Sucker Punch Wants To Match Naughty Dog's Quality

Competition begets quality and it seems many developers of projects exclusive to PlayStation 3 have the ambition and zeal to push...to leap over that bar set by another.

Firstly, Sucker Punch lead designer Darren Bridges told CVG it'd be impossible to put inFamous 2 on the Xbox 360, even though they're currently only using about half the PS3's power. Secondly, he spoke to OPM about chasing down Naughty Dog for the action/adventure crown; a nearly impossible feat in the eyes of many, due to the extreme greatness of the Uncharted franchise. But nothing is "impossible," right? Said Bridges:

"That would be fantastic. It's a heck of a high bar. That's a high calling, but we'd be fools to say, 'Nah, we're going for ten per cent less.'"

"10% less" isn't something we'd expect from those guys, and don't forget that Sucker Punch and Naughty Dog have actually worked together, bouncing ideas off one another. This can only mean good things for both teams, and the gamers who love their products. Perhaps nobody will say inFamous 2 will be quite as good as Uncharted 3 but we're convinced of two things: 1. the games are probably a little too different to compare accurately, and 2. both will be among the year's best whenever they arrive.

Related Game(s): inFamous 2

Tags: sucker punch, naughty dog, uncharted, infamous, infamous 2

11/22/2010 10:27:12 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (45 posts)

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Underdog15
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 10:45:45 AM
Reply

That right there is the healthy sort of pride.

14 up, 0 down

Highlander
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 10:46:58 AM
Reply

Perhaps, but I'm playing inFamous right now (review just written) and it's a great game. Graphically it's different, and there are definitely areas were it fails to match Uncharted. but it's still an excellent title with some of the better graphics I've seen in a game.

If inFamous 2 is a significant upgrade from inFamous it will look awesome. I hope that they can find a way to keep all the things I love from the first game though. Being able to choose the good or bad path and finding each equally rewarding in game terms is extremely innovative and satisfying. Whatever else they do, that has to be core to the new game.

3 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 10:53:09 AM

Some amazing textures in those landscapes. They also really pulled off the night atmosphere perfectly. It actually feels and looks a lot like you're in a movie, I like that.

5 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 10:58:09 AM

It's the best looking open world game I have played. Love that game. Gonna play it again right before inFamous 2 releases.

8 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 1:33:15 PM

Thank you, for some reason people complained about the graphics and I couldn't figure why. Yeah it's a bit gritty and there are a few aliasing issues but its open world. I'm playing it evilly now and then and the whole city really is like a playground.

5 up, 0 down

Alienange
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 2:45:45 PM

The only thing that needed a little work in the graphics department was the character models. They got wonky once in a while. The rest was superb. Anyone complains about the graphics in inFamous has to go back to their milk bottles.

4 up, 0 down

Bjorn77
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 3:03:12 PM

The first time I jumped of a high building I got that sick feeling in my stomach. For the next 30 minutes or so I was just jumping of buildings and involved in some free-running.... The best thing? The game just let's you! No dumb messages or redirections to the storyline. I liked it.

4 up, 0 down

chedison
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 3:35:24 PM

Bjorn, you bring up what I'm most looking forward to in the second game. They seemed to have changed a lot of the way you climb and traverse buildings, making it much more streamlined and, I guess, quicker. It should be even more wild and exciting.

2 up, 0 down

Ole_Gunner
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 10:53:10 AM
Reply

gameplay for infamous 2 is already jaw dropping.so im psyched for this.

I really love the way Sony's exclusives always have this crazy friendly competition between one another-good for them and good for us

6 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 10:55:04 AM
Reply

I really want this one. Not to sound like a butt face, but if Uncharted 2 is said to use 100% and Infamous 2 is said to use 50% of the PS3's power then I'd say they're only half way there to their goal =p
I know that's only talking processing, one piece of the pie.

2 up, 0 down

Shams
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 11:51:55 AM

Heh. I'm not quite sure how they make those percentages, but i'm figuring they either mean they use half the number of the SPU's or they use all the SPU's about half the time. And perhaps they might even be talking about how much bluray disc space filled up, too. Not a clue. All I'm sure about is that whatever they deliver will be 100% worth playing.

By the way, I highly recommend you give the game a try. I'm sure you can nab a black friday deal between $10 and $15. It's right up there with U2 as my favorite action-adventure.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 12:15:14 PM

I think that they are referring to the amount of work that the SPUs are doing. Their devs probably have a good feel for what the SPUs are capable of at peak, and are simply not yet at full stretch moving work to the SPUs.

It's like Naughty Dog saying that there are still more optimizations to be done. Developers get a feel for things and can often judge whether something is truly at full stretch or not.

One thing I would *love* to know is how many of the better multi-platforms and even the less incredible exclusives are using the SPUs at all? You can crank some seriously good graphics and game play using just the single PPC core at 3.2GHz with the RSX rocking along in the background. But of course compared to the 360 with three PPC cores, if you don't use those SPUs on the Cell, you are handicapping your game to just one PPC core on the cell. A lot of multi-plats make minimal use of the SPUs since the ported engines are not designed to use them. This is why we see games with reduced detail, fewer enemies and lower resolutions.

When a PS3 specific developer takes the Cell by the scruff of the neck and starts farming out post processing effects and physics to the SPUs, things really start to hum. Sucker punch appears to be in this school of thought, but perhaps not as closely related to Sony as Naughty Dog, so they are a little further down the learning curve than ND.

But as many point out, the friendly co-ompetition that goes on among these Sony specific developers is extremely helpful for everyone. Certainly there have been times when you wish that a multi-platform developer would have extended their hand and asked for some help, because it could have saved their game.

4 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 8:49:41 PM

Thanks for the thoughtful input guys. And, btw, Master Shams, I've played Infamous already. It was great. A little rough around some presentational and technical edges but all in all it was great. The sequel is on my must play list for next year. I'll probably even lay down full price money for it, too.

But here's a useful diagram of what PS3 devs look at when optimizing Cell. processor jobs for game design.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-killzone-3-tech-analysis

YOu can see all kinds of specific functions a game like KZ is handling while optimized for the Cell.
It would appear the main PPU is directing the pace for the events while the SPU's are doing all kinds of jobs.
The animation, physics, skinning, shadow mapping, post processing (motion blur/depth of field etc/edge smoothing), particle polygons and more are all being processed on SPU's.
From what I understand, all of the white areas show empty clock cycles. Obviously, a game isn't going to be handling every possible thing at one time so I'd imagine these bars fluctuate during a given moment. I assume the idea is to efficiently balance the management of all the various jobs across all of the SPUs. Interesting stuff, indeed.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 10:59:02 AM
Reply

Aaah, it's good to be a PS3 owner. Bots are missing out.

12 up, 1 down

Maiq The Liar
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 12:46:45 PM

Couldn't have said it better myself.

0 up, 0 down

Dancemachine55
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 7:34:51 PM

Problem is, many of those bots are blind, going along with the hype train that Halo and COD are the greatest and only quality games on a console.

You can't argue with ignorance, no matter how hard you try.

0 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 11:01:41 AM
Reply

The game already looks stunning, if they can match Uncharted 2's level of engagement, flow, and story telling they'll have a solid game.

I have a feeling they'd even like to surpass UC2 in overall quality, that's how much they love these new ip of theirs.

That's when you can tell that a company loves the game they're making (instead of being forced to milk it every year *cough* COD *cough*)

I'm static about this news and can't wait to get jolted with new trailers/vids of this game, beautiful stuff.

2 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 11:11:41 AM
Reply

I'm stocked for this!!

1 up, 1 down

Fane1024
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 3:42:32 PM

You're put on the shelf? ;)

p.s. the thumbs down wasn't me.

Last edited by Fane1024 on 11/22/2010 3:43:11 PM

3 up, 0 down

BeezleDrop
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 11:12:33 AM
Reply

It isn't impossible, they are already making an Exclusive game so it's a win/win.

0 up, 0 down

mexgeo86
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 11:18:27 AM
Reply

This weekend I popped in Uncharted 2 (after over 6 months of not playing it and to kill some time while I await GT5). I went back into single player and got my Platinum then I went into the multiplayer to give it a whirl and ended up doing about 2 hours of co-op which was a lot of fun. Overall it's hard to picture a title that can top U2 but I wouldn't count out inFamous 2 as a possible candidate to at least give U2 a good run on the action/adventure titles. I know Sucker Punch can and will deliver.

0 up, 0 down

WolfCrimson
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 12:05:08 PM
Reply

Heya Ben. How are ya?

Just dropping in to say that the CVG link appears to be linked to the wrong article in reference to SP's lead designer Darren Bridges' comment about the Xbox360 not being able to handle inFAMOUS 2.

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 12:46:56 PM

I know. But that article is basically a source for both points, as they link to their other Bridges piece in it.

0 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 12:13:01 PM
Reply

Can they do it? I'm willing to give them the benefit of a doubt because inFamous, while glitchy and a bit average graphically, was one of the most fun games that I've yet played. The way you gained your powers and the game levelled with you was cool, as was the way that it forced you to diversify your usage.

If that comes back in the second one, I'll be over the moon, and you can tell by the trailers that it looks downright incredible. Besides, with Naughty Dog working with them, it's hard to go wrong.
Peace.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 1:39:04 PM
Reply

The first was highly under-appreciated and the footage of the second looks like it will -in its own kind of way- approach the kind of quality it is after. Honestly inFamous is the most addictive game I have played this generation. I wasn't expecting that at all, but I kept going "Okay one more mission, okay one more stunt, okay one more blast shard."

I'd like to see this series go far and inFamous 2 will be a preorder.

4 up, 0 down

Alienange
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 2:51:38 PM
Reply

I wonder if ND is feeling the pressure. They put a lot of work into their game engine and put out a top quality game. Now inFamous and Bioshock are nipping at the heels trying their darnedest to match or exceed what was accomplished in UC2.

I doubt they're worried, but they must be making something really crazy good for UC3.

Last edited by Alienange on 11/22/2010 2:52:10 PM

2 up, 0 down

HighOnFire
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 3:49:24 PM
Reply

I honestly cannot wait for this. The first was so amazing, and I cant wait to see what they do with the New Orleans setting. Its getting old with the NYC-like cities in every open world game these days.

3 up, 0 down

GuyverLT
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 6:01:35 PM

You know I was thinking the exact same thing. Just about every open-world game has either a New York setting or Los Angles setting their not the only cities around, it's something that was really starting to kinda bug me.

Last edited by GuyverLT on 11/22/2010 6:01:55 PM

3 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 11:31:50 PM

I hope there's a swamp, or like a swampy neighborhood or something :D

A little more nature overall

Last edited by Scarecrow on 11/22/2010 11:32:03 PM

0 up, 0 down

tes37
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 4:29:47 PM
Reply

I believe Sucker Punch is closer to matching Naughty Dog's quality than what they're giving themselves credit for. Both developers have great games and I like them both equally.

Without Sucker Punch, there wouldn't be an inFamous. Their creativity is on par with some of the best in the industry, imo.

4 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 5:42:55 PM
Reply

What I love about SuckerPunch is that they're not afraid to ask for another developer's help.

Just as Killzone-2 also did, with 5 other developers helping out.
Plus they also asked Sony's specialized help team to come in too).

Castlevainia:Lost In Shadows was another one, in asking Kojima for his help too.

I can certainly see a great pattern of better games going on there.

4 up, 0 down

GuyverLT
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 6:03:53 PM
Reply

Capcom please take notes if you're gonna westernize your games at least make them top notch.

3 up, 0 down

swapnilgyani
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 6:35:22 PM
Reply

Presentation-wise, most developers would be proud if their product reached "10% less" to that of Uncharted 2.

But this is just so good to see. Extremely healthy competition. Everybody publicly accepts that Naughty Dog's game is the big daddy in the PS3 ring.

Without trying to be boasty, Sucker Punch are suggesting that their game is going to be right up there, and we have a good reason to believe them.

Good for the industry, great for us :)

Last edited by swapnilgyani on 11/22/2010 6:36:08 PM

0 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 8:45:39 PM
Reply

Wonder if Naughty Dog Engine 2.0 can be used for a sandbox game?
Now about the statement that it can't be done on the 360...........will there ever be a way to prove which console is more powerful?
We don't know for sure if the 360 can or cannot handle games of PS3 exclusives technical levels due to the limitation of DVD.

Last edited by Snaaaake on 11/22/2010 8:52:40 PM

0 up, 0 down

GuyverLT
Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 8:59:55 PM

Who's the guy in your avatar pic.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 @ 8:07:06 AM

Snaaake, you know the answer to that. It's been 5 plus years and the best looking game the 360 has produced is Castlevania Lords of Shadow(pitted from the PS3 btw) it's safe to assume the console had reached it's limits.

Infamous 2 and Uncharted can not be done on the 360. Period. Same goes for Killzone 2, MGS4 and God of War III.

0 up, 0 down

SirLoin of Beef
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 @ 2:11:06 PM

I'm sure they could do UC2, etc. on a 360. Those versions would, however, be watered-down quite a bit (and span multiple DVDs) due to the 360's limitations.

0 up, 0 down

___________
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 @ 1:16:23 AM
Reply

kinda already are better than ND.
story wise that is, NDs games have always had the story of a c grade cheesy kids movie!
sucker punch on the other hand have always had fantastic stories, especially in infamous best story to be put in a video game ever!
second to assassins creed of course, besides brotherhood obviously.
what a disappointment that was!
buggy, SERIOUSLY BUGGY like so buggy it makes fallout new vegas look like uncharted 2!
that alone deserves a freaking medal!
buggy, seriously repetitive, crap story and fairly short.
i officially hate ubisoft!
they have taken my favorite new IP of the generation and turned it into resident evil 5!

0 up, 0 down

Kiryu
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 @ 2:40:25 AM

Yeah Story wise they are better!I don't know what the fu** might happen in Infamous 2.Oh my god i can only imagine Cole vs The Beast.Epic Finale!

0 up, 0 down

MadPowerBomber
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 @ 3:50:02 AM

Uh, no. Just no. inFamous' story was pretty low-grade on the superhero level.

0 up, 0 down

MadPowerBomber
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 @ 4:10:48 AM
Reply

Until they announce someone like Warren Ellis or Paul Dini or Grant Morrison or even Mark Waid or Kurt Busiek or Robert Kirkman is writing this, I'll be avoiding it.

As fun as inFamous may have been, as pretty as those sunsets were... this story was one of the worst superhero stories I've ever experienced.

0 up, 3 down

WolfCrimson
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 @ 4:35:50 AM

I dunno, I liked it very much. I thought it was excellent, and the way it was presented was great.

1 up, 0 down

Bjorn77
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 @ 5:22:40 AM

The story in part 1 was least of the problem... The main problem imo was the low variety of enemies. 3 Subspecies with 1 or 2 "Stronger" kinds. And far to easy boss battles! Once you figure out how to beat 'em it was done and over. Very low AI from the comp or no strategy what so ever. They should fix that in Part 2.

Also the way they presented enemies was like going back to the good ol' Amiga day's. The strong ones are red, The super strong ones are fat and red, the not so strong blue. etc etc.

InFAMOUS 1 was a brilliant first setup, other studios can only dream of bringing a first installment of that quality. InFAMOUS 2, if fixed is gonna be insane.

Last edited by Bjorn77 on 11/23/2010 5:23:16 AM

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 @ 8:08:18 AM

You crazy Mad. Infamous' story was top notch.

1 up, 0 down

Kokushi
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 @ 11:16:01 AM
Reply

I cant wait to buy Infamous, i have played the demo more 60 times easily but i hope they make the enemies aim less perfect in part 2, they have better aim than a marine sniper lol.

0 up, 0 down

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