Epic not starting on 360 UTIII until 2008
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Nov 15th 2007 at 1:30PM }
So just what were all those trailers then, hmmm? In a recent interview with Riottt.com, Epic bigwig Mark Rein admitted that work on the Xbox 360 version of Unreal Tournament III had not yet begun. When asked about whether or not we'd ever see the 360 version, Rein responded that it was definitely on the way, and reiterated that finding a way to incorporate user created mods was causing the hold up. "So our job, when we finish the PS3 version, and weve taken a little break," said Rein, "is to sit down with Microsoft and to figure out how we can do Mods on their system." Rein was then asked when the 360 version might be ready and responded, "We wont even start working on it until early next year." Ouch. Here's hoping the game actually releases in 2008 as planned.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
xenocidic @ Nov 15th 2007 1:44PM
You win this time, PS3...this time...
Mohamed @ Nov 15th 2007 1:45PM
Heh, not to sound like a super 360 fanboy here (which I probably am anyway) but I have a feeling Epic's UTIII will feel a "sales sting" for releasing a game to PS3 and PC but not a 360.
Let's just say UTIII won't reproduce the Gears of War effect, because the Xbox Live gamer community won't be able to partake until 2008. Oh well, Good luck Epic! :)
Austin @ Nov 15th 2007 1:46PM
They haven't even started yet? Man, I told myself that I'd always go with the 360 version of every multi-platform game, but I'm probably going to have to get the ps3 version after hearing that. I hope that gamespy's match making is as good as xbox live's.
VOS @ Nov 15th 2007 1:47PM
More money loss for them the longer they wait. Besides, we have plenty of good games that this may get lost in the mix.
Page @ Nov 15th 2007 1:51PM
Seriously that is bull that they haven't even started on it yet - even if they haven't then the bulk of the work is done. Porting a PC game only to the 360 without the PS3 holding it up will only take a few months.
mark.j.smith @ Nov 15th 2007 2:48PM
...so...we're able to share user made maps with H3...and 'skins' with Forza...and he's saying Epic hasn't figured out a way to share user content? Wow.
Dadidito @ Nov 15th 2007 2:00PM
Its going to be a straight PC port for the most part to 360. Thats why they aren't sweating it. Lets see... but I doubt sales will be all that great till they release it then.
Digitalspirit @ Nov 15th 2007 2:06PM
Having played the PC demo I can't say I'm that bothered. Maybe grab it for the PC if I have nothing better to do, it will be better than the PS3 version anyway, it's the home of UT anyway.
SadisticHam @ Nov 15th 2007 2:11PM
Does anyone actually care?
Got enough Online shooters to keep me busy for a year i think Epics making the bigger mistake there game really isn't gods gift to the console world and making us wait for so long really isn't going to help them much at all.
And from what i hear it's not much good anyway.
lharmon @ Nov 15th 2007 2:14PM
OH man... that sucks. I'm wanting this game less and less now... They better hurry before I decided to skip it on a matter of principle.
Magic Whiskey @ Nov 15th 2007 2:12PM
Legally per the timed exclusive negotiation with Sony, they have to say they're not starting on UTIII until 2008, but you and I know they're knee deep in it. It's not like they have to go back and re-code EVERYTHING!
Odds are they have very nice downloadable content in the wings, too.
Tony @ Nov 15th 2007 2:13PM
In a lot of ways it doesn't matter if they've started or not because the 360 is so PC-centric to begin with.
I had assumed that that conference months back where MS talked about file sharing was in reference to the needs about this game. I guess not.
It's never going to work like it does on the PS3 to begin with. People can make mods/maps on the PC and then export it for PS3 use. They have to figure out the hosting situation themselves and then PS3 users can use their browser to find the files and download them.
The 360 doesn't even have a browser, it's going to be a more closed-off situation by default. I have to imagine they'll find a compromise, because like mentioned, they're going to shoot themselves in the foot if this doesn't eventually release for the 360. It would be a major revenue stream as I just don't see this game exploding on PS3, honestly.
I think a lot of it is just coming down to the fact that the 360 is saturated with FPS titles for the holidays to begin with. Setting it up in Spring or whatever else would help.
dunnypop @ Nov 15th 2007 2:15PM
I wonder if Epic will feel a backlash from 360 users? I mean, did they forget about what we did for them for Gears of War?
mat parker @ Nov 15th 2007 2:19PM
Quake Wars
Team Fortress 2
these will tie me over nicely till UT3
CarpeD1em500 @ Nov 15th 2007 2:22PM
Honestly I have like at least 10 games and several movies and tv series to catch up on over the next 4 months or so, so I welcome a delay with open arms. I say UTIII in like ... late spring, summer-ish...
GOW2 ... late fall
:) :) :) :)
Matt @ Nov 15th 2007 2:25PM
I honestly don't really care at this point. I was excited about this game several months ago, but not anymore.
@2 I agree. As far as units sold, so far the PS3 is weak. Take a look at the numbers for Call of Duty 4, for example. There were over 500,000 copies sold for the 360. Despite PS3 fanboys complaining about not having good games, they finally get one in COD4 and they pick up only 179,000 units. What's even more surprising is Guitar Hero 3. In 2 weeks over a million have been sold for 360. Again, despite PS3 owners complaining about not getting GH2 last spring, only 148,000 units have been sold for PS3. Obviously, this is the power of the install base for 360.
Bottom line, when Epic announced UTIII as a times exclusive for PS3 we all saw right through the politics. It was a win win situation for Epic. Stay loyal to the extremely loyal 360 fanbase with Gears of War and keep Sony happy by announcing a "timed exclusive" for PS3, when we all knew games like Call of Duty 4 and Halo 3 would be taking the limelight this holiday season and for the coming months on 360. Just keep Gears of War 2 exclusive to 360 and I'll be happy.
AtomicAgeZombie @ Nov 15th 2007 2:28PM
@dunnypop
yes they did forget. couldn't you tell by how they're treating us with GoW on the PC vs 360? PC gets extra levels and a new boss fight. WTF is that all about?
Knight Marquise @ Nov 15th 2007 2:31PM
Mark Rein is a douche bag. Always has been, always will be.
Leathersoup @ Nov 15th 2007 2:40PM
As it sits I've never been too happy with Unreal Tournament deathmatch. It's just never been high on my list of pvp games.
I would much rather play Team Fortress 2 anyday.
Dale @ Nov 15th 2007 2:41PM
@DunnyPop and AtomicAgeZombie:
Whenever a game is ported from one system to another a while after the original release, there are usually additions and revisions. Resident Evil 4 on PS2, Virtua Fighter 5 on Xbox 260 and both the PS3 and Wii versions of The Godfather spring to mind.
It's not something Epic are doing to spite Xbox 360 owners.
Dazz @ Nov 15th 2007 2:48PM
You do not need a browser to share maps... see Halo3... it's pretty easy to download them from your PC then download them. It saved you from having lots of crap on your pc. Considering the development kit MS has in place from PC and X360, it should be a wisk to code convert it, it will take them less than 3 months incl. Q&A.
edward camp @ Nov 15th 2007 2:49PM
@ matt gears is a microsoft IP so it will never come to PS3. As for UT3 Im getting the collectors edition on PC.I could give a rats ass if its a timed exclusive for sony. after christmas there will be 3-1 ratio of systems sold 360-PS3 and the rest is history
David W. @ Nov 15th 2007 2:48PM
Gears of War
Halo 3
Team Fortress 2
Rainbow Six Vegas
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
COD4
...ya know...for some reason this news doesn't bother me much, haha
ericdrum @ Nov 15th 2007 2:51PM
Total BS. Rein is lying. I quote the July issue of OXM. “Previous demos of the game were only shown on high-end PCs, but here we are, fighting a deadly bloodsport in outer space, on real 360 debug kits for the first time. Rein, vice president of developer Epic games, couldn’t wait for us to try the game ourselves.” This is from the official xbox magazine! And based upon the street date of this issue, I’m guessing this had to happen as early as April or May.
KingMe @ Nov 15th 2007 2:54PM
I like how all the Xbots here are basically saying UT3 sucks now just because it's going to be on PS3, and for a while before hitting 360....not just until spring of '08. Why are you guys getting so upset? How long do you want to keep up the argument of "PS3 has no games"? It was going to end eventually. Is now too soon for you guys?
Hahahaha
@7
Having played the PC demo I can't say I'm that bothered. Maybe grab it for the PC if I have nothing better to do, it will be better than the PS3 version anyway, it's the home of UT anyway.
@4
More money loss for them the longer they wait. Besides, we have plenty of good games that this may get lost in the mix.
@8
Got enough Online shooters to keep me busy for a year i think Epics making the bigger mistake there game really isn't gods gift to the console world and making us wait for so long really isn't going to help them much at all.
@11
OH man... that sucks. I'm wanting this game less and less now... They better hurry before I decided to skip it on a matter of principle.
hahahaha to all that because you guys are all sooooo stuck in your thoughts that the PS3 sucks that you fail to realize that the support for it is growing.
And @15
No PS3 "fanboy" is complaining about the PS3 not having any games. It's you Xbots that are the ones saying "PS3 is crap cause it has no games". PS3 players, on the other hand, are enjoying R&C, Warhawk, Heavenly Sword, EOJ, Motorstorm, soon Uncharted, etc etc, plus all the multiplatform games. I think you guys all need to just come to grips that the inevitable starting to begin, for the THIRD time. Just like PS1 vs. Sega Saturn, then N64 in the beginning, then PS2 vs Dreamcast in the beginning. You know what I'm getting at.
Tony @ Nov 15th 2007 2:54PM
That set up is incredibly different from what Epic is planning on doing with UT3.
You're not making any maps with Halo 3. You're rearranging objects and settings. By that standard alone, all of the necessary items are already IN THE GAME and anything that needs to be shared would essentially have been tested and small in size.
This isn't true of UT3. It's not true of any UT game or mods for Half-Life 2 or anything else. Some of these things are substantial changes. I mean, has anyone played that overhead shooter mod someone did for the last UT? That's not simply editing some power-ups and game settings and moving some level objects around.
Epic would have to essentially host these items themselves (or have MS do it), which they clearly don't seem willing to do. Even for the PS3 maps, users will have to figure out that end themselves (using places like Fileplanet I imagine).
So what, Epic would have to test every one of these, then MS would have to put it through their own system of checks and balances. Once it finally emerges weeks later, then what? No one is going to charge for user made content without getting a huge backlash and I can't imagine MS will deal with the bandwidth... which then puts it back on Epic's shoulders if anything. Which, as I mentioned, seems like a big portion of what they're specifically trying to avoid.
I just don't understand how people don't see a difference between a full blown game editor like UT3 has and Forge or custom paint jobs in Forza 2. That doesn't mean those things aren't cool, but I they're not even on the same level in terms of complexity.
stinger503 @ Nov 15th 2007 2:57PM
In many ways this is actually an awesome thing for the 360, look at Fall/Winter 2007: H3 Bioshock, Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect, Cod4, Orange box. Isn't it full enough? Instead of UTIII getting in this mix, their coming in 2008, with alot less competition, and a stream of DLC hopefully. UTIII can wait till then
ogvor @ Nov 15th 2007 3:08PM
I suggest podcast listeners grab the Games for Windows podcast for 10/25/07 which talks about Unreal Tournament III. Theirs some really freakning funny stuff in their about how you have a taunt button that says some things like: Eff Yeah! and Ohh Thats Gonna Hurt!
They also don't sound very pleased with it, in comparison to the Orange Box and Crysis. I'm not complaining though, I got too many games to play as it is.
SadisticHam @ Nov 15th 2007 3:10PM
@ Kingme.
Looking through everyone you quoted. Not one said the PS3 Sucks you dolt.
And then you quoted me? Are you a retard or what? Do i need to list the shooters currently ON the 360 that have come out over the past few months? There's more than i can count on one hand and THAT is more than enough.
It's not jealousy kid it's just how it is. If i was jealous no doubt I'd march over to PS3fanboy and start posting dickheaded comments all..oh..sorry, i didn't mean to imply you're a..oh wait, yes i did.
Biscuit @ Nov 15th 2007 3:23PM
oh well, UT3 sucks anyway.
agelgamer @ Nov 15th 2007 3:23PM
ah shit. I was really looking forward to this title this year. However, I'm not too concerned. Like people have already said, there's a ton of shooters to keep us pre-occupied till next year.
Biscuit @ Nov 15th 2007 3:24PM
(p.s. not because it's coming out on PS3 first, but because I've played it and it sucks. UT2k4 was VASTLY superior.)
useedems @ Nov 15th 2007 3:30PM
"They have to figure out the hosting situation themselves and then PS3 users can use their browser to find the files and download them."
Actually PS3 users just download them onto a USB thumb drive on a home computer, then plug it into the PS3 and transfer whatever. Pretty simple process really.
BananaBoat @ Nov 15th 2007 3:31PM
My god...what a mistake...I own a PS3, but not being able to play on Xbox Live is a major blow.
Hasn't even been STARTED yet? They couldn't finish everything BUT the mods? Bullsh*t. I'll tell you what really happened, they feel it's more profitable to make Gears of War 2, and thus most of their staff is working on it instead of Unreal Tournament III.
I think it's time to stop BSing us, or people will always put you in the same sentence with the creator of God of War. Oh wait...
KingMe @ Nov 15th 2007 3:43PM
@29
Everyone of those quotes I put basically said that UT3 sucks because it's not coming to 360 anytime soon, and that it will suffer being PS3 only, which would imply that you guys are saying the PS3 sucks. Did you ever stop and think that this could be a system mover? You know, like how Dynasty Warriors 6 pushed the PS3 to over 100,000 units sold in Japan alone last week?
And then all you guys are like, we have all these shooters, so UT3 doesn't even matter....the time everyone of you planned to be able to purchase UT3 was around Q2 2008. You would've been done with Mass Effect and Bioshock by then, and I'm sure you would've wanted to move to something besides Halo by then. Well, now it coming out later than that, so don't try and defend its' non-release at that time by talking about games that are out NOW, when UT3 was thought to come out in the Spring. I could understand a PS3 owner saying, "Well I can't get UT3 now, because I plan to pick up Haze and Uncharted" but for you to say that UT3 is crap because you want to relate it to games that are out now is nonsense. What games does the 360 have planned for Q2 08? Nothing much....so I'm sure if the game came out then, you all would've gobbled it up. I doubt you'd be like, "I bought Halo last year, so I'm not going to pick up anything new now"
THAT'S the point I was getting at. Don't say that you have all these games now and it doesn't matter, like UT3 is coming out tomorrow. It was thought to be coming out during a time where the 360 wasn't seeing much, so everyone would pick it up, not say "We bought games last year, so we're not getting it now"
JAKEJAX @ Nov 15th 2007 3:51PM
So what is the difference between UTIII's user created mods and Halo 3's forge?
AtomicAgeZombie @ Nov 15th 2007 4:11PM
@Dale
There's nothing wrong with them adding content to a later release, the problem is that they are not offering that extra content to the 360 owners. There is no reason that those extra levels cannot be sold on Live as an addon/expansion for fans.
Digitalspirit @ Nov 15th 2007 4:21PM
@ KingMe
I said I wasn't bothered about UT3 because after playing the demo, the game didn't really do it for me. I have a Core Quad Q6600, 4Gb Ram, Radeon HD 2900 running Vista x64 - do you REALLY think I give a shit about the PS3? I've been playing Crysis this week, neither the PS3 or Xbox 360 could deal with in it's current form and it's fucking jawdropping. IF I was to get UT3 it would be for the PC, because like I stated in my original post, it would be the preferred format.
Triforceowner @ Nov 15th 2007 4:23PM
I want to know what OXM has to say about all this. They played the game months ago.
Sathan @ Nov 15th 2007 4:41PM
I don't know why he is saying that but, a few months ago UT3 was the cover story for OXM where they played the 360 version and it had better graphics than Gears. One of the Epic guys said that the 360 controls were so good that half of the staff preferred the 360 controller over mouse and keyboard.
Does he really believe that lying about the state of the 360 version will boost the sales of the other versions that much?
ericdrum @ Nov 15th 2007 4:56PM
@39 & 40: Read 24.
lharmon @ Nov 15th 2007 5:09PM
@ Kingme
I was looking forward to this release. There is a 3 or 4 page article in a may/june issue of OXM that stated that the 360 version would be out for X-mas. I could care less about PS3. I wasn't stating that I would not buy it because it was out on the PS3 rather than the 360 as you took the liberty of assuming. I don't like when a game studio sets a time frame, makes a big production of it, even bills it as "Gears of War on crack"... and then backs out. The PS3 doesn't even enter into the equation for me on my decision to buy or not buy this product.
Triforceowner @ Nov 15th 2007 5:09PM
-ericdrum
I sent along a little email of quotes and what not to OXM. Maybe they will talk about it in the next podcast. I doubt, but maybe, they would run it in the magazine. Could they have lied about it being a 360 demo? Maybe it was just the PC version with Windows Live compatible 360 controller.
Black @ Nov 15th 2007 5:33PM
We all know the 360 version is ready to ship to stores, just have to wait for the PS3 version to come out
Anticrawl @ Nov 15th 2007 5:36PM
Either I'll get this on my PC or just ignore it all together and I'm a huge Unreal fan and remember my sleepless nights for years with Unreal Tournament from its conception all the way to the 2004 version. But honestly I may skip this because of their high and mighty attitude. I don't have to buy your game Epic, no one does, so you better cater to us or just be another developer gobbeled up by some lame publishing company.
BananaBoat @ Nov 15th 2007 6:04PM
kingme:
Some of us have lives, and thus Mass Effect, Assassins Creed, Mario Galaxy, Halo 3, Bioshock, etc will last us well into Q2 2008.
Reading those Xbox magazine articles where they freaking played UTIII on the 360, I'd say this announcement is M.R sucking Sony's dong. Sony gave his company help porting UTIII to the PS3, and now he's returning the favor by trying to make people think they can't buy his game on the 360.
If it weren't for how much I like Cliffy, I'd probably not buy this game on ANY platform, just to spite this A hole
ericdrum @ Nov 15th 2007 6:06PM
More evidence to misinformation. Read about how they played on 360s.
http://www.gameplayer.com.au/Xbox360/PREVIEWS/PREVIEWGAME/tabid/1520/Default.aspx?CID=e218aa73-3e02-4b77-8991-8a16bada952b&v7Pager=3
Tony @ Nov 15th 2007 6:31PM
@20
The Forza skins are shared between Xboxs. The mods will be shared between pc and ps3. They will most likely be hosted on a website for you to download and the xbox doesn't have an internet browser.
@36
In forge you just move things around. In UTIII you can make the map and change anything you want, like make characters and weapons (i think).
Knight Marquise @ Nov 15th 2007 6:31PM
@ericdrum,
Thanks for the link. I knew I read that in my OXM several months back. As I've said repeatedly: Mark Rein is a douche.
@kingme:
You're a douche as well. Be damn glad you're on a professional blog that allows desenting opinions. PS3 Bots get to post their drivel without any ramifications over here. Now...goto PS3fanboy and try posting FACT...if it shows the PS3 in a less then stellar light...you get booted. Oh...did I mention you were a douche?
AG @ Nov 15th 2007 6:54PM
The reason that they did the PS3 version first is three fold.
1: The market this Christmas for 360 is already saturated with AA titles.
2: The PS3 has few games and a big franchise like Unreal stands to sell well.
3: Unreal sold like ass on the OG Xbox.
Mark, you can keep your crappy Unreal. That game was only ever good with a mouse and keyboard anyways. 360 already had a Halo like game, you know? That's right, it's called Halo 3.