PS2 News: Sony Doesn't Regret Keeping God Of War II On PS2 - PS2 News

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Sony Doesn't Regret Keeping God Of War II On PS2

God of War II launched for the PS2 in March 13, 2007, nearly four months after the PlayStation 3 landed in the US. At the time, many wondered by Sony didn't wait to put the much-anticipated sequel on their new console.

The question is, after having to wait over three years for another God of War to finally end up on the PS3, does Sony regret their decision? Wouldn't it have made more sense to produce such a groundbreaking title for the powerful new system? Well, according to Sony Computer Entertainment's senior vice president of product development, Shuhei Yoshida, he says there was plenty of internal debate on the issue. In speaking to Game Informer, Yoshida spoke about how developers could really take advantage of the PS2 after five or six years of becoming familiar with the hardware. Said Yoshida:

"We had a lot of debates about it, actually. I always firmly stood by keeping it on PS2. Many people, including marketing, suggested that maybe it should be moved to PS3. What I believed was that God of War II would be the best-selling and best game of the year. We had always seen that, at the launch of a platform, the developer has to spend a lot of time becoming familiar with the platform and software tools. Technical issues take up a lot of the development, perhaps leaving less time for really polishing the game. Towards the end of a platform is when you see really great games, after developers really begin to understand the hardware."

He went on to say that he believed the Santa Monica team could "complete their vision" on a console "they totally understood." At the end of the day, Yoshida says the company has never regretted this decision; after all, GoWII may very well be the best game in the PS2's vast library (or at least in the top 5) and besides, would you have wanted to risk a sub-par sequel on a brand new piece of hardware the devs weren't totally checked out on...?

Related Game(s): God of War II

1/25/2010 9:06:47 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (28 posts)

ShadowRunner
Monday, January 25, 2010 @ 9:41:05 PM
Reply

I agree with Yoshida; it wouldn't have been the great game we all enjoyed if they had to deal with all the difficulties of a new console development.

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godsman
Monday, January 25, 2010 @ 9:44:44 PM
Reply

It's definitely an awesome game. I doubt God of War would be as popular as it is now if God of War II is on PS3. The install base is still small. Game series should have a couple good games before they can get the fans' attentions. FFVII wouldn't be so popular on PSone if FFI thru FFVI sucks on Nintendo platforms.

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Feregrin
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 5:38:32 AM

That last statement about FF...They wouldn't have made that many games had the first few games sucked.

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Buckeyestar
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 7:35:47 AM

Like the saying that only the last movie in a franchise loses money.

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Slick Rick
Monday, January 25, 2010 @ 9:52:54 PM
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I agree with him,i mean how many of us had a Ps3 when GOW II came out ? Now its the Ps3's time to rule babe ! Cnt wait 2 c what they have for the next installment of god of war

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Jawknee
Monday, January 25, 2010 @ 10:51:32 PM

I had one.

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Jut420
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 1:50:57 AM

I had just gotten mine. It was one of the first few games I had played on my new system (first game I actually completed on the new system, because Motorstorm took forever). Awesome game. I'm glad they didn't risk quality to have a big name game on the PS3 early in it's life cycle. GOW is one of my favorite franchises (tied with Socom and MGS) and I haven't had a problem waiting for a PS3 GOW, especially after being able to play the E3 demo. I've got the Ultimate Edition preordered, and I can't wait to get my hands on the game. I might have to take a couple sick days I'm so excited.

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Dridion
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 4:36:43 AM

I also had one but sadly it died a month and a half ago :( *tears*. Got a slim. It does the job but I still mis my Phat Beast!

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gumbi
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 8:17:16 AM

I had one... RIP old girl, you are missed.

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SvenMD
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 9:02:49 AM

Sorry guys, I still have my PSPhat and she's runnin' great.

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geovanwitdakick
Monday, January 25, 2010 @ 10:10:23 PM
Reply

That was indeed a really smart move on Sony's behalf. Let Santa Monica produce a extraordinally stellar game for the PS2's wide user-base, to then later on give many people lots of incentive to get the PS3 when GOW3 gets released. GOW3 would have been less anticipated if GOW2 was already released on the PS3, because it probably would not be as good as 1 was, because they did not know the PS3 internally. But after working with Naughty Dog & other first-party studios, they probably have it downpacked, & that is why GOW3 is such an anticipated game.

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Alienange
Monday, January 25, 2010 @ 10:18:20 PM
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"Towards the end of a platform is when you see really great games, after developers really begin to understand the hardware."

Unbelievable. That sentence alone should tell Sony and Microsoft (and anyone else looking to get in on the action) that they need to make the best hardware possible and support it for as long as possible.

With the quality of games these days, I think devs need more time with the hardware, not constant upgrades that add little to the entertainment value.

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NoSmokingBandit
Monday, January 25, 2010 @ 11:12:18 PM

Correct.
The 360 has probably been close to maxed out already while the ps3 probably isnt even close (just look at the jump from UC to UC2)...

Its frustrating to begin with, for both Sony and the customers, but better hardware is worth it in the end.

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Qubex
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 12:00:02 AM

Well, from what I have gathered having read similar articles and developer admissions about how far the have pushed the PS3 hardware; I think, in general, the AAA exclusives are tapping into about 70% of the power of the PS3.

No doubt we should still see some improvements; but I wonder. I mean when you think of what types of games may be around in about 2-3 years time; they should be pretty spectacular.

Then the whole cycle starts again with the PS4... its like the never-ending story!

...Hmmm come to think of it; that would be a nice game to get onto our next gem systems, would it not?

Q!

"i am home"

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inkme101
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 12:12:08 AM
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i had a 60 gig when gow2 came out so i bought it and played it to death. if it had been a ps3 game at the time i dont think it wouldve made it. it wouldve been a bit shinier but full of bugs and glitches ill bet. then the franchise wouldnt been near what it is today. imo

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Robochic
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 12:40:16 AM
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When it first released, I had my 20gig with the B/C chip and we played the crap out of that game.
I am happy they left it for the PS2 I think the outcome would of been horrible for the franchise, I agree developers need time to get a feel for new Hardware so the game doesn't get butchered. GOW III is going to be amazing.

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jaybiv
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 1:04:45 AM
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No doubt it was a smart move. The numbers alone would suggest the PS2 was the console of choice. Couple that with the fact the launch PS3s were b/c, there was no reason to try to force the issue. Once again, Sony's long-term strategy is paying off in spades. I wonder where all the early naysayers are doing now??

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Kangasfwa
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 9:04:17 AM

"I wonder where all the early naysayers are doing now??"

Still naysaying.

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___________
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 1:40:35 AM
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they did the right thing.
sure it would of been nice to have GOW2 for the ps3 but
1 it would of come out later.
2 probably would of not been as good because they had to rush it.
3 would of got less exposure because most people did not have a ps3 at the time.
4 as Shuhei Yoshida said they wanted it to be game of the year, and best selling game.
bringing it to the ps3 would of hurt its chances to do either of those, plus would of pissed allot of fans off.
im glad it stuck with the ps2 because that way it makes GOW 3 more special.
this way its the first game on the ps3, and makes the wait less agonizing.
though having my cuz ask me when its coming out every time i see him is certainly not helping.

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bigrailer19
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 2:46:17 AM
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Yeah I think it may have been a not necessarily a bad decision but one they may have regreted, if GOW2 WAS RELEASED FOR THE ps3.

When I first got my PS3 at launch and GOW2 shortly after I wondered why it wasnt on the PS3. Byut then I realised the huge amount of PS2 owners out there. It was meant to be a PS2 game they made a good decision. The PS3 gets its chance now with GOW3 and it'll shine bright!

I remember reading something that MGS: Snake Easter was supposed to be on the PS3 but the length of time for the consoles release was further out than the game. I dont know but either way I'm glad it also came to the PS2, and we got MGS4 on the PS3.

Anyways as for GOW its one of the best games series ever, and no doubt they made a good choice!
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 1/26/2010 2:46:34 AM

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Snaaaake
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 3:19:03 AM
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It was a good and correct decision.

GOWII shows what PS2 is capable of even when surrounded by the 360 and PS3.

GOWII is the last great exclusive to come out on the PS2 and there was no better way to say goodbye.

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Feregrin
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 5:40:17 AM

"GOWII is the last great exclusive to come out on the PS2 and there was no better way to say goodbye."

Not much of an RPG player I take it. If you are, then you've missed out on two awesome SMT games - Persona 3 & 4.

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Andysw
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 4:25:42 AM
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They were all for quality.
Last edited by Andysw on 1/26/2010 4:25:50 AM

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gumbi
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 8:23:25 AM
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I definitely think it was smarter to make it for PS2. At the time PS3 had only just launched, AND that model of PS3 could play PS2 games. So releasing it for PS2 meant they could reach the largest user base, and work with a familiar platform that they already know how to squeeze the potential out of.

No brainer to me. It was perfect timing too, because then they were able to take the time and learn the PS3 architecture so GOW III could be a top notch game and blow us all away. Again.

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FullmetalX10
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 11:21:03 AM
Reply

I agree with all y'all peepz above and laterz below sayin it was all for the best of the franchise and the Sony machines.

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vicious54
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 2:27:49 PM
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They made a wise decision, there is no reason to question it. They may have sold more PS3s but think about how many 360 fanboys there were among the press, they would have destroyed it with low scores if any glitch was present.

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BikerSaint
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 7:03:12 PM
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Yup, all of the above!

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OriginalSin
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 @ 1:55:34 AM
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That's why I can't freakin wait for G.O.W.III to release here in my country. We will get the special edition with GOW1+2 packaged alongside GOWIII. So I will actually play through 1 and 2 before I touch 3...

That is if I can actually keep myself from III that is...

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