Infinity Ward: "You Can Always Take A Console Further"

With rumors concerning the next generation of consoles circulating, most gamers - and most developers - don't really want to think about it. Just ask Infinity Ward community manager Robert Bowling.

In a NowGamer interview, Bowling said there's "plenty of life left in the current crop of consoles," and Infinity Ward has no intention of looking forward to new hardware technology. And in all honesty, we certainly agree. There's just so much that can be done; we don't believe that something like Uncharted 2 is the best we'll ever see; designers haven't yet tapped into all the power that's available to them. Said Bowling:

"I think you can always take a console further. It’s all about hitting that glass ceiling but then finding ways to break through it. When we finished Call Of Duty 4, when we were done with it, we thought we’d hit that glass ceiling, but then, as you can see with Modern Warfare 2, we've found ways around it. We introduced texture streaming which allows you to do this and that opens up more doors, so we may not know it yet, but there is definitely much more you could do [with the current generation]."

Heck, even Naughty Dog said they could optimize their game engine still further if they wanted to do Uncharted 3 (and they had damn well better), and we're relatively convinced that Modern Warfare 2 will indeed represent a significant upgrade over the original title. Bowling says the biggest issue developers face is space and "if you can beat that, you're in good shape." Any good developer will tell you there's still a lot left to learn - perhaps especially in regards to the PlayStation 3 - so no, we're not all that interested in seeing a new generation of consoles, either. Just keep advancing with what we already have, please.

10/23/2009 11:00:12 AM Ben Dutka

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AshT
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 11:14:54 AM
Reply

Bowling doesn't need to hype MW2, it will sell like crazy neway.

1 up, 0 down

Wage SLAVES
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 5:34:08 PM

He was totally talking about advancing games on the current consoles...???

0 up, 0 down

oldmike
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 11:17:25 AM
Reply

there only mutiplat game maker that trys on the PS3
CoD4 was a bit short but good and the same on 360/PS3
This at a time were most were doing a crapy job

to bad there publisher is the most evil group in gameing

5 up, 0 down

aaronisbla
Saturday, October 24, 2009 @ 12:26:32 AM

take it you didnt try Batman AA, that game is a beast on both consoles

1 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Sunday, October 25, 2009 @ 4:56:49 AM

even Batman: AA had better frame rates and less texture tearing on the 360 version... IW goes all out to make sure that they get all those little problems fixed on the PS3 version. It's the benefit of having the biggest franchise on the PS3

0 up, 1 down

aaronisbla
Monday, October 26, 2009 @ 1:53:10 PM

If you are going by the lens of truth comparison, so be it. But dont sit here and act like it was a huge difference between the 2. Both ran extremely well with one version doing slightly better. A far cry from say, Orange Box.

I stand by my comment, Both systems had a very well made game with that one.

Last edited by aaronisbla on 10/26/2009 1:53:55 PM

1 up, 0 down

TheHighlander
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 11:24:16 AM
Reply

Personally, I would be disappointed if this console generation didn't have a longer life than the last one. The PS3 is only now hitting it's stride, I don't want to see a new console mentioned for at least three more years.

I don't know if that's possible though...

8 up, 0 down

fatelementality
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 5:16:44 PM

I'm sure that they will be cramming another console down our throats in about two years. Can't be sooner though. We would've heard something by now. Maybe an announcement at E3 next year, I don't know. Crooks. BTW, I just picked up U2. Goodbye.

Last edited by fatelementality on 10/23/2009 5:19:44 PM

1 up, 0 down

TheHighlander
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 5:24:18 PM

Hope you're not right about the next console arriving so soon.

Enjoy Uncharted 2.

1 up, 0 down

Wage SLAVES
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 5:35:58 PM

As much as I agree, I believe that used games are eating them alive. I think they will be almost forced to put a console out. These games can't be cheap to produce...

2 up, 0 down

TheHighlander
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 9:28:02 PM

@wageSlaves

How does launching a new console help against used game sales? It costs billions to develop and launch a new console. Used game sales are costing the console companies money, so how can they justify spending even more to develop a new console when the old one has yet to make money?

Digital download of games is the way to go, that and regular firmware changes that enhance security every time.

2 up, 1 down

maxpontiac
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 11:31:09 AM
Reply

Well, after playing Uncharted 2 (and still playing it), I am going to look at PS3 games in a different light.

I downloaded the "Infamy" trailer last night off the Playstation Store, and all I could think of while I was watching it was ---

- What if COD MW2 was a PS3 exclusive?

6 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 12:14:00 PM

ME2 looks like MW1. And it's only 600p. This becuase of the Xbox and the DVD no doubt.

4 up, 5 down

maxpontiac
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 2:16:22 PM

Jawknee -

After playing Uncharted 2, and then reading/watching about Naughty Dog's mastering of the Cell, I am 100% convinced of that.

4 up, 2 down

Wage SLAVES
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 5:38:41 PM

I don't think it looks like MW but I do agree it was hindered by a handicapped machine. Imagine this sucker with ND grade polish...mmmm, eye candy.

Last edited by Wage SLAVES on 10/23/2009 5:39:09 PM

3 up, 0 down

aaronisbla
Saturday, October 24, 2009 @ 12:30:44 AM

not trying to play devils advocate but, i don't buy that excuse of the 360 holding back the Modern Warfare franchise. Hell, you got games that look way better than it on the 360, let alone the ps3. Blame it on the devs, not the machines or the disk its on.

I mean, Battlefield Bad Company 2 craps all over MW2 in terms of graphical fidelity. And thats multiplatform.

My point is, its not always the 360's fault and this is one of those cases

Last edited by aaronisbla on 10/24/2009 12:36:49 AM

1 up, 4 down

maxpontiac
Saturday, October 24, 2009 @ 6:44:48 PM

aaronisbla -

I believe the 360 is a tech that will run its course sooner then it should. Why? The lack of a mandated Hard Drive, and the media format it uses.

The HDD is a hurdle that can be overcome, but I encourage you to listen to what Naughty Dog has stated regarding both issues. A game as big as Uncharted 2 benefited from the from both the mandatory hard drive and the blu ray.

For example, ND used 25 gigs of space on the Blu Ray disc. Thats three 360 discs. That's a big hinderance. As time progresses on, games will get bigger. Care to comment on Doom 4's 3 to 4 disc 360 version? That simple fact forces the developers to handle the game different. The DVD is obsolete.

I will also disagree with the your belief system of it being on developers shoulders. This is Infinity Ward we are speaking of, so what we have here is a top level game producer. Now while your logic may apply in regards to lower tier developers, MW2 is in excellent hands.

Please, by all means give me your reasons as to why the 360 is not hindering MW2 in the graphical and physics department. If you have played Uncharted 2 and Killzone 2, I don't know how you honestly can say that.

1 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Sunday, October 25, 2009 @ 4:46:53 AM

@max you do know that the 360 has twice the total available memory at any given time and has a much more stream lined console. Having the ability to utilize much larger textures is one of the benefits of being able to utilize more than 256 megs of ram without jumping through hoops to get to the processor's ram. The Cell is certainly the stronger of the two processors, but that ATI GPU will run circles around the the Nvidia GPU in the PS3. Each console has it's strengths and weaknesses and in the end it is on the shoulders of developers to truly utilize that strength. The problem with multi platform development comes with the extra man hours related to a PS3 port... or in the case of these guy at IW a whole separate team working along side the 360 team to make sure that both versions are utilizing the full potential that their engine can take it.

0 up, 0 down

aaronisbla
Monday, October 26, 2009 @ 1:58:34 PM

@max, i understand what you are trying to say. This isnt a hit against IW. But how is the 360 holding it back from making MW2 better in terms of graphics when there are BETTER looking Multiplatform games on both systems?

In your long answer, you failed to point out exactly how its being held back. Maybe for some other games someone can say this but not this one.

My point is, if IW wanted to make a better looking game, they could but they haven't. Like you said, these aren't so small time devs here right?

Last edited by aaronisbla on 10/26/2009 1:59:59 PM

0 up, 0 down

G-WiZ199
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 11:44:57 AM
Reply

Sony def does not have to make a new console anytime soon being that the PS3 raw power has yet to be pushed to the limit. But Microsoft HAS to come out with a new system. Without it, multi-platform games will never reach its full potential on the PS3.

7 up, 0 down

G8GTdriver
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 3:19:02 PM

I totally agree with you but what does MS care if PS3 versions of multiplat games aren't as good? Until more developers push the PS3 and want to work on more PS exclusives rather than MS it won't matter to them. With the line up of newly and soon to be released exclusives though its becoming evident that the PS3 can bring more to the table, hopefully more developers jump on board to push the PS3.

5 up, 0 down

G-WiZ199
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 11:58:00 AM
Reply

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 12:11:27 PM
Reply

Oh yea? Is that why MW2 is only 600p? Is that why as far as graphics go MW2 looks no better then MW1?

This guy wanted to say there's plently of PS3 left but couldn't because of the gag order MS placed on him. ;)

4 up, 5 down

TheHighlander
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 1:28:39 PM

Well, if I were to make a guess....MW2 runs at 600p because that's a convenient resolution for the Xbox 360's free anti-aliasing hardware to be used without a performance penalty. It being a multi-platform title, the target resolution on both consoles is the same, so the PS3 version get's stuck at the same 600p resolution. Sucks doesn't it?

7 up, 2 down

Jawknee
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 1:40:24 PM

Sure does.

4 up, 2 down

maxpontiac
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 2:18:02 PM

Highlander -

Yes. Yes it does suck..

4 up, 2 down

Fane1024
Saturday, October 24, 2009 @ 3:29:28 PM

Solution: buy Killzone 2 or MAG instead of COD 112.

0 up, 2 down

Deleted User
Sunday, October 25, 2009 @ 4:55:09 AM

The Xbox 360 holding down the resolution? That's a new one on me... what other fud will be thrown around next?

0 up, 0 down

aaronisbla
Monday, October 26, 2009 @ 2:00:50 PM

I thought they sacrificed resolution for 60fps...

0 up, 0 down

sha4dowknight05
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 12:30:59 PM
Reply

using the same technology in a diffrent way no need to upgrade to next gen right now

1 up, 0 down

JPHarvey
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 12:49:01 PM
Reply

If I had a 360 or a wii, I'd hope for next gen ASAP (Nintendo is simply not current gen and 360 needs BluRay as Infinity Ward seems to confirm here).

Since I have 2 PS3 and many games, I am certainly not in a hurry for a next gen Sony console and I am convinced that the 10 year lifespan of the PS3 will be met. It can be pushed further and further.

5 up, 0 down

fstop
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 1:21:18 PM

So true.

1 up, 0 down

fstop
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 1:14:55 PM
Reply

It's about time developers started making more comments like this. Why throw away all the knowledge you now know to learn completely new things for a new gen? Finishing learning all you can and when you've found yourself through that proverbial "glass ceiling" and in mid air with no place to go that's when you jump to the next platform.
I respect Sony so much for the constant reminder that they want the PS3 lifespan to last ten years (it will last longer but i'm happy with ten), it shows real forward thinking.
To maxpontiac,I did the same thing you did last night, downloaded the Infamy trailer. I then watched the behind the scenes of U2 and had the same thought. What if (just graphically) ND worked on MW2 and Infinity Ward did everything else? God help our senses. The greatest thought is what comes next?
No matter what we think now something in the near future will blow U2 out of the water right now...not possible. Next year is going to be EPIC (GOW3).

1 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 1:26:21 PM
Reply

They're obviously talking 'bout the ps3 and not that other console.

4 up, 0 down

www
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 1:48:11 PM
Reply

"Bowling says the biggest issue developers face is space and "if you can beat that, you're in good shape." "

So lemme get this straight, is games being limited because of the 360 ? Cause that's what most of us feel but others are still claiming games don't really need the blu-ray space, their doing fine on DVDs....sigh

1 up, 0 down

LinTr
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 1:52:54 PM
Reply

Could be. Devs tend to not use current gen fully from past experience. I'd like to see those obvious words tested @ the 2yr mark before the next gen rolls out. That seems to be the usual time when games show the graphical enhancements that put the early games to shame.

I don't get the space issue. Dev teams are aware of compression techniques/tricks that they have access to in droves. Bowling kinda touched on that with his "glass ceiling" comment.

1 up, 0 down

johnld
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 3:16:27 PM
Reply

I just find it funny that a multiplatform developer is the one talking about pushing a platform further. I got nothing against infinity ward, in fact i think they're one of the best developers...for multiplatforms at least. But if you are using the most common denominator when creating your game since its multiplatform, then you arent really pushing the system at all. You're just settling for something that works other than pushing it to the limits like Naughty Dog did with uncharted 2. But then again, you cant really compare first part/exclusive to multiplatforms. theres just no comparison in quality.

2 up, 0 down

Jian2069
Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 4:25:53 PM
Reply

please stay with this gen
I don't need to drop another couple hundred dollars for one purchase in the near future

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Saturday, October 24, 2009 @ 5:46:50 PM

Seriously buying a new gen console breaks the bank. My friend jut bought his 1st PS3. After HDMI, a few games, a second controller and the console. He was out like $600.

0 up, 0 down

fluffer nutter
Saturday, October 24, 2009 @ 6:50:18 PM

One could say he was "out" $600 but many would say that he was finally "in" for some great entertainment. ;)

Last edited by fluffer nutter on 10/24/2009 6:50:28 PM

1 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Sunday, October 25, 2009 @ 4:53:28 AM

he could have used that money to buy something useful though... like a new roof on the house... oh... wait that's why I don't have my PS3 yet :(

0 up, 0 down

___________
Saturday, October 24, 2009 @ 4:18:23 AM
Reply

we dont need a new set of consoles, but what i would like to see is a new PSP.
a completley new psp not a revision like the 3000 or go.
would be nice to see quad cores type going in there with a decent GPU and plenty of RAM.
and a 720P OLED screen, to small for 1080P.
slightly larger than the 3000s screen but theres allot of wasted space on the 3000, it would be easy to make the new psps screen larger than the 3000 but have the same dimensions overall.
than for media, memory stick M2 would be perfect.
decent read speeds, decent write speeds, impressive capacity with 32GB sticks available now, think theres even 64GB available.
and the largest advantage of that would be, almost everything has a memory slot.
all my PCs have one, both Tvs have one, hell even my printer has one.
everything these days comes with a memory stick port so that would make transferring titles easy as pie.
o and BC with PSP and PS1 games is a MUST!
O and how could i forget the second nub, sonys already promised that so i would be baffled if they release the next PSP without one.

1 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Sunday, October 25, 2009 @ 4:51:38 AM

OLED is maybe a bit much to wish for... but it is amazing... my Zune HD looks phenominal when viewing pictures or video... much better than even my CRT monitor.

0 up, 0 down

ohmikkie
Saturday, October 24, 2009 @ 8:51:46 AM
Reply

It would be nice if they pushed past the glass ceiling for PC games as well. instead of me forking out dosh every year just to keep me PC in spec.

i would like to see armed assault 2 (OFP2 is no substitute) and and the stalker franchise on the consoles if possible. I could boot me PC out the window then.

1 up, 0 down

DarkManX
Saturday, October 24, 2009 @ 1:44:06 PM
Reply

I like some games on PC but I am not a big PC gamer because it's cost is way to high and I prefer to sit on the couch and play with friends....back on topic, the ps3 is the best console this gen period.

0 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Sunday, October 25, 2009 @ 4:50:02 AM

it's to bad most developers don't seem to agree with you

1 up, 0 down

aaronisbla
Monday, October 26, 2009 @ 2:01:57 PM

its called an opinion, you don't have to argue someone's opinion at all times with witty one liners

1 up, 0 down

startazz
Saturday, October 24, 2009 @ 2:06:23 PM
Reply

I'm with him on the point of we don't need another generation of console yet,as i thought the ps3 was meant to have at least a ten year life cycle,iv'e had the my ps3 from day one and i'm well happy with it and as long as the updates keep coming and the games keep getting better whats the point,for now that is ;-)

0 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Sunday, October 25, 2009 @ 4:48:38 AM
Reply

well 2012 is three years away and will be around the same life span of the PS2 for the PS3 and 7 years for the 360... so it wouldn't be to soon if it was launched around then, but I wouldn't mind it being pushed to 13 or 14.

0 up, 0 down

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