View Full Version : Sony's developers make top-tier PS3 game engines by sharing technology


joeblow
10-18-09, 02:07 PM
Great article (http://gamer.blorge.com/2009/10/18/first-party-studios-excel-on-ps3-because-of-synergy-with-other-developers/) on why Sony's first party games like Uncharted 2, Killzone 2, God of War III, etc. look so incredible compared to 99% of the third party stuff:

First party studios excel on PS3 because of synergy with other developers
October 18, 2009
by Mike Ferro

First party studios excel on PS3 because of synergy with other developers. Everyone by now knows that the PS3 is a tough machine to code on. It could be as difficult as attempting to code in assembly, which is pretty insane. There is a good amount of third party software or evidence showing how some studios have miserably failed to harness the power of the PS3. However, first party studios seem to be running circles around third party studios. The secret may lie in inter-studio synergy.

The PS3 is a pain to develop on. Many developers have made this point absolutely crystal clear. The PS3 actually forces you to develop in a new and different way that you may not be used to. This has caused some studios to release shoddy software for the PS3 compared to the PC and Xbox 360 versions.

However, most third party studios have come a long way as many are now using the PS3 as the lead platform to develop games on rather then the other way around. Today, most new games are on par across platforms now. Apparently, its easier to first develop on the PS3 utilizing the SPUs (core-processors) then bringing it together to port over to the Xbox 360 rather than trying to split up Xbox 360 code to port over to the PS3.

Although, the primary studios that seem to be really pushing the PS3 are the first party studios such as Insomniac, Naughty Dog and Guerilla Games. Insomniac is known for its insanely massive online modes in Resistance 2 and Pixar like graphics in Ratchet & Clank. Naughty Dog the developers of Uncharted 2 is responsible for what is arguably called the best looking game ever. Guerilla Games, the studio behind Killzone 2 received similar praise for pushing the envelope on presentation and graphics as well.

According to a recent interview with Eurogamer, Justin Richmond of Naughty Dog revealed why the studio is able to push the PS3 like none other. Richmond talked about Naughty Dog’s close relationships with other studios including Sony first party and even third party developers. Apparently, Naughty Dog, Sony Santa Monica, Insomniac and even Infinity Ward get together to play Dodgeball.

Richmond also indicated that Guerrilla Games came over and gave Naughty Dog some tech and vice versa as well. He also has lunch with Warren, a designer for Sony Santa Monica (God of War) every other week and they hang out with Infinity Ward quite a bit it seems. Its interesting to see that Infinity Ward has a close-knit relationship with Naughty Dog as the studio’s games show it. If you recall, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare ran super-fine on the PS3 despite launching shortly after the PS3 first came out. It looks like if Valve’s Gabe Newell ever wanted to learn something new, he should play Dodgeball with Naughty Dog.

Vizion47
10-18-09, 02:21 PM
It's nice that they are even with multiplat devs.

MrHunt
10-18-09, 02:58 PM
I heard they even thanked Bungie, a 360 exclusive dev. Naughty Dog is a great studio and they make amazing games. Can't wait to see what they do next.

Ravenous112
10-19-09, 12:32 AM
I remember hearing something along those lines in a behind the scenes for a game, I think it was either uncharted 1 or warhawk. one of the developers was talking about how they had a close relationship with the other sony studios and would bounce ideas off of eachother

Martez
10-19-09, 01:01 AM
I remember hearing something along those lines in a behind the scenes for a game, I think it was either uncharted 1 or warhawk. one of the developers was talking about how they had a close relationship with the other sony studios and would bounce ideas off of eachother

All the devs named in the article have mentioned having close relationships and sharing tech with each other before.

Why not link directly to the Eurogamer interview?

NickFoley
10-19-09, 11:54 AM
I heard they even thanked Bungie, a 360 exclusive dev. Naughty Dog is a great studio and they make amazing games. Can't wait to see what they do next.

Yep, they did. I finished the game last night and saw their names in the credits. Most of this tech is out there, it's up to the developer and game studio to use it to the fullest extent.

Naughty Dog is clearly a leader in this right now.