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jkam
11-28-2006, 10:44 AM
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=21378

Developers are playing waiting game with PS3, says GDC organiser
Ellie Gibson 13:41 28/11/2006
"A lot of Sony's effort has been focused on helping first party"

GDC boss Jamil Moledina has told GamesIndustry.biz that many studios are holding back on starting PlayStation 3 projects due to the challenges of developing for Sony's new console.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, Moledina said, "It's a relatively complex platform to develop for, considering it has a very unique multi-core processor with the Cell. A lot of developers are new to figuring out how to work with that structure, as well as the RSX, the graphics processor.

"A lot of the developers I know are waiting out on the first round and focusing on handhelds; they're creating DS and PSP titles because that's actually a much simpler migration from the current-gen," he continued.

"It's always a challenge for developers to dedicate resources to next-generation titles like this - consider the cost, resources, and time it takes to make these games."

But according to Moledina, things will change as third-party developers get more support from the platform holder. "A lot of Sony's effort has been focused on helping first party understand how to develop games for it," he stated.

"I think you're going to see that knowledge shared more robustly now that those first-party titles are in the can, as it were, or close to being complete."

Moledina said he is confident that the PlayStation 3 will be a success, despite the fact that, "A lot of the games that I really wanted to play aren't launching right now, like Heavenly Sword, Lair, MotorStorm... It reminds me very much of the original PlayStation 2 launch, where there were a hatful of pretty good titles.

"I've had a chance to play around with the PlayStation store, that looks pretty cool too. I think it's going to build up very nicely. So I'm generally optimistic about the platform's prospects," he concluded.

Moledina is currently busy organising GDC 2007, which will take place in San Francisco from March 5 - 9. Visit GamesIndustry.biz tomorrow to read the rest of the interview and find out how the plans are shaping up, plus Moledina's thoughts on the downsizing of E3.

I know there is ususally a drought after launch but I would think with the complexity of programming for the PS3 studios would be hard at work on PS3 games by now? Are there really that many studios holding back? Can the PS3 really afford to lose more time without some really great games that scream the PS3 is the place to be? This doesn't seem to add up. Thoughts?

furyk
11-28-2006, 10:52 AM
Old news. The smaller companies are holding back because of the expense of development. The bigger companies, the Square-Enixes, the Capcoms, the Bandai-Namcos the EAs, the Sega-Sammys, and so forth are still releasing high profile titles. Furthermore, the GDC has almost always been more favorable to Nintendo over Sony (at least in their awards if memory serves correctly).

Thomas96
11-28-2006, 12:29 PM
It's much better to jump on and start developing now forthe ps3, cause right now is that introductory period... you don't want to wait for millions of people to get the system and then start learning how to program for it. I say learn now, then come up strong... by then more consumers will have ps3s.

Brian9824
11-28-2006, 12:41 PM
Every time they use words like many i'd like to see a list or a definition of what they consider many.

thagoat
11-28-2006, 12:45 PM
they play the same tune every time sony launches a machine. they said the exact same thing when sony launched the ps2.

Zoglog
11-28-2006, 01:46 PM
thank god Sony has some very nice looking games in thier first party lineup