In a recent interview with
videogaming247.com, Mark Randel, president of
Ghostbusters developer Terminal Reality, laid down some new fodder for flamewars everywhere by multplatform development is keeping the team from doing everything they could with the game. Specifically, Randel said that the PS3's seven processors allow for much more than the 360's three. For example, Randel says that the PS3 could handle "double the amount of objects on screen." Thanks to the team's goal of making the game equal on both platforms, that won't be happening. He gives a further example that the PS3 version of the game has an entire processor dedicated to the game's audio, whereas the 360 version only has a portion of a single processor dedicated to audio. He concludes his remarks by noting "If we're doing a PS3 only game however, we could be doing a lot more. We could be pushing a lot more on the screen."
It's worth noting that
Ghostbusters is a Sony property. Feel free to consider that in your conspiracy theories. We'll just be hiding behind this flame-proof barrier if you need us.
[Via
Joystiq]
{ Apr 30th 2008 at 3:00PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ManicBomber @ Apr 30th 2008 3:07PM
...I already said before Sony has deep pockets and there are a lot of people that wouldn't mind wooing them and getting some of those funds.
Worked for Rockstar for years.
mattclarkie @ Apr 30th 2008 3:10PM
I wouldn't be suprised if it is true, but it doesn't stop me buying the 360 versions, especially as the PS3 controller is pants.
Luke @ Apr 30th 2008 3:10PM
"Randel says that the PS3 could handle "double the amount of objects on screen."
Hey Randel, could you explain why no PS3 game multiplatform or exclusive has had anything other than minor visual improvements over 360 games? (Uncharted looks great, sure but it does not have that much more going on than any top 360 game)
I could throw in a "I own both consoles so I'm not a fanboy" but that would be so cliché.
marauder800 @ Apr 30th 2008 3:39PM
Uncharted was a beautiful game, no doubt, but I think it's interesting to point out that it had more texture popping and other anomalies than PS3fanboy's favorite target, Mass Effect. I own both systems as well, and the graphical differences between the systems is negligible. If I get Ghostbusters, it will be on the 360, as all my multi-platform titles will be (except Soul Caliber). For the record, I own 17 or 18 360 games and 2 PS3 games (only one that I actually play). 360 FTW
JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 30th 2008 4:35PM
Oh come on...Vader isn't THAT cool!
Bravo6 @ Apr 30th 2008 3:14PM
true or not - ouch!
Trogdor @ Apr 30th 2008 3:16PM
I call BS. If it was really that much of a sacrifice why wouldn't they just scrap the 360 version?
How is it that a game like GTAIV runs pretty much identically on each system, yet Ghostbusters is being held back by the 360? Somebody is in Sony's pocket.
Ace b @ Apr 30th 2008 9:14PM
they would want to keep it on more than one platform so that it would make more cash.
UNSCleric @ Apr 30th 2008 3:16PM
I'll believe it when I see a PS3 game actually do it. No PS3 game looks any better than some Xbox 360 games, and every multi-platform game plays and looks worse on the PS3. In the case of GTA IV, both the game, and the online, are broken.
emirabal @ Apr 30th 2008 3:20PM
Ok first of all, so what
second of all
just cause you can throw twice as many characters or enemies on the screen also implies that they should be doing different things, which means that either the game is gonna be to easy, or way to hard, and if they are all on the screen then they should have different engines thinking for them (u know AI stuff and programming) and if thats the case then the extra processors are gonna have to handle that, and if you are gonna pull that off the system then that means u are gonna have to install off the hard drive because the blue ray wont be able to give info fast enough to the 7 processors because it cant spit info out that fast which means that you are generally turning your machine to a pc since it cant handle the reading off the disc, which means that your hard drive capacity is gonna get lower and lower and then people are gonna have to take stuff off of it to play new games and then if they want to play the games they took off they are just gonna say forget it because they dont want to install it again and it creates a vicious hate cycle iwth the ps3 and ....u know what, forget it
Ill stick to my 360
give me GOW3 and FFX3 and ill be on my way.
DjDATZ @ Apr 30th 2008 3:24PM
Hey, I have a question for you.
You see this ---> .
DjDATZ @ Apr 30th 2008 3:26PM
Well that's dumb...my comment got cut off. Lets try this again...
Hey, I have a question for you.
You see this ---> .
brytdavis @ Apr 30th 2008 3:22PM
*cough* bullshit! *cough*
mernmern @ Apr 30th 2008 3:25PM
My game is going to be so awesome! No really! I had to limit the amount of stuff on the screen! Honestly!
Michael Paul @ Apr 30th 2008 3:27PM
Makes me wonder how Virtual PC software is making any headway if one processor can't do more than one job at a time.
Oh, wait, they CAN if you know how...
DjDATZ @ Apr 30th 2008 3:27PM
< --- character? LEARN HOW TO USE IT.
I'm not going to even bother reading what you said because it looks like it's just one massive 20-30 line paragraph, which is disgusting.
That's the rest...
emirabal @ Apr 30th 2008 3:47PM
Thats teh point, it was pointless, it was meant to be stupid and idiotic, A RANT, thx
DjDATZ @ Apr 30th 2008 3:51PM
You still failed miserably at ranting. An you have to be REALLY talented (read: stupid) to do that.
Tony @ Apr 30th 2008 3:29PM
Why not finish the PS3 version first and then adjust the 360 one?
It is odd that no other developer so far has made a major stink about this, but whatever. Considering the PS3 came out a year later, cost more and was supposedly going to amaze me at every turn I'd hope it would have better versions of games like this.
diamondxp @ Apr 30th 2008 3:33PM
As Niko would Say "Fah Queue"
The True Gamer @ Apr 30th 2008 3:53PM
+1 for that comment!
PerfectStrategy @ Apr 30th 2008 3:43PM
Talk is cheap.
andyg8180 @ Apr 30th 2008 3:44PM
and the PS3 held back GTA's release... remember that?
screw these guys
GTAIV > > > > > > > Ghostbusters...
xPAULIEx @ Apr 30th 2008 3:53PM
It wasn't just the PS3 that held back GTA's release. It was the 360's limited disk space just so you know.
Bnugget @ Apr 30th 2008 4:04PM
If they can litter the screen with twice the stuff on the PS3 then I say go for it, why even bother with the 360 version, oh wait they like to make money. Maybe Terminal Reality will finally get around to that PS3 exclusive that will just rock all our socks off after this.
Grimm @ Apr 30th 2008 4:18PM
That's probably true if your a terrible developer. Let's see first of all the 360's cores are split into 3 "mini" cores. What this means is that it's like having 9 cores running at once. The cell processor on the other hand is only capable of running it's 7 cores. What games has Terminal made before? Oh yeah some of the worst games I've ever played at any point in time. I'm sorry but I don't believe technical advice given from a company who's best game was Bloodrayne. Good job Terminal I definitely won't be purchasing this game.
Anticrawl @ Apr 30th 2008 4:28PM
Don't be an idiot. There is a big difference between the 8 (1 redundant) SPEs on the PS3's Cell and the 3 cores of the 360's PowerPC chip. The Cell is dual threaded with each SPE as a single thread. It is a nightmare to code for and quite frankly not all that efficient.
So to reinforce what you just learned, the Cell is dual-THREADED with 7 active single-thread SPE's.
The 360's modified Xenon has 3 cores. That is 3 independant cores on one chip, each core is dual-threaded. The theoretical performance of both the PS3's CPU and the 360's are nearly identical, moron.
Please sign this contract to agree to not breed, we don't need your shitty genes in our pool; it slows evolution.
c. thomas @ Apr 30th 2008 4:28PM
Sucking Sony's Dick
Adam @ Apr 30th 2008 4:22PM
Bullshit
Heres why
A shitty dev has found a way to make the ps3 handle more on screen action?Really why not do it with the other 360 exclusives by devs who are more skilled we havent seen any of that yet?
naughty dog anyone?
Gow2 is going to be capable of displaying shitloads on screen it was already stated.Your saying the 360 cant handle it?
One chip is for audio alone?
Im not gonna even get into audio becuase im a producer/sound engineer and i know a thing about the ps3 and its audio and where it can be programmed to so that line is bullshit.
I have been working on audio for a upcoming ps3 exclusive "chills" and i can tell you its bullshit.
So take this bullshit and and take your sony paycheck and go elsewhere.This game is gonna be bullshit anyway.Whats next a new ninja turtles games?
make this shit for the wii.Thats the only audience you will get.
icedemon @ Apr 30th 2008 4:28PM
I say if it supposely runs better on the PS3 then just make it for the PS3. I doubt 360 fans is going to miss not having a Ghostbusters game.
Loban @ Apr 30th 2008 4:31PM
Who gives a crap. This is something developers have been dealing with for a long time when trying to have a multi-platform game. Get used to it. Sure the PS3 may be the powerhouse this generation, but the next Xbox may make the next PS look like a toaster. Who knows. It's getting the point where it just doesn't matter if I can show 100 books flying around a room, or 120.
Trekster_Gamer @ Apr 30th 2008 4:39PM
They need to replace there president so he can stay in bed with Sony 24/7. That is such a load, yes I only own a 360 but I have yet to see a game that leads any credence to his bogus comments.
Grimm @ Apr 30th 2008 4:39PM
@Anticrawl
Wow man you should seriously consider getting laid sometime this century. The entire point to what I said was the the PS3 isn't as impressive as Terminal is trying to portray it. I couldn't remember all the technical specs on each console because I have some sort of life. My main point to the comment was that Terminal is a poor developing company and in all reality their opinion really doesn't matter. When the best thing you've created is Bloodrayne you should be out of business. Now quit bein a fuckin dick...
James @ Apr 30th 2008 4:54PM
This is the first time I've heard a developer talk about programming for the PS3 as "better". Up to now I've heard it's design is horrible for developers. Also, I think it's interesting when a developer starts to complain about hardware, and how many objects can be on screen at once, and then Epic demos their engine with hundreds of detailed characters all running different patterns and obstacle detection. If you rely on hardware too much, then you aren't a good developer, and your games will suck either way.
Grimm @ Apr 30th 2008 5:04PM
Your 100% right dude...except they've never proven to be a good developer. Check out this track record of utter crap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_Reality
K1LLER HORNET @ Apr 30th 2008 5:06PM
thinking of that Locust Horde makes me smile.
i'd say this game should just be released on PS3 & see the crappy sales figures, then he'll realise he should have properly worked on the X360 version [UT3 anyone?]
everyone knows that a large % of PS3 owners dont even play games - devs have to release on X360 if they want to actually make £$€.
Van Faulk @ Apr 30th 2008 5:13PM
Of course they are teling the truth. What they aren't telling you is that they'd have to downgrade to 370p in order to do it.
I joke.
I think we can take this with a huge grain of salt. The ps3 doesn't have 7 processors. It has 1. I has one with 6 spus. But those are not processors. The fact that they do not know this speaks more to their ignorance of the basic technology than any kind of power difference. Also, take a gander at Terminal Reality's past games. Roadkill, bloodrayne,Aeon Flux? These guys barely know anything about game development, let alone the systems.
Logan T. @ Apr 30th 2008 5:47PM
I think if that's true they should just go right ahead and make the PS3 version better. I know I sure as hell wouldn't blame them for doing more on the PS3 if it's indeed capable of more.
Brian Fantana @ Apr 30th 2008 9:16PM
Bullshit. Plain and simple. They have bad programmers or engineers or whatever, that's it. If Rockstar can make GTA IV equal, or close to it, on both platforms, then no game developer can ever say the 360 or PS3 are not equals or close to it. The only major thing PS3 has over 360 is Blu-Ray.
TSD @ Apr 30th 2008 10:28PM
F them then and make a PS3 version only.
Wise Guy @ Apr 30th 2008 11:28PM
AHHAHAHA!!! Utter horsesh#@! games.........
* 4x4 EVO (Dreamcast, Macintosh, PlayStation 2, Windows)
* 4x4 EVO 2 (GameCube, Macintosh, PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox)
* Æon Flux (PlayStation 2, Xbox)
* Blair Witch Volume 1: Rustin Parr (Windows)
* BloodRayne (GameCube, Macintosh, PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox)
* BloodRayne 2 (PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox)
* BlowOut (GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox)
* F! Zone (Windows)
* Fly! (Macintosh, Windows)
* Fly! 2K (Windows)
* Fly! II (Macintosh, Windows)
* Fury3 (Windows)
* Hellbender (Windows)
* Metal Slug Anthology (Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP)
* Monster Truck Madness (Windows)
* Monster Truck Madness 2 (Windows)
* Nocturne (Windows)
* RoadKill (Gamecube, PlayStation 2, Xbox)
* Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run (PlayStation 2, Xbox)
* Terminal Velocity (DOS)
Wow! Great resume!!! Way to talk it up. When you get a reputable game... maybe someone will listen to a SH#@ remark like theirs. Funny thing is... Luigi's Mansion played this genre out in 2001 and was fun back then....it will probably blow this game away if they are complaining about objects on the screen?!?!? I would trust NINTENDO over them. Give me a break. I have yet to see a PS3 game that is distinguishably better looking than on a 360.
GOW2 already looks like it's going to be amazing. From the videos I've seen on Sony's baby (HAZE).... it looks horrible. There are a dozen better looking FPS on PC and 360 than that game!
Will someone please tell me how a game even plays on a PS3 controller??? Nice duel analog arrangement. I'll just put my thumbs symmetrically together and play!!!! Horrible!!!
Efeez1986 @ Apr 30th 2008 11:35PM
Y'all lame as hell on here. Stop with that "Sony paid them to say that" bullshit, their just telling it like it is, just like when devs. say they have to delay a game because it's taking a longer time to finish it on the PS3. They even broke it down and gave a detailed reason why the 360 version is holding the game back. There's not one person in here that developed a game for the PS3 or the 360 so stop acting like y'all know more than they do about working with the consoles.
Trekster_Gamer @ May 1st 2008 12:47AM
You really show you are as clueless as the guy that made the statements.
If you know so much please name games that just blow away anything the 360 has to offer.
I mean if what this guy says is true than there should be proof out there shouldn't there????
If you can't then STFU....
Efeez1986 @ May 1st 2008 1:32AM
OH NOEZZZZZZZZZZ!!! A internet gangsta acting tuff, SOMEBODY HELP ME!!! LOL You say that guy is clueless but he's actually making games for the PS3 and 360 while your sitting at home masterbating to tranny porn. I need to have a talk with your parents and tell them to cut down on your internet usage little guy, now go do your homework.
skin.bintin @ May 1st 2008 6:06AM
One of their founders is an ex-microsoft employee... Probably just feeling bitter still.
Maynard101 @ May 1st 2008 8:24AM
We just got slimed.
BTD @ May 20th 2008 11:07AM
The logical fallacy going on in these comments is astounding. Think before you type people... You guys ever think that maybe the reason why GTA4 and this multiplat game or that multiplat game looks identical is because of THIS VERY SAME ISSUE?
Let me enlighten a bit: From a development standpoint there are 2 choices around this issue. One choice is to make seperate versions of the game: the full version, and the downscaled port. This costs development time. Time costs money and breaks deadlines. The other option is to make the game equal across both platforms, essentially making the same game and catering to the limitations of the lesser hardware across both versions. This is more cost efficient. Efficiency at the cost of quality.
You don't think maybe this is why your multiplats look the same? The desire to release a game on Xbox is holding back the quality that developers are capable of on PS3, but is a more lucrative solution to what would be a developmental quagmire.
Of course then we have the other factors... like pissing off the fanbase of the (current) leading platform. Which also means that cutting that platform out completely can hurt sales due to a lesser install base of other platform owners.
In closing, I must say I do not own a 360 (or an Xbox at all for that matter). For many of you this may discredit my comments entirely, which is incredibly narrow minded. My qualms with Microsoft predate them ever having made a console, and it is their continued methods that keep me from buying any (and I mean ANY) of their products. I'd advise any intelligent and rational people to ignore this fact. This is the internet though, so my expectations are rather low.
Wise Guy @ May 1st 2008 6:34PM
Well you are discredited. It's not narrow minded... it's the facts. How can you come to this site and state your opinion on a product you don't even own? Have you even seen first party titles on PS3 that have scored above and beyond 360 first party titles? The only thing PS3 has going for it is the blu-ray player. Quality game titles lean towards the 360 side.... with better online and more play value (achievements and xbox live service). Your argument is lame. Go argue something you own!!!!
Hendrik @ May 11th 2008 10:40PM
having double the object does not really add to game experience actually. btw, i'm still buying it for my xbox 360 instead of my ps3.
BTD @ Jun 16th 2008 10:04AM
Well, I expected some sort of idiot kid to come and run the "discredit" routine on me. Way to be that idiot kid Wise Guy (or Sawyer 08, whatever you prefer) Unfortunately though the grounds to discredit me are irrelevant to my initial point about the choices a developer has when creating a console.
I'm not just talking outta my ass here, I have experience in the industry. I may not own an Xbox 360, but you have to have been living under a rock to never have played one. Friends... you have those right?
I've done more than just played one however, I've worked with its SDK. It's a solid console with many features. However, the fact remains that it is holding the industry back. Marketing and mindless zealotry perpetuates this stagnation.
Perhaps I should be clearer. My main qualm is that I believe that the game industry should always move forward. Microsoft does not share this belief, and has NEVER shared this belief in anything they have done. They will innovate only so much, and then throw money at the competition to stay on top, undermining progress to suit their own gains. I simply don't approve of this and my wallet speaks that concearn loud and clear.
Of course looking at Wise Guy's / Sawyer 08's track record of baseless flamethrowing, one wonders if he is in a position to discredit anyone at all?