Shoddy Ports Promote Multiplatform Gaming

No, this isn't 2007 when crappy PlayStation 3 ports abounded ('cough' The Orange Box 'cough') but even so, we still can't seem to leave such unpleasantness behind. At least, not entirely.

EA got in the doghouse early by shafting PS3 owners with Madden 09; the version for Sony's machine ran at only 30 frames per second while other versions fared much better in that department. EA has since cleaned things up and we haven't seen many significant differences between PS3/360 versions of their games. But just this year, despite Sega's assurances, Bayonetta lagged on the PS3, and I had to remind everyone that the 360 version was a 9+ game (as most sources claimed). Just recently, Mafia II underwhelmed critics; the console version was significantly inferior to the PC version. I'm not sure if there were clear differences between the PS3 and 360 versions, but the point is that Mafia II is best played on one platform above all others.

There does appear to be a formula that seems to work almost 100% of the time: if a game is made on one platform first, and then brought to other platforms, the original platform invariably gets the best version. If the designer works on all versions simultaneously (and most are doing that these days), nobody gets ripped off. Platinum learned from their mistake with Bayonetta and made sure that the upcoming Vanquish wouldn't piss off PS3 owners. They did use the PS3 as the lead dev platform but they already had a working knowledge of the 360 after their stylish action slashfest earlier this year. But the problem still exists in the industry and if exclusives don't promote multiplatform gaming, the shoddy ports do. Hardcore gamers have always been better off with multiple options, anyway. If you're willing to shell out, of course.

So if you were only a 360 owner and were considering a PS3 purchase due to games like Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, God of War III, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Gran Turismo 5, and Heavy Rain, you'd also like to know that Final Fantasy XIII is probably best played on Sony's machine. If you were a PS3 owner, and titles like Gears of War 2, Alan Wake, Mass Effect 2 (yes, it's coming to the PS3 but you wouldn't have known that back then, would you?), Fable II, and Halo 3/Halo: Reach didn't entirely convince you, it'd be good to know that Bayonetta is best experienced on Microsoft's console. In the end, we want the best versions of games we intend to play and as of yet, they're not all identical across all major platforms.

Tags: ps3, playstation 3, xbox 360, wii, multiplatform

9/6/2010 11:59:59 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (103 posts)

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MartyRules
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 12:22:22 PM
Reply

At the rate ps3s are selling now, I see them working with ether ps3 first or just making it on ps3.

9 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:26:18 PM

I certainly hope so. It pays off. Sony once said its good for the industry if they remain the leaders and i think that rings true more than ever with this subject.

6 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 6:26:29 PM

I hope so. Anyone with a clue just needs to take a look at the visual and audio quality of Uncharted 2, Killzone 2, and MGS4 to see that point.

Or...

Come November 2nd, examine GT5 and Forza 3 next to each other.

5 up, 0 down

frylock25
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 12:27:44 PM
Reply

im happy with my ps3 and i am pretty sure i do not need a xbox. i have been checkin into the few games i want that are on the box and i can get them on my computer. i have so many games to play already i dont know that i need anything else to play right now.

ive said it before and i will say it again, port is a 4 letter swear word.

5 up, 0 down

bOnEs
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 12:42:53 PM
Reply

the ports that aren't quite as good as their counterparts on the xbox doesn't really bother me at all... dragon age's framerate dropped in the PS3 version but, it didn't keep me from playing it... if the game is still good, it's not really an issue for me...

i think this whole thing is being blown way out of proportion on the internet... then again, this is the internet we're talking about...

3 up, 1 down

shadowscorpio
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 1:00:47 PM

I don't know what it is but the only reason I couldn't get into Dragon Age Origins for PS3 was precisely because of the framerate issues.

0 up, 0 down

FullmetalX10
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 12:58:30 PM
Reply

My belly is happy enough with all the PS3 exclusives, it doesn't need multiplatforms, even though a dessert sometimes isn't unwanted, but for the rest of the time, I'm stuffed.

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 12:59:53 PM
Reply

We still see crappy ports though not as many.

Really, i a little more than tired of ports. Last generation ports came with a reduced price tag. This gen, the devs try to pass of them off as though it was the original intended platform.

Given that list of Xbox exclusives, i won't be buying another Box anytime soon(probably never, i don't reward bad products). Funny how we always here Xbox has more exclusives yet that list never seems to grow. It consists of the same old tired games. Shooters, shooters, more shooters then Fable.

Last edited by Jawknee on 9/6/2010 1:01:44 PM

16 up, 1 down

shadowscorpio
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 1:03:14 PM

You're right. Critical minds can see through Microsoft's lies

6 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 1:17:50 PM

*hear

5 up, 1 down

frylock25
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 1:18:18 PM

when xbox came out with better graphics than the ps2 developers always made the xbox look better. no questions asked intentionally done xbox got a better version. it was the more powerful machine. now the ps3 is clearly more powerful and developers still make the 360 better. i am starting to think M$ is behind this somehow.

Last edited by frylock25 on 9/6/2010 1:20:17 PM

4 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 10:00:25 AM

You mean the 360 is more powerful than the PS2, right? Cause the PS2 was the sickness.

0 up, 0 down

frylock25
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 2:44:43 PM

no the xbox was more powerful than the ps2. even if it was just a little. games like gta look better on the xbox. think back. ps2 came out in 2000. xbox came out in 2002. all M$ did was copy the ps2 and put slightly better graphics capability in it.

ps2 kicked so much ass because it played all ps1 games, has a huge library 10 years strong and is still supported today.

xbox sucked because it was around for barely 4 years and the new machine does not play all the old games.

there is still a way to play every game that sony has ever put on the market.

0 up, 0 down

Metallisnake
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 1:02:24 PM
Reply

ben u say the orange box was a horrible port can u expalin is it because the lagfest in team fortress 2 or is it the half life games in it or portal perhaps

0 up, 0 down

johnld
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:42:41 PM

if i remember correctly, it was about the framerate and graphics of half life 2 and lack of support for team fortress 2. i have the orange box right now but so far i've only played portal.

1 up, 0 down

Shams
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:51:39 PM

From what i heard, the load times were a bit longer, there was a bit more slow-down in HL games, the quincunx AA in Portal gave it the smeared-vaseline look supposedly, and TF2 was a bit more laggy.

But I still thoroughly enjoyed the package on thanksgiving of that year. Portal was revolutionary, and i had never played the HL games, so it was still very much worth it for me even at full retail price.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 4:05:11 PM

When playing Halflife the game would freeze at check points. Sometimes for a few seconds others for over a minute. Sometimes i would have to just shut the console off. My friend has it on the 360 and it plays great. i played it at his house and thats was the reason i wanted it. After playing with the PS3 version for a few hours, i shelved it then finally gave it away to a older guy at my work who just bought a PS3 and didn't have any games.

0 up, 0 down

Hezzron
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 1:11:02 PM
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I find the games that happen to have a sub-par version on one platform or another, aren't really worth making a fuss over anyways.

4 up, 1 down

Wissam
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 1:38:00 PM
Reply

Sorry but crappy ports and multi platform games don't deserve my time. Sure I am missing some good games though. but I have no interest in them.

3 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 2:04:59 PM

well all i have to say to u is Red Dead Redemption, Batman:AA, Assassin's creed II...if u are missing out of thos then u are a gaming loser.

2 up, 4 down

Wissam
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 2:17:02 PM

These are high profile games. but they are not my type. and I do not see myself as a gaming loser.

5 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 2:27:08 PM

Why is he a loser for reserving his time and money for the best of the best? Hes voting with his wallet.

I agree there are some multiplats worth it but most aren't.

7 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:40:57 PM

@ThEInFamOusgOd
Those aren't my type of games too, people have their own opinions. Even more than half my ps3 library is made up multi-platforms.

4 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 1:49:59 PM
Reply

I don't know why you single out the Orange Box, I only ever had slight framerate issues in Half-life 2: Episode 2. But then, I have a tendency not to notice below par graphics and screen tearing, so maybe I'm just missing something. Maybe I got lucky?

To be perfectly honest, I couldn't really care less if the game plays better or looks better on another platform, as long as it looks and plays good enough on my own. I just can't get wound up by these shoddy ports, as most of the time, they don't seem as bad to me as they are made out to be. Go figure.

While I can see your logic in proclaiming that poor ports are a catalyst in people choosing one platform over another, I don't really think it makes all that much difference. It's like I was going off about at work yesterday, very few people seem to care about quality, so in many instances, they'll simply take the best option that they've got (or the easiest/cheapest), which is to buy these second-rate ports.

If I remember correctly, both DMC4 and Burnout Paradise were built on the PS3 then ported over, yet I read of no complaints or differences between the two versions. I think the problem lies solely in the PS3 hardware, as it genuinely seems harder to get a game working at full efficiency as opposed to the more standard layout of other systems. I'm not technically minded, so I'll just let other people duke that one out.
Peace.

1 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 2:03:40 PM

Its not the PS3's fault rather the developers who are unwilling to make the PS3 versions of their games shine.

The reason DMC4 and Burnout turned out good on both consoles was because they did what Platinum did with Vanquish. Built the game on the PS3 then ported it to Xbox. EA has also expressed that working on the PS3 then porting to Xbox works better then the other way around. Some have actually said it benefits the Xbox version when the work is done on the PS3 first.

The problem with ports is they usually don't run as well or look as good as the original unless the developer does the extra optimization. In the cases where they don't (The Orange Box, Bayonnetta, Mafia II, etc.) the console getting the port is getting an inferior, buggy product. There for, in my opinion, we shouldn't be charged as much. Like i said before, ports last gen were generally considered inferior and came a with a reduced price. Look at Capcom with Resident Evil 4 on the PS2. Lower quality, cheaper price.

Last edited by Jawknee on 9/6/2010 2:19:00 PM

3 up, 1 down

Shams
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 4:44:00 PM

The technicalities of the matter is this: most devs in the beginning of this gen, and quite a few currently, did not use the Cell, and did not take advantage of the bluray. And although the RSX (ps3 graphics chip) can do a number of things better than the 360's, it was meant to be more like a beginner's tool, so that most of the work would eventually be off loaded on to the Cell during the development cycle.

The 360's graphics chip benefited from a completely sharable ram of 512MB DDR3 between the graphics and system memory, and although not even being a 3rd as fast as the ps3's XDR 256MB memory dedicated for video with an additional, sharable DDR3 256MB, it allowed devs to program their game with greater ease because they did not have to worry as much about allocating partitioned memory.

In addition, the 360's graphics chip benefited from it's hardware based AA, and though it was optimized to perform at subHD, the upscaler chip would then boost the resolution (non-natively of course)...where as the software based AA and quincunx of the ps3's graphics chip was optimized to perform at HD, but gave the graphics a vaseline-smear effect, which wasn't as sharp.

Some ports early on in the generation, like Deadspace, actually had better versions on the ps3. thanks to being able to store uncompressed data on the bluray, and because of the memory allocation of the ram. So although both had identical graphics and gameplay, the ps3's version had better sound and video quality, thanks to being not compressed, and supporting dolby 7.1. Burnout Paradise is another example of a game that saw a slightly better version on the ps3.

However, 1st-party studios very quickly began to show what was possible with the Cell (along with one very special 3rd party studio headed by none other than Hideo Kojima). Games like Uncharted and MGS4, soon to be followed by Killzone 2 and Uncharted 2, showed that the ps3 was in fact capable of the best performance drastically overshadowing anything else out there on consoles. Quite truly, hypothetically without the licensing-restrictions of 1st party franchises, porting these games to the 360 would be like trying to port a 360 game to a Wii...

4 up, 1 down

Temjin001
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 6:59:41 PM

"Some have actually said it benefits the Xbox version when the work is done on the PS3 first. "

I remember a PR person saying that as well. While I think there's a lot of ambiguity with such a claim, there is an example that may hold some validity.

Ninja Gaiden 2 was custom designed for 360's strengths. While the game may have pushed around a lot more polygons (more enemies on the screen and 60fps cutscenes), it definitely didn't look as pretty on the bling-bling side of things as the PS3 follow-up, NGS2 (much better shader effects, higher res, scaleable AA, more colorful).
The reformed Team Ninja was faced with a conundrum: do a slap-stick port by shaving down elements because of convenience (the norm with multi-plats going from 360 to PS3--see Bayonetta), or work harder and do it right by re-engineering the game around PS3's abilities. The end result of Team Ninja's PS3 efforts is a game that brought to light the balance of the RSX's design ( a balance of vertex and shader processing) making for a prettier, "better looking" game opposed to a game that was slim on the shaders but heavy on the vertices. Team Ninja also did well to re-tune the enemy AI and health to accommodate the fewer enemies.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 7:22:43 PM

I don't remember exactly who said it but it wasn't a PR guy for what i do remember. it was a developer. Not a Sony rep. He said something about the PS3 requiring "cleaner code" than the 360 so when you transfer the "cleaner code" to the 360, it benefits from it.

If i can find the article, I'll post it. can't find it as of now.

0 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 5:24:35 AM

Thanks for the info there Shams. Thanks for the input Jawknee and Temjin. Very informative, but I still don't understand WHY there is such a huge differential between the quality of the ports. Is it really just lazy development? Is it really that PS3 development serves as an aid to 360 development? Or is it that the PS3 is truly that different from the architecture of the 360 that it becomes intimidatingly difficult for the devs to try to make it match up?

A discussion for another day perhaps, I must retreat into the land of dreams: LittleBigPlanet. Only I'll be going to sleep, not turning on my PS3 again. Not tonight anyway.
Peace.

1 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 1:58:41 PM
Reply

I just got one thing to say I LIKE OWNING BOTH SYSTEMS there is no reson to own one only gaming system in less you are a loud mouth gaming fanboy. its great to know that i can play any game i want on what ever system i want. like Bayonetta for exsample i brought it day one for the Ps3 biggest mistake of my life it did not even last that night it still sits on my gaming shelf to this day but i recently i brought Bayonetta for the 360 and i am really enjoy it.

2 up, 12 down

Clamedeus
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 2:20:38 PM

If a console that doesn't have what you want then I think It's an obvious reason to only own one.

Most people I know own a PS3 and a PC.

4 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 2:30:27 PM

Your the one who sounds like a loud mouth fanboy. I don't like Gears, Halo or Fable so why should i spend 300 plus dollars on a console that offers nothing more then shooters, shooters and Fable? I own a PS3, PC and a Wii. I enjoy all of them, PS3, Wii, PC in that order.

I chose to spend my money wisely and spending it on a console that dies every few months or shuts off by itself when you have played it too long is not a wise investment.

10 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:46:21 PM

Oh you know, maybe some of us don't like to buy crappy hardward that is unreliable.

4 up, 0 down

johnld
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:48:32 PM

i LIKED having a 360 but it just collected dust after i found and beaten infinite undiscovery for 10 bucks. but right now there arent any games worth spending my money on a new 360. besides, i refuse to support a company that decided to fix a hardware failure that they created by rushing their product by TAKING OUT THE LIGHTS ON THE RED RING to "fix" the Red Ring Of Death problem.

2 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 2:41:48 PM
Reply

360 and Ps3 is they only way to if you are a real gamer. I'm keeping it at that. as for the 360 i may be on my 3rd 360 and its running cooler then my other 2 360 ever did and its been 6 months now and still no damagies to my 360 discs and its don't even get that loud like other people sime to complane about.

1 up, 8 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 2:46:20 PM

Yea well, there is no litmus test for being a gamer. the 360 is a been there done that, i ditched it after my first one died twice. Maybe i am a fanboy for not rewarding crappy products with more of my money. What does that make YOU for continuing to waste your money on junk?

Last edited by Jawknee on 9/6/2010 2:47:04 PM

8 up, 2 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:05:34 PM

Let this go.

8 up, 1 down

frylock25
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:16:29 PM

the ps3 versus the 360 arguement is like the mustang vs the camaro arguement. it all comes down to opinion and taste. it often is not worth argueing about and usually does not change anyones minds.

i guess the wii would be like a toyota corolla ;) lol

1 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:24:35 PM

360= GM, Chrysler.
PS3= Ford, Honda, Toyota, Ferrari or any car that isn't a gas guzzling junker.

haha

2 up, 3 down

just2skillf00l
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:29:22 PM

Hey! No jokes about the the corolla. My baby's very sensitive.

2 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:32:07 PM

The Wii is like a Corolla, not a lot of horse power, but one of the most reliable and efficient cars you can buy.

5 up, 2 down

just2skillf00l
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:39:08 PM

Thanks for the placating words. I think my baby stopped revving (strokes white finish repeatedly). (Speaks gently, almost to that of a whisper) It's okay...you're attractive to me.

2 up, 1 down

Underdog15
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 10:08:14 AM

Wow... a whole six months without an issue... obviously a God-like machine.... /sarcasm/

I still have my 60gig release PS3. Still going strong (but with 500gigs now).

2 up, 1 down

just2skillf00l
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:21:28 PM
Reply

ROFLMAO! Sorry Ben. I just had to LOL at that guy's comments. I'm overheating...wait...NO it's my 360! Not again! Well guess I should go get another one. Oh man! LOL! Pretty tedious cycle for 360 owners.

"You know what time it is? Not mating season...RROD season"!

"Man mine just inwardly combusted this time! How bout yours"?

"It...it...it just disappeared".?

Last edited by just2skillf00l on 9/6/2010 3:27:04 PM

0 up, 1 down

tes37
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:28:06 PM
Reply

The alternative to shoddy ports on the ps3, good versions of games on a shoddy system. To me, that's not a fair trade off.

I can afford to buy any game that I want by sticking with one console.

It would be nice to know if developers have to replace their xbox's that they test with, as often as the general public has to.

2 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:37:08 PM
Reply

I've been thinking about getting bayonetta on boxing day. Is there any big differences from the patch and the release versions?

0 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:37:10 PM
Reply

a person who likes all types of games..........and i end it here........

currently playing
360: Alan Wake
Ps3: Red Dead Redemption

1 up, 3 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:50:31 PM
Reply

I get what you're saying and everything Ben, and yeah there's some 360 titles I'd like to try, but the crappyness of that system keeps me from risking it. I'd rather have a Dragon Age with framerate issues than no Dragon Age because the system I bought it for doesn't work. What scares me is that people pay for online to play the same games we do for free.

6 up, 0 down

just2skillf00l
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:56:37 PM

@World
Exactly! I couldn't imagine paying for online gaming. 360 owners claim that they have better online experiences though. I really just don't understand why more people own 360's. Xbots claim that PS3's cost more but when you total in all that you pay for online games and replaced consoles, the PS3 is easily the smarter choice.

6 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 3:57:16 PM

And that fee was just increased another $10. i would have thought MS would just start making LIVE free like PSN if they wanted to keep up. I have so many friends who played their 360s offline because they refused to pay to play. Now most of them own PS3's and wonder why it took them so long to come over to the "darkside." haha

In the end, if the PS3 was a junker i wouldn't continue buying it either. Even with all the fantastic games it has. I just don't function that way. You reward crap, you get more crap. Small wonder MS simply removed the Red Lights to fix the RROD. LOL! People like our friend here continue to buy it anyway!

I hope 360 people don't reward their kids the way they reward MS.

Last edited by Jawknee on 9/6/2010 3:58:42 PM

7 up, 1 down

Clamedeus
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 4:11:14 PM

I don't like paying for online as well, you have the cable bill to pay and on the 360 you basically have another bill, just for a couple extra features.

Same for my games, i don't like paying for online for it the only way i would pay for anything is things in the game but that's it for me.

@Jawknee did MS seriously just remove only the red lights? Lol

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 4:18:50 PM

That's what it seems like. There is no longer a red light or rings on the front of the console. Instead the green light on the power brick will turn red and the console will shut down on its own when it gets too hot to avoid over heating and damaging the hardware. It actually warns you with a nice little message that the console will now be shutting down due to extended use and heat. lol

Seems instead of actually fixing the problem, they just put a band-aid over it. And not even the good ones made of fabric that stick like a fly on...sticky sugar paper. haha

3 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 4:32:48 PM

If I played more online, or if I wasn't lucky enough to have a 360 that hasn't broken yet (still on my first), I'd be more inclined to agree.

But trust me, I'm well aware of the craptastic, even catastrophic, reliability of the 360. I'm the ONLY one I know on my first; nobody I know has had less than FOUR.

If that had happened to me, I'd be more willing to abandon Gears and Halo.

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 5:24:38 PM

As you know I'm not a huge online gamer either, but sometimes it's good for an hour's entertainment. Maybe since you don't go on LIVE Ben, that's why your system survives. It isn't slowly poisoned with secret online code. ;)

1 up, 0 down

frylock25
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 6:02:13 PM

Ben do you knock on wood everytime you tell someone its still your first 360? lol

0 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 7:09:44 PM

Something to keep in mind, that ever since (for nearly 2 years now) the 360 has been outfitted with the Jasper chipset (12v) RRoD should be nearly non-existant these days.

1 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 10:52:19 PM

That chip didnt get rid of the RROD, it lessened how many of them got it but the console still has a fairly high failure rate jasper or no jasper.

1 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 2:38:47 AM

If you got stats on that Jawknee, I'd like to see them. I've done some Google searches but come up with some pretty weak, and un-specified findings--website polls that don't delineate models etc. The reason I'm skeptical of RRoD/E74 being a big problem anymore with the newer models is because of the very nature of what caused RRoD to begin: Heat.

The Jasper chips were designed specifically to address the heat issue by implementing enhanced heat sinks and a lower power consumption chipset (less heat). Logically, it would only seem accurate to say that the heat issue had been significantly negated with these newer 360 models. Perhaps it's still too soon to say what their failure rate is having been on the market for less than 2 years (or about that).

This isn't to say I think MS is good in the hardware business. I think they're quite terrible, actually. They single-handledly launched the faultiest most un-reliable peace of gaming hardware in all of history. Of all the generations of gaming consoles that have come and gone, defect rumors had always ran rampant, and yet, statistically, the truth revealed that such rumors came out to be a very insignificant number of consoles. Leave it to MS to actually turn bad myths into reality.

Though, I think it's important to note that even Sony's launch model PS3's didn't hold up as well as I'd like them too have--I'm an YloD victim.

1 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 5:18:09 AM

A favourite quote of an old friend of mine: 'On a long enough time scale, all survival rates drop to zero.'

It's just that some have a tendency to die earlier than others. With the possible exception of Nintendo products. When the apocalypse comes, all that'll be left is cockroaches and N64s.
Peace.

0 up, 0 down

SirLoin of Beef
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 11:24:15 AM

"But trust me, I'm well aware of the craptastic, even catastrophic, reliability of the 360. I'm the ONLY one I know on my first; nobody I know has had less than FOUR."

Now you know a second. My first 360 is still going strong. I bought a second a while ago when I found a deal for the (then new) 60GB model with HDMI so I can have 7-8 friends over and play some Halo MP games.

I do, however, count myself extremely lucky that my first machine never took a dirt nap.

0 up, 0 down

just2skillf00l
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 4:08:34 PM
Reply

I hear you man. Despite all its flaws though there are a few games I would like to play on the 360. Most if not all are RPG's and then there's Alan Wake. From a smart consumer's POV though there really isn't a overwhelming incentive to get one.

1 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 4:13:37 PM

360 exclusives just don't seem to harness the same amount of quality as PS3 exclusives. They are usually riddled with bugs and screen tearing. Some seem to perform on a same level as your lower end multiplatform games. If the console was reliable and had games that were at least as good as some of the PS3 exclusives out there i would still own one. But at this point, there's no reason too. I don't but DVD's anymore, while shoddy ports still exist they are fewer and if i want to play shooters, why would i choose Gears of Uncharted or Halo over Killzone?

All 360 exclusives should just go multiplatform while PS3 exclusives remain exclusive. hahaha

Last edited by Jawknee on 9/6/2010 4:14:41 PM

0 up, 2 down

just2skillf00l
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 4:20:46 PM

Reward quality. I think that's why most PS3 owners decided to get the system. It's true that PS3 exclusives are head and heels over most 360 exclusives. However, another reason I decided to get the PS3 was in anticipation for JRPGs. I must say, this is the one aspect lacking this generation. If good JRPGs were as prevalent this gen as the last then I know I would have a shelf full of them. I have no JRPGs this gen. It's sad because this is my favorite genre of gaming. More so even, the reason I love gaming as much as I do. I'm into turn-based preferably.

The only game that seems to have offered my cup of tea is Lost Odyssey. However, unfortunately, it's a 360 title. :(

Last edited by just2skillf00l on 9/6/2010 4:23:31 PM

1 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 4:27:39 PM

Oh you and me both brother. When buying my first PS3 in early 2008 from Circuit City i had Final Fantasy XIII in my head. I was hoping for a line of great JPRG's to play, i have none. Hahaha. Eternal Sonata is the best I've got for the PS3. Sad thing is, I'm getting my JPRG fix this gen from DS rehashes of old Final Fantasy games and DragonQuest IX. So far, DQIX is proving to be a better, more enjoyable JRPG than Final Fantasy XIII.

Last edited by Jawknee on 9/6/2010 4:30:54 PM

0 up, 1 down

just2skillf00l
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 4:46:22 PM

Buying the PS3 with FF13 in your head. It's like you borrowed that right out of my memory bank, LOL. It's a shame what system of fighting it (turn)ed out not to be (based) on.

You seem to really enjoy the DQ games. I've never played one before actually. Are they any good?

0 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 5:22:21 PM

DragonQuest VIII for the PS2 to this day remains my favorite JRPG's next to Final Fantasy VII. I haven't played the PS1 installments, but VIII was fantastic. IX, while bitesized, is turning out to be just as enjoyable.

Plus, I am a HUGE fan of Akira Toryiama and anything he's involved in. He does all the character and monster designs for every DragonQuest/DraqonWarrior ever made.

0 up, 1 down

Scarecrow
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 4:11:03 PM
Reply

Sony and Nintendo, everything else can bite the dust

1 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 4:22:03 PM
Reply

When my 360 overheated and died back in 2008 it took me a couple days to get over it and ever since then I've looked back at my purchase of a 360 with regret. If the same were to happen to my PS3 (I'd just use my other one more, but lets act like I only have one) I'd be very upset and be in a hurry to replace it with another one.

MS's crappy hardware design for the original 360s I think led to many new PS3 owners after their 360s died on them prematurely.

This is the first generation multiplatforming has been really big and full across the board. I think with the next generation developers will learn to develop games more consistently for the particular console their programming for.

Last edited by LimitedVertigo on 9/6/2010 4:22:17 PM

2 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 4:29:52 PM

What if the PS3 kept dying? would you really keep replacing it?

I suppose if the failures were every few years(my original 60gb crapped out after 3 years)another purchase wouldn't be as shameful as those 360 owners who have bought 3 or for of them within 1 or 2 years.

0 up, 1 down

just2skillf00l
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 4:30:58 PM

@LV
I hope so; but then again I hope not. Personally, I think the 360 has it's share of interesting exclusive titles. Not to the extent that Sony has but titles that I would love to see come to Sony's machine. I hope that developers that were once exclusive devs for Sony officially realize their success on both platforms is unlikely. Devs like Square really need to humbly crawl back to Sony. As things are, better quality titles are exclusive releases and I want better quality games. Simple as that.

0 up, 1 down

just2skillf00l
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 4:37:34 PM

Have to agree with Jawk on this one. If my PS3 kept breaking down then I'd be done with the system. I defend the PS3 because it is a reliable piece of hardware. If Sony suddenly fell off and started to produce 360 quality PS3s then they would lose a loyal consumer. I prefer the PS3 over the 360 because it has the power that lives up to my expectations and needs. If the next generation of gaming the Xbox720 sports free online service while the PS4 sports premium-only services, I'll side with the Xbox720.

Last edited by just2skillf00l on 9/6/2010 4:39:01 PM

0 up, 1 down

www
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 5:47:33 PM
Reply

With Mafia 2, it was about the 360 having grass which was absent on the ps3 lol. Till this day, I still think most multiplatform games look better on the 360, except for quite a few like FFXIII, Dragon Age. Madden, Fifa, NBA, most sports games especially coming from EA are still better looking on 360.

The PS3 always seems to employ the infamous "blur/vaseline" effect and its getting quite annoying at least to me, gives me headaches, compared to the 360's sharper images. And we've been told several times the power of the ps3 hasn't been fully tapped bla bla, we've waited too long, maybe there's nothing more to tap like the Crytek boss said. The memory issues might have crippled the ps3's potential. It's the truth friends, told you I was never a fanboy ;) Still, the ps3 has by far the best exclusives. But for multiplats, I think the 360 got it on lock.

2 up, 6 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 6:42:00 PM

Because multiplat makers still aren't using the memory in the PS3 the proper way.

1 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 7:01:10 PM

From what I could tell Dead Space looks better on the PS3. Don't play sports games so I can't say much about those.

Word is right though. These devs aren't using the PS3 the way it was designed for. Hardly any, if any even use the Cell.

Last edited by Jawknee on 9/6/2010 7:03:02 PM

2 up, 1 down

Clamedeus
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 7:04:04 PM

360 has sharper image? Uncharted 2 is all i have to say.

3 up, 3 down

Jawknee
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 7:14:57 PM

That all comes down to preference. I happen like the softer look. I'd rather the character models look softer and more life like than plasticy action figures with Vaseline cakes on them like most games the 360 produces. They all look like greasy dolls when compared to Kratos or Nathan Drake.

PS3 graphics tend to produce more life like images in my opinion. When i look at a tree or a piece of grass in real life it doesn't look like its made of plastic HD pixels. Theres always a slight blur to everything we see in life.

Last edited by Jawknee on 9/6/2010 7:16:07 PM

0 up, 0 down

www
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 8:18:33 PM

"plasticy action figures with Vaseline cakes on them like most games the 360 produces".............Lmao Jawk, we all know that's very apparent with Unreal Engine graphics, even on ps3 they still look plasticy. Yes I know, some things appear slightly blur in real life but that's the ps3's excuse for applying the quincunx anti-aliasing which gives that blur effect as opposed to 360's multi-sampling anti-aliasing which retains the image's sharpness. Like you said 'preference', and I do prefer my photos the way they are as against those photoshop edited photos with soft or blur touches

World, I believe their using it the proper way. Seriously, these multiplat devs would've made the ps3 versions better if they could, but they've done their best. Tekken 6 & SF made use of the blu-ray giving advantages in cutscenes with the ps3 version, but that's as far as they went.

Clamedeus, Uncharted 2 is the best game exclusive ever, it craps on Gears or Halo but the question is, could Uncharted look sharper on 360.....

Last edited by www on 9/6/2010 8:20:45 PM

0 up, 0 down

Clamedeus
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 9:27:05 PM

The developers only know so much of the PS3 they might be doing the best they can but there is still much more they can learn about it to make it even better.

I think the reason why they don't go all out on the PS3 version is because the 360 version would be left out since it doesn't have enough space to hold the amount of data/content than the Blu-Ray disc could have. So to make it convenient they make both versions identical as possible so they don't have multiple discs to make it a big hassle for people.

That's just my theory.

EDIT: Also not many developers are good with the PS3's architecture as the 1st party devs are so that could be why. They must be doing something wrong if it doesn't look good.

Last edited by Clamedeus on 9/6/2010 9:30:26 PM

0 up, 0 down

Shams
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 10:39:37 PM

What Clam said.

Games like U2, and KZ2 utilize the cell heavily, which means it would have to be made from scratch if it were to be ported over. And as the devs said themselves, that would be impossible, or nearly so. Additionally, they take up a lot of space (on a bluray). Which means even if it were spread over multiple DVDs, data would have to be compressed, and the quality in video and audio would be sacrificed...IF, that is to say, that the code could be rewritten for the Xenon chipset...

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 10:45:50 AM

It was either the Infamous or Uncharted dev that said they could only make their games on the PS3.

0 up, 0 down

THEVERDIN
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 6:06:17 PM
Reply

@ThEInFamOusgOd

I'm sure MS thanked you for all your purchases buy giving you what?
Another HALO.

7 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 7:29:59 PM

WHAT IS HALO ??? never heard of that game never played because its a shooter.

0 up, 5 down

Lawless SXE
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 5:15:07 AM

Well, obviously you know it's a shooter so you have to have heard of it... Flawed logic, my friend.
Peace.

2 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 6:38:48 PM
Reply

" ... you'd also like to know that Final Fantasy XIII is probably best played on Sony's machine."

Not probably, it is better on Sony's machine =p

1 up, 0 down

just2skillf00l
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 8:05:36 PM
Reply

The down-vote legend has struck again! Will the culprit ever be unmasked? Will sonic ever succeed in a 3D universe? Nope!

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 9:04:16 PM

Gawd made him do it.

2 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 10:46:56 AM

Is Gawd the valley-girl version of God?

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 11:28:11 PM

No it's a shemale with a cross stapled to its baack.

0 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 10:04:12 PM
Reply

We'll still see crappy port no doubt but it's getting rare.
As a PS3 owner I gotta say that PS3 exclusives has spoiled me, I don't get interested in multiplat unless the game look like it's for me.

3 up, 0 down

Clamedeus
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 10:10:35 PM

I'm with you on that.

3 up, 0 down

A2K78
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 10:23:05 PM
Reply

shoddy ports aren't really meant to promote multiplatform gaming, but rather encourage the consumer to play/buy what is considered the superior version. Whats funny is the fact the practice isn't new but goes well back to when arcades were dominant...certain titles where the console and arcade version could match,the console conversions/ports were always shoddy and suffered from technical problems. Why do you think even till this day despite the power of the PS3 and 360 the console versions Virtua Fighter 5, Tekken 6 and even Virtua Tennis 4 suffered in conversion...its obvious that Namco and SEGA wanted gamers playing the arcade release instead of the console versions.

Last edited by A2K78 on 9/6/2010 10:25:21 PM

0 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Monday, September 06, 2010 @ 11:27:27 PM
Reply

I saw Ben Paddon and his ignorant, no-nothing attitude about "ports" on his lame website today.

"The scarcity of PS3 exclusives coupled with the almost uniformly bad ports the PS3 gets have relegated my PS3 to little more than a Bluray player I can occasionally play PSone and PS2 games on (the PS2 support, at least, takes some of the sting out of being an early adopter)."

Spoken like a true Xbot. Just an angry little British man who thinks he's better than everybody else just because he has a website. "Almost uniformly bad ports"? "Scarcity of PS3 exclusives"? This guy obviously drops his pants at the site of an Xbox 360.

3 up, 2 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 10:20:14 AM

"Scarcity of exclusives?"

LMAO Then can the 360's situation be described as "mammoth extreme severe critical scarcity of exclusives?"

Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 9/7/2010 10:20:25 AM

2 up, 0 down

Deleted User [Administrator]
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 2:01:35 PM

Ben Paddon is yet another guy who has a skewed perspective on life. He seems to think he's intelligent and a voice of reason. Instead, he just comes off as a self-righteous jerk who thinks his opinions should be gospel. Some of these Xbots are a piece of work but this guy takes the cake. This guy has seriously been brainwashed. Personally, the guy looks like a pile of mashed potatoes with a red toupee on his head.

Just another reason why the Internet is getting worse and worse everyday.

1 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 12:18:22 AM
Reply

My purchasing habits definitely reflect the topic of the article.
Preferably, I'd wish no shoddy ports existed. While I probably couldn't justify buying another system for better multi-plats alone, additional hardware purchases are usually justified by the platform's exclusives. Each camp, Sony and MS, have their share of highly rated and well received exclusives--Sony now having a greater portion of them. The multi-plat advantages for a given platform are the added bonus.

But even exclusives, for me, these days, may not be enough to sustain a multi-plat future. The gaming industry has outgrown my capacity to stay on top of all the games I want to play. There's simply not enough time, or always funds to support the habit. Oftentimes, I find myself trying to race through all the best games to stay on top of what's hot, which may be hindering my actual enjoyment of gaming. I think it's both cost saving and a means of creating a boundary on my appetite for gaming entertainment by limiting myself to one standard. I've nearly shut-off any emotions to anything happening on Nintendo. I know there's good games that happen on the platform, but I don't want to be interested because I know if allow myself to become partial to an exclusive franchise, without knowing it, I'll make a prior commitment to a future purchase that I may not want to make or partition the time to support.

0 up, 0 down

___________
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 3:28:37 AM
Reply

of course the 360 version of mafia 2 was better it had grass effects and a few other things the ps3 version lacked.
mafia 2 was still a massive disappointment for me, i was expecting it to be the best MP game ever released, i was expecting it to be better than RDR!
sadly it fell well short, its more like GTAIV than RDR.
its more a massively over hyped disappointment than a massively over hyped masterpiece!
and the ending, WTF was that!
and i thought GOW3 had a piss poor ending!

0 up, 1 down

Underdog15
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 10:50:18 AM

Why, because Kratos didn't get the cute girl in the end? Or because he didn't retire as a happy old man on his ranch? Sometimes the best ending is one that matches the character and the life they've led prior to that point. There is no other ending that could add to the true character of Kratos.

2 up, 1 down

___________
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 @ 8:12:06 AM

no not because of that, id much rather that than him end up in a retirement home!
i hated the GOW3 ending because it answered no questions and raised many.
if your ending a trilogy like there doing your suppose to tie up loose ends, not end on a massive cliffhanger like that!
its like starwars ending with vader saying luke im your father.......... or am i?

0 up, 0 down

Killa Tequilla
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 4:37:56 AM
Reply

It only does everything. Enough said.

1 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 10:51:26 AM
Reply

Am I the only one who always thought Mafia 2 would suck before it came out? I never considered for a minute it would be fun. Mafia 1 looked like monkey balls.

0 up, 2 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 6:09:37 PM

You are not alone.

0 up, 2 down

Fane1024
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 6:18:40 PM

You aren't alone.

p.s. Jawknee hadn't responded when I first loaded this page (and therefore, I couldn't see his comment when I typed mine). I guess Underdog really isn't alone. :)

Last edited by Fane1024 on 9/7/2010 6:21:00 PM

0 up, 2 down

TEG3SH
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 @ 1:10:04 PM
Reply

I rented Bayonetta on X360 and played it half through before my X360 RROD. I grabbed it while I was in the uk for PS3 for 10 GBP which is 15 USD roughly. although the x360 version is better, the sony one is not that bad and although the game ambiance is a little girly the action is super awesome, it is kinda the legitimate sequel to DMC1 (fun wise i mean)

0 up, 0 down

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