative to the same period on the PS2".


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17 Comments


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   by BaNdItO - 2006-06-22
 » Nice To Know

This news is nice to know, another rumour smahsed =)

(First Post!!! =)

   by KLUNKDM (Unregistered) - 2006-06-22
 » ......

I wouldn't say the rumour is smashed........It is coming from Sony and we can't always believe everything they say..........Easier and cheaper is more of and opinion.......And every game developer will tell you something different if you asked them..........Like most stuff with the PS3, I say just wait and see, because until it is done and out, then we really don't know what to expect for sure.............

   by hush404 - 2006-06-22
 » not every developer is complaining

Teams like kojima's team, naughty dog, insominca etc are fine with the tech and aren't complaining about it. Also, most developers will complain at least a little bit in the first because it's new technology and it requires the to start all over after they've gotten use to the older gen consoles.

   by ContrAss (Unregistered) - 2006-06-22
 » I'll believe sony on this one

for sure you shouldn't 100% believe what he says, but the only people who've *****ed about ps3 programming and software is Microsoft and Microsoft executives. Seriously, go through past articles and see for yourself. Usually its lead technical advisor of the xbox division explaining about the ps3 bottleneck or Microsoft game studios giving examples why its so hard to develop for the 7 spes. I'm not saying Microsoft doesn't know what they're talking about, it's just odd how they can be trusted more than exclusive sony developers.

   by Vietone - 2006-06-22
 » This was known long ago

This was known when they had demos at E3. Warhawk for example had 1 week notice to implement the motion sensing into the game. In 1 week they were able to program, and test the controller to make sure it works for E3.

Also since the Dev kits were released shortly before E3 which was just a matter of months, the overall progress was great.

Anything new will take a little time to get comfortable with, but in the end, it becomes easy once you go through a few times. Microsoft can bash the PS3 with any news they like, they know they have a system with hardware flaws. They know that the Xbox360 doesnt even come close to the functions of the Ps3. They know that the Xbox360 will never come close to the game library that can be played on the PS3.

For anyone who has ever programed in their life. You start out with a basic coding language, then you move on to more mainstream languages like C. Whats the difficulty in moving onto a more advanced language? Very little effort involved. Most languages are structured the same way and your code is always broken into modules.

   by What? (Unregistered) - 2006-06-22
 » What?

It wasn't microsoft that only said that. A ton of devs said that, especially smaller ones. Of course Kojima's team isn't going to *****, they have the funding of Metal Gear solid 1, 2, 3, and the Twin snakes, not to mention the previous games to develop for.

That's like a murderer with blood on his hands saying, "I don't like to hurt people". I guess we should trust him too /sarcasm.

   by Vecha - 2006-06-22
 » what the hell?

"ey know that the Xbox360 doesnt even come close to the functions of the Ps3. They know that the Xbox360 will never come close to the game library that can be played on the PS3."

what?...you are saying games on the ps3 can never be accomplished on the 360?....aren't you a flaming fanboy.

   by PS34Free (Unregistered) - 2006-06-22
 » How True?

He said easier meaning sloppier with more space to do it on. Man it is so furry to see how faithful you SonyFB's are thats good to know cause it shows that sony can shove anything down your mouth and you would just eat it makes me proud to know that we still have people like you in the world.


But yeah lets wait and see like earlier post mentioned, wow 25G to do what ever i wanted to sony thank you so much, but i can't imagine what all i could fit on here but i will try.

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   by Jon (Unregistered) - 2006-06-22
 » Sloppy

Quote"
This time out, developers will no longer need to develop specialized skills

Yeah he ment sloppy

   by ContrAss (Unregistered) - 2006-06-22
 » more reason to take their word for it, not yours

Jesus dude, it's funny how so many 360 fanboi's are war hungry mongrels, roaming other console's forums to attack voicing gaming enthusiasts. Christ man, take your 360 jihad and jump off. For sure i am wrong, but i admitted to not knowing fully so lemme clear that up.

Second, a plethora of you act like pro programmers who've actually touched ps3 software and know the ins and outs of the console. It's funny how you mention sloppy developing because of blu-ray, so does that mean microsoft's exclusion of a next-gen format mean they do smart programming? F-ing retarded. I hope to hear your comments soon.

   by MAU (Unregistered) - 2006-06-22
 » BUL*****!!!

BULL***** AGAIN!!!

   by 01010101 (Unregistered) - 2006-06-23
 » PS3

Duh it's way easier to dev. for, lol. Ppl are new to Cell but even already devers. know how to program for it.

Wait till late 2007 or sometime in 2008 and they be like to dev. on PS3 it is easy... lol. Cell have better and next gen new stuff on it and that dont make it hard to dev. for. It just means they have to find out what these new things are and what they can do and how to use them the right way and in the end the games look better becasue of Cell. That and RSX and everything else that is new/next gen in PS3, lol.

So yeah they will cast onto Cell in late 2007 to 2008 and even ppl that never dev. on Cell be4 will figger it out in I would say 3 to 5 months even.

Then get better and better as time gos by same for RSX as well and you will see games way way way better looking then any PS3 game your seeing right now.

   by 01010101 (Unregistered) - 2006-06-23
 » PS3

Also better looking games becasue of better new game engines and game engines made to PS3 specs.

And by useing Cell+RSX lol. And how Cell can make it own graphics and can do alot of stuff a gpu/video card can do but better and for what it can not do or can not do better that where the RSX comes in at.

And for Cell doing lots of other game makeing stuff.
To name 2 it would be raytracking/raycasting and it better on Cell then any gpu/video card. I think hdr is too, lol and other stuff.

Since Cell works with the RSX that gonna make the graphics even better and everything else that's in the PS3 like hdmi 1.3 and 120fps and 1080p and tons more new/next gen stuff, lol. And wait for the final RSX specs. :) And I bet RSX will have spes or smes but mosh likely spes and will have much as Cell does or 7 and they can read/write to Cell just like Cell spes can read/write to RSX.

Also helps that if Cell wants to or needs to it can use the 256mb of gddr3 of RSX for a full of 512mb just like RSX can have the 256mb of Cell xdr and make it full 512mb. The spes and ppe gonna really help alot too and everything else, lol.


   by 01010101 (Unregistered) - 2006-06-23
 » Oh yeah and no.10 just remained me lol

Also becasue of blu-ray and up to 50 or 54gb to make a game bigger, better graphics, more detail, more store line, more maps, and tons and tons of other gameing stuff to make the game better.

And becasue of blu-ray the discs are real hd proof for 720p, 1080i, 1080p.

   by AnimeBlack (Unregistered) - 2006-06-23
 » Hmmmm

This Shows that Sony Couldn't Think of Anything New AGAIN...
The Controller Design >>SAME>SAME

   by Clear (Unregistered) - 2006-06-23
 » My Opinion

This Shows that Sony Couldn't Think of Anything New AGAIN...The Controller Design >>SAME>SAME

   by MGSROCKS1 (Unregistered) - 2006-06-23
 » #16 your point is?

People are glad they kept the same controller design. This the best and easiest controller to learn so why fix something that isn't broken?



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