Factor 5 to create games exclusively for the PS3

[Everlost_MI]

I think this may have been missed in all the news that came out of E3, but according to this article (http://news.com.com/In+console+smackdown%2C+games+are+next+punch/2100-1043_3-5712174.html) on CNET (http://www.cnet.com/), Factor 5 is going to create games exclusively for the PS3.

Eggebrecht said his company--which developed "Star Wars: Rogue Squadron" for Nintendo's GameCube--would create games exclusively for Sony's upcoming PlayStation 3.

The choice boiled down to performance, Eggebrecht said at E3 in Los Angeles. His company has worked with Microsoft's Xbox 360, but found PlayStation 3's 3.2GHz Cell chip offered more processing power. The additional performance allows the gang at Factor 5 to more easily simulate the real world for a better game experience, he said.

Hmmm...stupid question but anyone got an opinion on this?

[Everlost_MI]

Exclusive gets thrown around a lot it seems. Perhaps “exclusive” in this sense means that Factor 5 will go the way of Rockstar and the GTA series with exclusive release on their chosen "main platform" for a certain amount of time before releasing it to the rest of the consoles. I guess time and/or press releases will tell.

[TrackZero]

Ugh. Considering Sony's system is just specs while MS had dev kits running at only a portition of the systems power, there's no way Factor 5 knows anything about the PS3 vs the 360. They're just speculating based on numbers written on a sheet. As well, if they're going pure exclusive, it means Sony bought them, pure and simple, otherwise they'd go multiplatform to make the most money (obviously). This quote is such digested pap.

[hideouslywrinkled]

Meh...

I think it's much more interesting when companies announce games rather than the intent to make games.

Although I'm sure the Hoth level will look great on the PS3. ;)

[Rommel]

My opinion: I found the game pretty, and good for commercials - but that is about the depth of its value.

[Blue]

Eh.

I mean, I enjoy their games and all but I rarely play through them more than once so most - if not all - F5 games are rentals to me, so this doesn't really do much for me either way. I'm assuming I'll own each next-gen console so there will at least be the opportunity to play whatever they put out, but I'm not going to rush out and pick up their games. Mind you if they put out some sort of never-ending buffet of Star Wars Rogue Squadron goodness, I may have to retract that statement. But for now, this news gets a big /shrug.

[Kelegacy]

Good news for future PS3 owners i guess. Of course, there are no GAMES right now that I know of, just speculation for future games. What companies does Sony own? I say this because I dont really know of any that Sony has bought compared to Microsoft's developer buyouts. Besides 989, which is basically a name change from the Sony sports division anyway.

I really cannot stand buyouts and that's one thing I dont like about Microsoft's "plan" to dominate in the future. If the PS3 architecture, though somewhat theoretical at this point, really has swayed the developer, that is more acceptable for me.

Either way, i wonder why any company would release games without porting unless they were granted at least a limited exclusivity deal.

[Blade]

Just make sure it's polished, F5. Rogue Leader was obviously rushed, and every aspect of it suffered because of it.

[jacktion]

The first Rogue on Cube was amazing but it did not progress at all for the sequel. In fact, it regressed. Plus, the walking levels were horrific. Factor 5 is a one-trick pony. Sony is welcome to them, just like Microsoft is welcome to Rare.
Enjoy, Boys!

[IndependentGMR]

I wonder what kind of game they will make...

[TrackZero]

Good news for future PS3 owners i guess. Of course, there are no GAMES right now that I know of, just speculation for future games. What companies does Sony own? I say this because I dont really know of any that Sony has bought compared to Microsoft's developer buyouts. Besides 989, which is basically a name change from the Sony sports division anyway.

I really cannot stand buyouts and that's one thing I dont like about Microsoft's "plan" to dominate in the future. If the PS3 architecture, though somewhat theoretical at this point, really has swayed the developer, that is more acceptable for me.

Either way, i wonder why any company would release games without porting unless they were granted at least a limited exclusivity deal.

I'd rather know that Microsoft is being forward in buying up developers, than Sonys backdoor shenanigans of paying off developers to extol the virtues of their console while only pretending it's something about that hardware that swayed them. At least Microsoft is honest in this case (heh, I know that quote is going to set someone off).

[Adam Blue]

Whatever happened to Tornado?

[mister_slim]

Ugh. Considering Sony's system is just specs while MS had dev kits running at only a portition of the systems power, there's no way Factor 5 knows anything about the PS3 vs the 360. They're just speculating based on numbers written on a sheet. As well, if they're going pure exclusive, it means Sony bought them, pure and simple, otherwise they'd go multiplatform to make the most money (obviously). This quote is such digested pap.
Come on, you obviously know what a dev kit is. And surely you saw the threads quoting Mark Rein about how long Epic's had the PS3 kit. Plus which, Cell information has been floating around for quite some time, thanks to IBM. Factor 5 know their hardware, and I think you should give them credit for more motivation than just cash.

[EL CABONG]

I'd rather know that Microsoft is being forward in buying up developers, than Sonys backdoor shenanigans of paying off developers to extol the virtues of their console while only pretending it's something about that hardware that swayed them. At least Microsoft is honest in this case (heh, I know that quote is going to set someone off). you are so right from what hardware specs I have seen 360 seems more powerfull than ps3 I try not to be a fanboy but this factor five lame A$$ move is makeing me like the 360 even more. they got abunch of money from sony to say that. Its kinda like G4's Sony fanboyfest that was their e3 coverage. PS3 's cgi didn't really wow me because they showed so little real time stuff and G4 saying that sony blew them out of the water just made me not trust anything they said about the 360 or ps3 because of there clear biast coverage.

[bobbler]

PS3 dev kits have been around for 6 months now depending on the developers (first party SCEA/SCEJ/SCEE published games). Many third party developers have had PS3 dev kits for 2-3 months now (as Rein/Sweeney have mentioned).

So its not just specs, the PS3 is not vaporware.

I know there are developers around that have had access to both systems long enough to see what each is all about. Some will go with MS and some will go with Sony, its just how it works. You can't just disregard a claim because you don't agree with the company they are backing.


I really cannot stand buyouts and that's one thing I dont like about Microsoft's "plan" to dominate in the future. If the PS3 architecture, though somewhat theoretical at this point, really has swayed the developer, that is more acceptable for me.

Thats one of the things I hate about MS also -- not that its really caused a problem so far, but I can see it over time once they get enough of them. It ruins gaming overall, if you ask me, having to buy one system indefinitely if you want games from them sort of sucks, but thats the way it goes, I guess. Exclusives I don't mind too much, mainly because many of them still end up on other platforms and the company isn't forever stuck with one said publisher forever.

[eatme]

I know there are developers around that have had access to both systems long enough to see what each is all about. Some will go with MS and some will go with Sony, its just how it works.

Most developers will go with both platforms to maximize sales, at least until things shake out and there's a huge winner, numbers wise. That choice will have nothing to do with hardware performance, and everything to do with audience size.

This particular choice is entirely because Sony paid them a large amount of money to remain exclusive. Good for them-- it'll help them fund their next game. I don't begrudge them the choice, but let's be honest about what it is.

[RMan]

Yea, the idea that the primary reason for these guys, or anyone, to go exclusive with PS3 or 360 is technical is more than a bit naive. The primary reasons would be timing, competition, or cross marketing arrangements, any one of these is going to be more important than the power difference between the two systems, which is currently somewhat speculative. The safe bet is that the PS3 will be more powerful, but you have to have a VERY big power improvement to significantly change what can be done in a game, it’s just insanely unlikely that this is the case.

Trust me, you’ll likely never see a press release that says “We’re choosing PS3 because we’re not going to have a game done in time for a 360 launch title, Microsoft didn’t offer as good a cross-marketing, and there’s seemingly less competition for our particular product(s).”. If you do see a press release like that, then buy they’re products, when they go out of business they may be collector’s items since they’re from the most honest publisher in history. If you exclusively use something, you’re press release will say it’s because it’s awesome and you (the consumer) should buy it because it’s awesome.

[zsears]

Ugh. Considering Sony's system is just specs while MS had dev kits running at only a portition of the systems power, there's no way Factor 5 knows anything about the PS3 vs the 360. They're just speculating based on numbers written on a sheet. As well, if they're going pure exclusive, it means Sony bought them, pure and simple, otherwise they'd go multiplatform to make the most money (obviously). This quote is such digested pap.

I would have to disagree with TrackZero. Being that they are a game developer I'm sure that they know alot more about the aspects of what the PS3 can do than what is on the specs list. Before making such a drastic decision they would have studied the pure power of both systems personally not just have taken someones word for it. Therefore, I find your post incredibly stupid and not well thought out. :rolleyes:

[Kagger]

Speaking of Hoth Level, OPM did an article about every game with a Hoth level, and they left out Jedi Accademy, I was upset (they included games from all systems, and that was PC and Xbox)

[yellowoystercult]

Whatever happened to Tornado?

i think it was thornado. dunno what happened to it.

i remember finding some (obviously) early concept music on ign a few years ago. after that, it completely disappeared.

the music was pretty good, as far as i can remember.

[Pumped'Up]

Yet, another case where developers are chosing the PS3 over the 360. This is obviously expected...and requires no explanation.

[Vandenh]

Does that mean PS3 gets the Hoth level again?

[TrackZero]

Come on, you obviously know what a dev kit is. And surely you saw the threads quoting Mark Rein about how long Epic's had the PS3 kit. Plus which, Cell information has been floating around for quite some time, thanks to IBM. Factor 5 know their hardware, and I think you should give them credit for more motivation than just cash.

If they've been so concerned about utilizing the best hardware and this not being money motivated, why were they gamecube exclusive before? It certainly wasn't the best hardware. And again, they were exclusive and didn't port to the other systems (which is a big question mark, as that's free money, unless you're not allowed to develop for the competitors of the people who are paying you off.....). Face it, if you take a look at Factor 5, it's obvious what their motiviation is. Hardware is not it.

[TrackZero]

I would have to disagree with TrackZero. Being that they are a game developer I'm sure that they know alot more about the aspects of what the PS3 can do than what is on the specs list. Before making such a drastic decision they would have studied the pure power of both systems personally not just have taken someones word for it. Therefore, I find your post incredibly stupid and not well thought out. :rolleyes:

It would be impossible for them to judge either system on "pure power" as neither dev kit would live up to the final potential of either system. If they had, they'd see that in the end they'll be rather close to each other regardless (unless you're buying into fanboyism on Sony's over-stated specs, which I'm not touching with a 50ft pole). A marginal increase in performance doesn't go and make a developer dump one platform over another, especially when they can make money selling on both. It's obvious that in Factor 5's case, they're motivated by cold hard cash. Please see my newest reply to mister_slim.

I don't believe what they've made is a drastic decision at all either, it's completely understandable. My problem is that they're being dishonest with the public about their motivation for their choice of platform. That's all.

Sorry for failing to go into further detail in my first post, sometimes I assume other people can put 2 + 2 together and figure out the situation without me having to cover every aspect for them. It's one thing to disagree with my conclusions, however it's another to mistake the amount of thinking that goes into my comments. Just because I may come off a little cockish and my grammar isn't the best (heh), doesn't mean I'm not trying to post some intelligent commentary. So I find from your post you're just a fuckwit and a poor judge of character (faKtor 5 is dev3l0pr sm4rt, that must meen PS3 is teh roXorZ! j00 r lam3 track0.). ;P

[Borys]

Bioware and Team Ninja next ;)

[Chandler]

well, their games suck, but they do sell a lot, so, big win for sony in the end.

[KDups]

If they've been so concerned about utilizing the best hardware and this not being money motivated, why were they gamecube exclusive before? It certainly wasn't the best hardware.

Factor 5 helped in the development of the Gamecube sound chip, so I'd say there's enough of a connection there to make a few exclusive GC games to help the system out. They were actually rumored to be working on a next-gen version of Pilotwings, which makes this announcement a bit sad. I wanted a new Pilotwings!

Anyway I like their technical prowess, hopefully we'll see what they can do with an original, non-Star Wars game.

[bjornbarspingvinen]

any retard can see that this is a PR move from sony, pay a supporter of XNA (as factor 5 was early)and let them say they chose PS3 over Xbox360 because of power.
THe Renders sony showed on Killzone 2 was a lame PR stunt.

FROM gamespot:
What we heard: When the lights at Monday's PlayStation 3 demo came up, the audience members picked up their jaws off the floor...and began wagging their tongues. Like a game version of the Kennedy assassination, the audience quickly split into two camps: Those who thought the demo was prerendered, making it essentially computer animation, and those who thought it was rendered in real time, which means it would be close, graphically, to actual gameplay. The fires of speculation were fueled further by the ambiguous comments of Jan-Bart Van Beek, game eirector of the PS3 Killzone at Guerrilla Games, to the official PlayStation UK site."It's basically a representation of the look and feel of the game we're trying to make," he said. Then a post on the Eurogamer forums laid out a tantalizing conspiracy: Axis Animation, the same Scottish computer animation company that made a cinematic for the first Killzone, had been working on the E3 demo for months as straight-up CG. So how does Sony respond to the allegations? Far from being evasive, it met them head-on. "Yes, it is real time," a rep told GameSpot.

Bogus or not bogus?: Believe Sony? Bogus. Think Sony's lying? Not Bogus.

[zsears]

Listen TrackZero. Being that you are too pansy to even own a PS2 I see where your priorities lie. You are a stupid fanboy. More stupid because you are a fan boy to a company that is late in the game and does not have as strong of a base as Sony. I have a PS2, XBOX, and a Gamecube. I love all three. Please do not judge anything that has anyhing to do with the PS3 until spring when we can actually see it in all of its glory. Well I guess you probably won't see it. Since you're a fanboy and all.

[Reanimated]

Only problem is - they're not making Star Wars games. I have serious doubts that they can make a game that sells which doesn't have the Star Wars name on it.

[Furious Wang]

Yawn.

...

Yawn

[Roc Ingersol]

No-one goes exclusive unless there's a bucket of cash involved.
And nothing said by someone on the receiving end of a bucket of cash is to be taken at face value.

[CapnBob]

After Rogue Squadron 3, good riddance. All they care about is graphics. After seeing how Revenge of the Sith on the DS has more enjoyable ground levels AND superior flight controls to the Rogue Squadron games, I can't imagine missing Factor 5 all that much.

[Hellstorm]

Bioware and Team Ninja next ;)

Oh for pete's sake. I believe Bioware has already said they will support the PS3 and Team Ninja has pretty much hinted that the next Ninja Gaiden is for either the Rev or PS3.

[MosBen]

Not owning a PS2 makes you a pansy? Damn, I better pick one up before I completely lose my manhood.

RMan said it best way back on page 2; this is just a press release and like all press releases shouldn't be taken as anything other than PR fluff. Of *course* there's some kind of money arrangement here. While later in the console lifecycle you see developers choosing to develope for one system, say the ever so manly PS2, based on the install base for the system, at this stage in the game when not one console has been sold the only reason a developer announces exclusivity is because they've been given a truckload of cash to do it. Nobody *ever* chooses based on power before the system is even out and there's nothing wrong with being paid to do some exclusive work. A lot of gamers like to think of gaming as an art form, but when games cost millions of dollars to make it's a little harder to be so pure in ideology. Think of an exclusivity deal as a commisioned statue or painting. The artist may not have complete control over the project because the buyer may already have an idea of what they want the painting/sculpture to be of, or there might be a firm deadline after which the work is exhibited even if the artist isn't completely satisfied, or any number of other reasons. The point is, in these sorts of situations you can't really blame the artist. It costs money to live and make the art you really want and commisioned pieces can pay for the luxery to do that. Also, given the hands on nature that the buyer may be taking it hardly seems fair to lay blame on the artist for the project, at least not all.

Also, about the buying up of developers; yeah, I'd love to know what teams Sony has bought. Before they made the PS1 I doubt they had game developers just sitting around the TV R&D area. Did they buy up a developer or build it completely from scratch? Personally, I don't really think it makes much difference and it certainly makes much more sense to the company trying to get into the business to buy an experience developer and get their IPs with it than try to put together a new team of inexperienced developers and try to make it all gel.

[kokyunage]

It would be impossible for them to judge either system on "pure power" as neither dev kit would live up to the final potential of either system. If they had, they'd see that in the end they'll be rather close to each other regardless (unless you're buying into fanboyism on Sony's over-stated specs, which I'm not touching with a 50ft pole).

I call bullshit. So, what you are saying that the developers magic crystal ball isn’t accurate enough to predict the power of either machine? But your crystal ball IS accurate enough to judge both and conclude that both are equals in the power department?

Right…

[zsears]

Thank you very much kokyunage. At least someone else has some brains here.

[Cubfan]

No-one goes exclusive unless there's a bucket of cash involved.
And nothing said by someone on the receiving end of a bucket of cash is to be taken at face value.

......Exactly.

[TrackZero]

I call bullshit. So, what you are saying that the developers magic crystal ball isn’t accurate enough to predict the power of either machine? But your crystal ball IS accurate enough to judge both and conclude that both are equals in the power department?

Right…

My crystal ball is just as good as theirs at this phase, as is everyone else's. It's quite obvious this was motivated by money (which again, there isn't anything wrong with that at all, I just wish they'd come out and say that Sony bought them like MS developers do), see everyone else's comments in agreement on this.

[MosBen]

I think all of our crystal balls are good enough to know that enormous jumps in technology just don't happen. Sony's machine is coming out 6-12 months after the 360 and as such *should* be more powerful due to the fact that hardware is always improving and getting cheaper over time. It may be that through impressive feats of engineering Sony manages to squeeze out slightly more performance that we might think based on those 6-12 months, but it's not like they're going to jump two or three years ahead of the game. That's just not how things work. Both machines will be reletively close to each other, though there may be some differences.

Given how prevalent multiplatform games are, however, the only real differences you're likely to see are on system exclusive games, which are the minority.

[KNOTE]

wow that means 360 owners will not have access to all that great Factor 5 content!! god they will just be crushed. Factor 5, in development circles, are best known for getting Dolby Pro-Logic 2 working on gamecube with no support, and doing the console versions of DivX. Certainly not for their game quality.

It kind of reminds me when the Oddworld guys said "we're not developing for Ps2, it's too hard" then a short while later they announced that they were being published by Microsoft. Anyone want to bet that Factor 5 got a publishing deal with Sony? Because if you're developing a game for a 3rd party, you'll make the game for whatever platform(s) you agree on. No developer can unequivocally say "we're not making this game for platform B cuz it teh suxorz."

[Kelegacy]

Yawn.

...

Yawn

We know, you dont get excited over anything. If Factor 5 said they would release only Xbox games you'd be happy as heck. Admit it. :)

[mister_slim]

We know, you dont get excited over anything. If Factor 5 said they would release only Xbox games you'd be happy as heck. Admit it. :)
Is he an Xbox fanboy? I'd just assumed he was insane.
If they've been so concerned about utilizing the best hardware and this not being money motivated, why were they gamecube exclusive before? It certainly wasn't the best hardware. And again, they were exclusive and didn't port to the other systems (which is a big question mark, as that's free money, unless you're not allowed to develop for the competitors of the people who are paying you off.....). Face it, if you take a look at Factor 5, it's obvious what their motiviation is. Hardware is not it.
Perhaps because they designed the sound chip and the audio toolset for the GC? They are a hardware company. I'm sure money plays a part, they certainly need a steady income, but I really doubt that is the only thing.

Does anyone know if the 360 even has a sound chip?