Which 'next gen' console will developers use as their development console?

Maniac618 · 7 Aug 2006 at 11:55

For cross platform next gen games, which console do you think the developer will initially programme for and then port from?

Being a 360 owner I hope they make the game for the most part with the 360 in mind and then just port over the 360 version for the ps3.

If developers primarily make the game for the ps3 and then 'port' to the 360, 360 owners could well be in for a ride of sub par framerates etc.

I know both consoles performances are pretty equal and that games get optimised for the console they are on, but I don't think they as much of that as you would think.

sanofi · 7 Aug 2006 at 12:05

If it is to be believed that the PS3 is really hard to develop for then it makes more sense to base the games around the 360 but only time will tell.

HTMLHugo · 7 Aug 2006 at 12:12

sure there was rumours many years go the ps2 was hard to develop for, didnt do it any harm

sanofi said:
If it is to be believed that the PS3 is really hard to develop for then it makes more sense to base the games around the 360 but only time will tell.

Kreeeee · 7 Aug 2006 at 12:14

HTMLHugo said:
sure there was rumours many years go the ps2 was hard to develop for, didnt do it any harm

It is a pig to develop on but it's the consumers that drive the market.

shrek2 · 7 Aug 2006 at 20:31

Maniac618 said:
For cross platform next gen games, which console do you think the developer will initially programme for and then port from?

Being a 360 owner I hope they make the game for the most part with the 360 in mind and then just port over the 360 version for the ps3.

If developers primarily make the game for the ps3 and then 'port' to the 360, 360 owners could well be in for a ride of sub par framerates etc.

I know both consoles performances are pretty equal and that games get optimised for the console they are on, but I don't think they as much of that as you would think.

Sub par framerates? We still dont know which one is more powerful.

daz · 7 Aug 2006 at 21:12

shrek2 said:
Sub par framerates? We still dont know which one is more powerful.

It doesn't matter - he's just pointing out that some developers will sloppily port a game over without taking care to ensure performance is up to scratch -i.e. there are no particular quirks with the programming.

Kamakazie! · 7 Aug 2006 at 21:47

Kreeeee said:
It is a pig to develop on but it's the consumers that drive the market.

indeed. ALso it was said that the PS2 was the hardest to develop for, not that it was stupid hard, which is what we are hearing about the PS3. The thing about the PS2 was that it had all the time it wanted for developers to take advantage of the hardware. THe PS3 won't get that same chnace because if titles aren't looking **** hot from the off then people are not going to be happy!

NokkonWud · 7 Aug 2006 at 22:27

It's common sense that games will be developed on the market leader and then ported to the others.

thefranklin · 7 Aug 2006 at 22:58

And in one year the market leader will be the ps3. Too many stupid people here in the US.

shrek2 · 8 Aug 2006 at 01:51

daz said:
It doesn't matter - he's just pointing out that some developers will sloppily port a game over without taking care to ensure performance is up to scratch -i.e. there are no particular quirks with the programming.

well the same can be said for ps3 gamers. Games can be sloppily ported over from the 360.

McManicMan · 8 Aug 2006 at 08:21

well seeing that development is meant to take longer and is known to be harder on the PS3 hopefully it'll be xbox360 then ported to PS3, of course there will be some excemption to this though i expect for some games.

Kreeeee · 8 Aug 2006 at 09:52

NokkonWud said:
It's common sense that games will be developed on the market leader and then ported to the others.

Usually it's the lowest powered console if there are a lot of versions being made because the more powerful ones can cope with the conversion better. You're right though, it is desireable to code for the most popular console first because it's a safer choice with less risks should the conversion be too hard to be feasible.

Caustic · 8 Aug 2006 at 18:13

It is sometimes the lowest spec'd but usually the most common, as that is their primary SKU. I would say that right now, the 360 is the dev console of choice.

ricky1981 · 8 Aug 2006 at 23:39

I'd say the 360 as it opens up the path for easy PC conversions as well, also by the time the PS3 and Wii are out there will be some pretty experienced developers on the 360.

Having said that I think the Wii will need a different approach as its not setting out to match either the PS3 or 360 for raw power, I wouldnt be too surprised if some titles don't make it to the Wii. I'll still be buying one though to compliment my 360 and might pick up a PS3 if Blu-Ray picks up.

Psyk · 8 Aug 2006 at 23:48

Caustic said:
It is sometimes the lowest spec'd but usually the most common, as that is their primary SKU.

It just so happened that the most common and lowest spec consoles were the same one last gen.

Caustic · 9 Aug 2006 at 15:34

Psyk said:
It just so happened that the most common and lowest spec consoles were the same one last gen.

Exactly, hence why PS2 games were so good despite its awkward hardware and poor specs.

daz · 9 Aug 2006 at 16:20

shrek2 said:
well the same can be said for ps3 gamers. Games can be sloppily ported over from the 360.

Of course it can, that was the point. Sloppy conversions are just bad news full stop.

Kreeeee · 9 Aug 2006 at 16:24

Caustic said:
Exactly, hence why PS2 games were so good despite its awkward hardware and poor specs.

They were'nt good compared to the GC and XBox.