UT3 Sixaxis controls "work really well"

[GunnyMo]

Sony and Epic gave a demonstration (http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=170675) of the fully integrated tilt-action Sixaxis controls for Unreal Tournament 3 on the PS3 during the Games Convention.

The death-dealing superweapon, The Redeemer is now controlled in camera mode by tilting the PS3 pad from side to side - which in our demonstration looked to work without a hitch. Similarly, hoverboard controls now work using the tilt capabilities of the PS3, twisting the pad to perform spins and tricks.

The console version itself is looking in great shape; the version we saw today was running at a solid 60fps and looked near-identical with the PC counterpart, which was also running side by side. Mouse and keyboard support is also confirmed, although Epic wouldn't say anything when we quized them about crossplatform play.

[PrivateJohn]

Now i wonder, whether the 360 version will be able to run at 60fps because Tim once said "360" is like mid-range PC when they first officially announce UT3 for 360.

[violentp]

Motion controls eff tee ell

[H1PO]

You know what else works really well? A controller. You know, with thumbs, and fingers.
My record with Moion sesitive controlls = not so great.

[Gorvi]

You know what else works really well? A controller. You know, with thumbs, and fingers.
My record with Moion sesitive controlls = not so great.
Was the spelling supposed to be a joke on motion controls? :p

[Guy Mariano]

60 FPS. Highly unlikely.

[Gott]

Maybe it's just me...but unreal is a fast twitch fps. I think working gimmicky motion controls into the game just to make it unique for the PS3 is a big big mistake.

I never played unreal much. I got one of them on the pc maybe 4 years ago, what do the hardcore Unreal players in the group think of motion controls in UT3?

[Mark Rein]

60 FPS. Highly unlikely.

Why would that be unlikely?

[biosc1]

My record with motion sensitive controls = not so great.

Agreed. Though, my experience has been that "duck in the bathtub" game. I found that I'd have to tilt the controller to an uncomfortable degree to get a decent response. Just seemed real gimmicky.

I guess Warhawk will put the "tilt" to the test next week.

[BenN1ce]

what do the hardcore Unreal players in the group think of motion controls in UT3?

Any hardcore player will be playing with a K/B and mouse ;)

[Mark Rein]

Using the Sixaxis to control the hoverboard and redeemer is completely optional. I suggest PS3 UT3 players give it a try to see if they prefer it or not. A lot of people seem to be impressed with it when they give it a go for themselves.

[Guy Mariano]

Why would that be unlikely?

Too be honest. If anyone can do it it's you guys obviously but the troubles with PS3 and UE3 have been pretty well documented lately. A game that looks on par with Gears of War running at 60 FPS would be quite an accomplishment IMO. I have also heard it will be a 30 FPS game not 60.

[Gott]

Using the Sixaxis to control the hoverboard and redeemer is completely optional. I suggest PS3 UT3 players give it a try to see if they prefer it or not. A lot of people seem to be impressed with it when they give it a go for themselves.

I'm glad you have given the option to turn motion control on or off. I'm sure everyone will give it a try and see which style best works for them. Just not my bag I guess.

[Mark Rein]

Any hardcore player will be playing with a K/B and mouse ;)On PC they will but I'm not so sure on console. I've been playing UT for 9 years and I'm perfectly happy playing the game on console with a controller. I think people are going to be pretty surprised by just how fantastic a console game UT3 is. That's not taking away one iota from how fantastic a PC game it is but I think it will be a pleasant surprise for many diehard UT players of which I consider myself one. It is hard to explain but after sitting at a desk playing the game for 9 years on a keyboard and mouse there's something to be said for sitting in a relaxed position on a nice comfy chair or sofa and having just as good an experience. Of course I like both PC shooters and console shooters so I'm just happy to play and I don't have a hard-coded preference. The Midway marketing folks had to kick me off the PS3 today so they could a let a group into the demo room. UT3 rocks :)

[Gott]

Too be honest. If anyone can do it it's you guys obviously but the troubles with PS3 and UE3 have been pretty well documented lately. A game that looks on par with Gears of War running at 60 FPS would be quite an accomplishment IMO.

HaHa...Guy Mariano almost got owned by Mark Rein. ;)

In all honesty Mark. It's very cool you pop in to discuss your games with us. The last time I played Unreal i wasn't that crazy about the gameplay, but i will be giving it a shot again on the 360 since i am older and wiser.

I'm just sorry the 360 and the PS3 versions don't mingle online because i would be gunning for Gorvi and Violent69. Yeah I said it!

[Gott]

On PC they will but I'm not so sure on console. I've been playing UT for 9 years and I'm perfectly happy playing the game on console with a controller. I think people are going to be pretty surprised by just how fantastic a console game UT3 is. That's not taking away one iota from how fantastic a PC game it is but I think it will be a pleasant surprise for many diehard UT players of which I consider myself one. It is hard to explain but after sitting at a desk playing the game for 9 years on a keyboard and mouse there's something to be said for sitting in a relaxed position on a nice comfy chair or sofa and having just as good an experience. Of course I like both PC shooters and console shooters so I'm just happy to play and I don't have a hard-coded preference. The Midway marketing folks had to kick me off the PS3 today so they could a let a group into the demo room. UT3 rocks :)

I could have the most comfortable chair in the world and once i start playing most games i'm sitting right on the edge with elbows on knees. I have come to accept that cruel reality. But that said I think I would rather be playing like that than sitting in a chair at a table using a keyboard and mouse.

[H1PO]

Was the spelling supposed to be a joke on motion controls? :p

more of just stupidity. :p

[TrackZero]

60 FPS. Highly unlikely.

Nah, I don't see any reason it couldn't be 60fps. Epic knows how to make a game. ;)

This is good news for PS3 folk, they'll finally have a game worth playing (well, they will once Heavenly Sword comes out first).

[Stric9]

Mouse and keyboard support is also confirmed, although Epic wouldn't say anything when we quized them about crossplatform play.

Isn't this a foregone conclusion at this point after the agreement they signed with gamespy to provide PC<->PS3 crossplay?

[Mark Rein]

Too be honest. If anyone can do it it's you guys obviously but the troubles with PS3 and UE3 have been pretty well documented lately. We heard that same kind of silliness about UE3 on Xbox 360 before we shipped Gears of War and we all know how that turned out. The only way to silence the uninformed critics is to ship the games and let them play them for themselves. We're continually optimizing our engine on all supported platforms and we will continue to do so for several years into this generation. What we ship on PC and PS3 this fall will be considerably better than the builds we're showing here at Games Convention in every aspect.

Midway had a great demonstration of the power of Unreal Engine 3's cross-platform capabilities on display at their business center booth here at Games Convention in Leipzig. Right at the front entrance they have a two Playstation 3s, an Xbox 360 and a PC running Stranglehold. I played the exact same demo on PS3 today as over 750,000 people have already downloaded from Xbox Live and played on their Xbox 360s and it ran every bit as well as that one did. By looking at the screen you could not tell any differences between the two platforms and the game ran beautifully. Midway told me this was an unfinished build that will only get better in the next few weeks. BTW Stranglehold rocks! Today I got to play the full version a bit and it was even cooler than the demo.

So it isn't just Epic who is going to achieve great results on PS3 with our technology this year. The Midway execs were telling me today their UE3-based TNA wrestling game (coming next year) is already running at 60fps. And let's not forget they're working on the next Mortal Kombat game and The Wheelman on UE3 as well. Other licensees are going to ship some pretty great games too. Today I saw an early build of Gearbox's Borderlands and it was incredible. The head of EA Montreal invited me to come to EA's booth on Friday to see Army of Two and I hope to see Medal of Honor Airborne as well. I can't wait. If CliffyB is reading this I can tell you for sure he will be jealous. He'd be here if Microsoft were selling Gears of War in Germany but the Germans refuse to give it a rating, and we didn't want to compromise the gameplay, so Microsoft doesn't sell it here.

Face it folks - you can choose to say nasty things about us if you want and choose to believe rumors and innuendo - but we have the best cross-platform game engine in the business and people are going to be enjoying games made with it on multiple platforms (PC, 360, PS3, Mac, Linux) for many years to come! Epic and its licensees are going to make you very happy gamers so just smile and be nice to each other please. Games are supposed to make you happy so please be happy :)

BTW I really enjoy coming to Leipzig each year for Games Convention. I love that over the next 4 days something crazy like 180,000 real gaming fans are going to stream through the halls of the Leipzigger Messe and get to share their passion for their hobby and see all kinds of great gaming products. I really wish the big brains of E3 had opened E3 for 3-4 days to the public so you guys could feel something amazing like this. I think that if they had E3 would still be the world's top game show - now this is it and it's a shame the USA doesn't have anything like it. Maybe the E-for-all show can be that show someday. Today was press/industry-only day and I was planted in the business center all day doing demos, interviews and a press conference but the Midway guys said there was a non-stop line-up to play in the 16-player UT3 LAN at their show floor booth in hall. Tomorrow, when the fans come in, they expect that line to grow to a ridiculous size. I love that these folks can come here and try the game out for themselves. One of the press guys asked how I can stand going to event after event after event and I just can't imagine missing out on sharing our teams' hard work with the actual consumers that are going to buy it. It is such an incredibly rewarding experience to do this. I am a very lucky person. I hope all of you get to work at something you really enjoy at some point in your life.

Now all I have to remind myself not to hog one of the stations for too long and let the fans play - of course if they ask me to play against them it will be hard to resist :)

[Guy Mariano]

I appreciate the feedback Mark. I hope it runs great because i'm not upgrading my PC yet but i'm sure it would run pretty good on that too :)

[TrackZero]

Of course I like both PC shooters and console shooters so I'm just happy to play and I don't have a hard-coded preference.

Seconded. I'll admit there was a small learning curve when I tried my first console FPS (Halo), but that was shortly overcome and it never even occurs to me what platform I'm playing on these days.

Though that's not to say I'm a fan of the PS3 controller, but it's better than the PS2 one. (I still prefer the analog stick layout on the xbox/360 controllers.)

[oldjadedgamer]

We heard that same kind of silliness about UE3 on Xbox 360 before we shipped Gears of War and we all know how that turned out. The only way to silence the uninformed critics is to ship the games and let them play them for themselves.

Actually, wouldn't it be better to ship multiplatform UE3 games at the same time? I can't think of a PS3 UE3 game that shipped the same day the 360 version.

[TrackZero]

If CliffyB is reading this I can tell you for sure he will be jealous.

Exclusive! Official confirmation Cliff also reads EvAv. ;)

[Mark Rein]

Isn't this a foregone conclusion at this point after the agreement they signed with gamespy to provide PC<->PS3 crossplay?Stric--> no we have not decided if we're going to do that for UT3 or not. If we didn't ship with it then it would still be possible to enable it at some point in a future update.

[TrackZero]

Stric--> no we have not decided if we're going to do that for UT3 or not. If we didn't ship with it then it would still be possible to enable it at some point in a future update.

Do game updates go through a QA team with Sony titles as well? (I know GoW did as it was a case where MS was the publisher.) Or is it all in house?

[violentp]

Mark, is this game gonna support the camera at all? I really don't want to have to look at TrackZero when I play. Bam, that's 2 TZ.

[TrackZero]

Mark, is this game gonna support the camera at all? I really don't want to have to look at TrackZero when I play. Bam, that's 2 TZ.

Oh snap. Cross-thread humour. You win!

[violentp]

Oh snap. Cross-thread humour. You win!

I'm gonna stop now as I'd genuinely like Mark to answer your question.

[jeffbax]

Soo.... does this mean future 360 UE3 games will also hit 60FPS? Such as Gears 2 perhaps? Personally, the biggest downer for this gen is the lack of games pushing 60FPS which is IMO more important than prettiness... thats if 360 has the horsepower to do it equivalent to PS3. I guess its a game-by-game case... I don't think BioShock suffered from 30FPS due to gamespeed but still its something I'd like to have seen.

Any comment on this Mark?

[PrivateJohn]

On PC they will but I'm not so sure on console. I've been playing UT for 9 years and I'm perfectly happy playing the game on console with a controller. I think people are going to be pretty surprised by just how fantastic a console game UT3 is. That's not taking away one iota from how fantastic a PC game it is but I think it will be a pleasant surprise for many diehard UT players of which I consider myself one. It is hard to explain but after sitting at a desk playing the game for 9 years on a keyboard and mouse there's something to be said for sitting in a relaxed position on a nice comfy chair or sofa and having just as good an experience. Of course I like both PC shooters and console shooters so I'm just happy to play and I don't have a hard-coded preference. The Midway marketing folks had to kick me off the PS3 today so they could a let a group into the demo room. UT3 rocks :)
Marketing talk to sell game to console gamers!!!

If you let your UT fans see this they gona be so pissed and shout "dumbed down" version!
I have converted to console scene 4 years ago but i would still say, UT franchise has always been about Keyboard & mouse. (except Unreal Championship...awesome game btw)

[TrackZero]

Soo.... does this mean future 360 UE3 games will also hit 60FPS? Such as Gears 2 perhaps?

I'd assume there's still limits to the onscreen polys. Maybe they would keep it at 30fps and just up the models/level/art?

Personally 30fps is all I need, unless it's a racer.

[Mark Rein]

Do game updates go through a QA team with Sony titles as well?Yes they go through a proper submission and certification process.

[Johan]

The only way to silence the uninformed critics is to ship the games and let them play them for themselves.

That's what I'll be waiting to see...

As far as I know, until it's actually been done (gone gold, at 60 fps), it hasn't! We'll see!

[CptTripps]

Cool enough, I'll probably be playing on the 360 whenever that comes out. I was never a big fan of the old UT games honestly, I like the tactical shooters much more. But damn if UTK4 did not floor me, that was/is a great game. UE3 will definitely be in my library, shit maybe even on PS3 depending on some financial and when it comes out.

Anywho, I think the tilt sounds ok for the uses stated. I kinda wish an extreme tilt would do the dodge thing as I am not a good double tapper.

Last but not least. Mark you kick ass, not only as a big gaming nerd/developer, but I have seen you stop by and clarify things, make sense of them when they have been confused or just to shoot the shit. It is much appreciated by me and I assume the other folks here to know that the "LordGods" of the world actually give a shit what we as consumers think. ;)

[violentp]

The only way to silence the uninformed critics is to ship the games and let them play them for themselves.

I fancy myself pretty uninformed and could probably use some first hand knowledge right about now.

[51|RandoM]

It is hard to explain but after sitting at a desk playing the game for 9 years on a keyboard and mouse there's something to be said for sitting in a relaxed position on a nice comfy chair or sofa and having just as good an experience.

Mark, they're obviously not paying you enough if you can't afford to play a PC game from the comfort of your own couch.

Maybe we should start a petition to get you a raise?

[mister_slim]

I'd assume there's still limits to the onscreen polys. Maybe they would keep it at 30fps and just up the models/level/art?

Personally 30fps is all I need, unless it's a racer.

For me the ideal framerate depends on the game. I wouldn't want to play Ninja Gaiden or UT3 at 30fps, but I'm fine with Gears of War or Bioshock not hitting 60.

[Johan]

For me the ideal framerate depends on the game. I wouldn't want to play Ninja Gaiden or UT3 at 30fps, but I'm fine with Gears of War or Bioshock not hitting 60.

What does Bioshock get? I don't own it...is it 30?

[TrackZero]

What does Bioshock get? I don't own it...is it 30?

Not sure myself, I'd guess 30. But it does clip a little in heavy sequences. But there's a "framerate unlock" feature in the options menu that slightly lowers the graphics apparently but speeds it up, I haven't tried it.

[Mark Rein]

Soo.... does this mean future 360 UE3 games will also hit 60FPS?60 fps with UE3 is possible if we sets that as our goal. We chose not to do that with Gears of War because we wanted to deliver a cinematic high-action experience with high-end graphics. I think everyone can agree we achieved our goal. With UT3 our goal is an even higher level of action, an even higher level of visuals, and to achieve this with even more players/bots in the game. Our goal isn't 60 fps because we would have to compromise on some of those things to achieve it in every situation. I think in the final game we're going to lock frame rate at 30fps and you'll be so happy playing the game, so thrilled with how amazingly it all comes together, and so involved in the action you won't care what the frame rate is the way you didn't care when you played Gears.

Gears of War has (so far) outsold all Xbox 360 and PS3 games - it runs at 30fps and, thus far, has set the visual high-bar (for an action game) this generation only a year into the life of the platform it shipped on. Hopefully we'll be achieving that with UT3 on PS3 this fall as well. One of the reasons people were drawn to the game was because of the amazing visuals. I would expect that if we ever do make a sequel to Gears then our goal would be to utilize the improvements we will have made in our engine performance and functionality to push the visuals and game play up a notch or two. I suspect fans of the game would be much happier with us doing this than they would with us compromising on those things to reach the higher frame rate they probably wouldn't notice anyway.

[PrivateJohn]

I am stupid, but i don't quite get it.
Are you saying UT3 for PS3 are not confirm 60FPS...yet?

[TrackZero]

I suspect fans of the game would be much happier with us doing this than they would with us compromising on those things to reach the higher frame rate they probably wouldn't notice anyway.

This fan agrees.

[Johan]

...UT3 for PS3 are not confirm 60FPS...yet?

You don't sound stupid. Until it's actually happened, I'd say it's wise to have some salt around. If anyone can do it, Epic certainly can. We'll see...

[PrivateJohn]

You don't sound stupid. Until it's actually happened, I'd say it's wise to have some salt around. If anyone can do it, Epic certainly can. We'll see...
...but every gaming site i've read is saying UT3 for PS3 are running at 60FPS during the game convetion demonstration?

[Mark Rein]

I am stupid, but i don't quite get it.
Are you saying UT3 for PS3 are not confirm 60FPS...yet?I'm saying the demo they saw could have been 60 fps. We have not locked frame rate yet so right now it depends on things like what level they were running and how many bots they put in, what mutators they were running, etc. When we get it finished and locked down it should run at 30 fps all the time.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

I'm saying the demo they saw could have been 60 fps. We have not locked frame rate yet so right now it depends on things like what level they were running and how many bots they put in, what mutators they were running, etc. When we get it finished and locked down it should run at 30 fps all the time.

Does that mean that when it ships it will be a 30 fps game? Or that it will just never dip below that?

[Draft]

I'm saying the demo they saw could have been 60 fps. We have not locked frame rate yet so right now it depends on things like what level they were running and how many bots they put in, what mutators they were running, etc. When we get it finished and locked down it should run at 30 fps all the time.Hahaha, so in fact, it is unlikely. You could go so far as to say it's blatantly untrue.

[Mark Rein]

Hahaha, so in fact, it is unlikely. You could go so far as to say it's blatantly untrue.No I could not because I don't know what frame rate the demo they saw was running at. But I do know that I've played the game and it runs really well.

[Mark Rein]

Does that mean that when it ships it will be a 30 fps game? Or that it will just never dip below that?That means it will be a 30fps game like Gears of War is.

[Draft]

No I could not because I don't know what frame rate the demo they saw was running at. But I do know that I've played the game and it runs really well.I mean, it's your demo, of your game. If anyone knows the frame rate, it's you. Why dance around the subject? Either it was running at 30, 60, or some jumpy mess in between. Why not clarify? Call one of your minions and find out. You're Mark Fucking Rein, Goddamn it.

[Mark Rein]

The frame rate isn't locked - which means it is variable and I already outlined the conditions on which frame rate could vary. For all I know they could have been standing still looking a wall the whole time and running at 120fps. There's no right answer. If they say it was running solidly 60 fps then obviously they thought it was running pretty darn well and that's all that really counts at this point.

I hope that satisfies you for now because I'm going to bed. Good night everyone!

[Johan]

I hope that satisfies you for now because I'm going to bed. Good night everyone!

You're a really good guy for coming around to talk with us. I'll be buying UT3, as I did GoW!

Of course, how could we ever be satisfied? Forum=bottomless pit of need for information! :)

[Chainblast]

Why would that be unlikely?

Because EA cannot do it. :P

[Norse]

Mark, they're obviously not paying you enough if you can't afford to play a PC game from the comfort of your own couch.

Maybe we should start a petition to get you a raise?

Maybe he just don't want to have a pc with keyboard, mouse and the cable mess in his living room? I know I rather not have that mess in my TV room.

[Squidbot]

Thanks Mark.

Been a UT fan since the beginning, and horrible Xbox 1.0 versions not withstanding, I'm looking forward to the next in the franchise.

Let the haters hate and the players wait.

My only quandary is which platform, I've kinda of gotten used to console shooters now, with the likes of Halo, R6 and Shadowrun. Hmm.....
But motion controls? Bleh! I'm sure some will dig it, and I may give it a shot, but I just can't see it myself.

[mister_slim]

But motion controls? Bleh! I'm sure some will dig it, and I may give it a shot, but I just can't see it myself.
They sound pretty optional and minimal. I don't think they'll be a problem.

[kid cabelgo]

Argh. This is the first cross platform game where I really feel like I'm going to be jealous of PS3 owners.

Sony only needs a few other titles besides Little Big Planet and possibly Killzone 2 before I start looking at the PS3 with that "hungry like the wolf" look in my eyes...

[Rock Bandit]

If CliffyB is reading this I can tell you for sure he will be jealous. He'd be here if Microsoft were selling Gears of War in Germany but the Germans refuse to give it a rating, and we didn't want to compromise the gameplay, so Microsoft doesn't sell it here.

Smooth move Germany. Think they're overcompensating for something?

A bit off-topic, but I would pay $73 to see Mark Rein fight a shark. Something in his posts tells me he could take him.

[Housemixer]

Ah good to know that I can test this at GC tomorrow (even though it is a 450km drive from here) :D

[GreatWight]

I can not seem to get this question answered yet and I see Mark participating here so I am hoping I can get an answer. If UTIII runs in 720p resolution will this title support scaling to 1080i/p since the PS3 itself can not do this? I really want to get this title on the PS3 but my TV only accepts 1080i. No way am I getting this on PS3 if I have to play it downrezzed in 480p. I do not plan on getting a new TV anytime soon, I have a Pioneer Elite 710HD and it still looks great.

[Housemixer]

UT3 looked overall really nice, but I didn't get a chance to play it (there were simply too many people waiting to play). But why was AA deactivated on some of the PCs in the "LAN cage"?