E-mail:
Password:
GameSpot Video Games, PC, Wii, PlayStation 2, GameCube, PSP, DS, GBA, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Rumor Control

Rumor Control
Too Human tossing Unreal Engine 3?

Source: The Xbox 360 section of the Advanced Media Network.

The official story: See below.

What we heard: In May 2005, Microsoft confirmed that a shooter once destined for the GameCube, Perfect Dark Zero, was coming to the Xbox 360. Several months later, it was revealed that another title once bound for Nintendo's console, Too Human, was also coming to Microsoft's next-generation platform.

At the X05 event in Amsterdam last October, developer Silicon Knights unveiled a short Too Human trailer. This past May, a longer trailer of the Norse-mythology-meets-sci-fi-themed actioner was released on Xbox Live Marketplace. Meanwhile, at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, Denis Dyack, president of Too Human developer Silicon Knights, demonstrated the game to the press.

The increasing visibility of Too Human gave many hope that, after nearly a decade in development, it might be edging toward completion. However, over the weekend, reports began to bubble up that the title had hit another roadblock. "Sources tell AMN Xbox 360 that Silicon Knights...is ditching the Unreal Engine 3 for its upcoming Xbox 360-exclusive title, Too Human, in favor of coding its own engine, on account that the Unreal Engine does not work well with the Xbox 360 hardware," said Advancedmn.

Given how good the Unreal Engine-based games Mass Effect and Gears of War look on the 360, Advancedmn's report raised more than a small amount of skepticism. However, if true, the move could mean serious delays for Too Human, since starting over (again) with an all-new engine would entail a massive amount of programming work.

To clear up the confusion, GameSpot sent an e-mail to Dyack's personal account. Within minutes, the phone rang. On the other end was a rep for Microsoft Game Studios, Too Human's publisher, with a familiar response. "That is speculation, and you know Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation," he said.

[UPDATE] Tuesday morning, Denis Dyack contacted GameSpot via a Microsoft rep to flatly deny this rumor.

Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus.

Category: Bulletin
Posted by thorsen-ink, Aug 14, 2006 5:03 pm PT   115 Comments

Comments

sailingmanuel

Looks like trouble...

Posted Aug 15, 2006 9:39 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Agent4054

Hey guess what, guys? This rumor has been de-bunked by Microsoft. We can all go on with our happy, UE3 filled lives

I was about to link the article from Next-Gen, but linking to NG twice in one day on GameSpot feels like infidellity. I'm sure you'll see GameSpot with the news soon, if they haven't already.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 8:14 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
ElementalFire

You're kidding, right? Tell me you're kidding. Does this mean GoW is going to suck?

Posted Aug 15, 2006 12:01 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
xbox_gamer1

NOOOOOOOO THAT CRAP BETTER BE BOGUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted Aug 15, 2006 11:27 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
AnubanUT2

Just to add ... I know the Unreal Engines pretty good ... saw the first public demo of UE3 at 2005 GDC ... and really as GREAT AS IT IS it simply can't do everything well. And I know I have ever seen anything close to the way a combat system works in most 3rd person Action titles ... let alone the ones that really shine (like God of War, Prince of Persia, NG, DMC III, Path of Neo, etc.) ... so again I say this may be a very true story given the nature of the gameplay ... and yes I saw Elveon and though it looks good (you can still tell visually that it is using the UE3 engine) the combat system still looks stiff and less than what I would expect in an action game. But of course that is just imo.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 10:19 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
AnubanUT2

First Frame City Killer ... now this ... who's next I wonder ... I am looking forward to an actual fully fledged UE3 game being released ... someday (and it appears that now Gears will be the first one ... which is fitting actually).

Good luck on this title ... they may be trying to hard to find the perfect combat engine with crisp fluid motion ... something similiar to say GOD OF WAR (or even NG, PoP). And that is going to be hard to do with the UE3 so perhaps this is true. Either way it's best they do a great job so they get some critical acclaim like God of War ... I hope it works out ... it's not to often you see an interesting take on Norse Mythology ... especially in vid games. Speaking of which does anyone know if there is a "Thor" character in the game ... if so that would be so damn cool.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 10:12 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Crystalmethod

Do you remember a game called Frame City Killer that got cancelled? That also used the Unreal 3 engine and looked fantastic all the way through development and in the end Namco cancelled it because they were running into lots of problems using the engine etc etc and didn't want to waste customer's money. I wouldn't be too surprised if this wasn't bogus...

Posted Aug 15, 2006 10:01 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
the_chaos_gamer

the unreal engine will probably never be taken down by any other engine, its just so damn powerful

Posted Aug 15, 2006 9:52 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Sydwynder

Hope it doesn't get delayed, I was looking forward to this one.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 9:39 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
comthitnuong

that would suck if they started over after 10 years

Posted Aug 15, 2006 9:26 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Hellisunreal

lol

Posted Aug 15, 2006 9:23 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
acummuta

A game at E3 with framerate issues? Shocker! How many perfect games have you played at E3? They're all games that are in midstream of being done. All the hoorah about how horrible a game is when it's not even done is why they're taking a new direction for E3 anyways. It really is unfair to the games themselves as the main idea is to get the public an idea of what it will be like, not to treat it as a finished product.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 9:20 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
thekey

I don't beleive it. Ureal engine is suffencent.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 9:17 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
milsvaard

I dont believe that the unreal engine 3 doesnt work great on the xbox360, if that was the case, many developers that are using this engine would be adopting the same course of action. The fact that we havent seen Gears of War or other games with that engine released yet, makes me not pass judgement on the engine, even Cliffy B, having recently played the build of Gears of War he displayed on E3, was dissapointed with the lack of polish and optimisation it had. As someone said before it must have something to do with the license fees, im sure that using the unreal engine 3 must be a heavy finantial burden on any company.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 8:52 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
ChoadS

Looks bogus to me.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 8:46 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Agent4054

Ok, some of you guys need to do some more research before you post things like "Too Human is a different type of gameplay than Gears of War UT2007, etc. Unreal Engine isn't made for anything else". That is a very bogus statement. I can't even believe you said that. Refer to: Next-Gen article.

Take the game Monster Madness, Elveon, Roboblitz, etc. The engine looks great for each of them. UE3 was built on the basis that it could be used for anything. Ever seen the mods for UT2004? Some of them are so far from an FPS its crazy. Drawn Alive is one of the most recent examples of that. You cannot say that the latest Unreal Engine isnt optimized for other gametypes. That just is not true.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 8:00 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
paramite12

Don't forget how good Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway looks and runs! It is unreal engine 3.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 7:49 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Fatality4u

If this is true I will be greatly dissapointed, as this game looked awesome and I wanted it out as soon as possible.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 7:48 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
jaredgood1

Just a question for the Xbox owners / fans: are you dissapointed with the progress of Rare and Silicon Knights?

Just curious, as they both are spectacular developers, but do have a tendancy to be slow.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 7:34 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
mark_unix

if you look at Mass Effect shadows and textures they all look rather compressed, they don't look perfect.
i hope for bioware that they fix the shadows because right now they aren't smooth but jagged.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 7:22 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
hemakm3

Hope this game will come out someday.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 7:18 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Paul_TheGreat

The game sucked anyways.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 7:18 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
firefruze

I love that Gamespot even bothers to call Microsoft on rumors, its going to be always the same answer " Microsoft does not comment on rumours or speculation", but then again I do know that this is due course in creating this type of article...... I just find it humourous.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 7:02 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Kiaininja

It's probrably just that it's cheaper to make their own engine than to license Unreal 3's engine. Trying to keep up with the next generation gfx quality just costs more now.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 6:46 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
watchcity

It's funny how after E3, all the 360 fanboys were saying how Too Human was such a great game and another incredible exclusive for 360, but now that there is bad news about it, and possibly terrible news for Gears of War (your so called saviour), you say that it was the worst game at E3. That's hilarious. Too bad the 360 can't hack such a great engine. I hope PS3's cell processor won't have a problem with it on Unreal Tournament 2007, but I'm sure it won't (since it's more powerful than the 360). I'll be playing DS, Wii, and PS3 while you guys will be trying to play a choppy "AAA" title named Gears of War.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 6:44 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
goat2001

I hope this isn't true. I've been awaiting its release for a while now on the 360.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 6:41 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
rootATdarkstar

Obviously having no experience coding an Xbox 360 game, I can't really comment too heavily. But I can note that if indeed they are switching game engines, that means bad things for the Unreal engine. This doesn't neccessarily mean that the engine doesn't work, just that it's not doing what Silicon Knights wants it to do. Which is a pretty huge deal, since the option to write their engine (being both expensive and VERY time consuming at this point) is the direction they're moving in now. Weird.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 6:05 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
dbeddow

I say let them try. Maybe they will nail the xbox360 development better than anyone else has. I was looking forward to this game, but if they can make the game better (without taking years) then it would benefit all of us if they come up with an engine that is perfect for the 360. Maybe it will take advantage of the triple core...

Posted Aug 15, 2006 5:49 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Flamingpostman

wow this is old news. get up to date gamespot, its like week old news

Posted Aug 15, 2006 5:19 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
deepskye

too human is a series??? enlighten me, wat too human games have been released?

Posted Aug 15, 2006 4:42 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
wenbin09

no denial.. maybe something's not right...

Posted Aug 15, 2006 3:20 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
jakman2004

no1 would change engines after a decade of design. they just wouldn't, not that i care for this game

Posted Aug 15, 2006 3:06 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Dante200X

Hmmm.......rather than add some point that says the UR3 engine works fine on the 360......I just want to know where these developers (and their publishers) are getting all this money. I mean, WTF? They've been working on this for over a decade and from what this article says it seems like it'll be another 2 years or so before they are done. Who is making these stupid decisions to keep these guys funded? Even if they were developing.....halo 3 it wouldn't be acceptable to throw this much time and money into it.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 2:53 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
imprezawrx500

Unreal engine not work well does that mean m$'s choice to use the ibm cpu was a mistake lacking its out of order code that pc engines love. They should have stayed with intel.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 2:52 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Dr_Corndog

"Microsoft's obstinancy". I like how they put that.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 2:41 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
CaptainDingo

Is Unreal Engine 3 really so bad for the Xbox 360 that they'd go out of their way to create an entire engine from scratch?

Something's very fishy with this. Unreal Engine 3 doesn't even have games out that run on it yet and we've already got a console developer whining about it. We're talking a seriously advanced engine, here. And while the X360 simply doesn't compare to a solid PC, I don't see where the incompatibilities with the Unreal Engine 3 come in.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 2:30 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Digital-Devil

Eternal Darkness should come to next gen...

Posted Aug 15, 2006 2:08 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Cartman86

I don't know about you guys but from what i've seen Gears of War and Mass Effect do not seem to run well. The action scenes (I've played Gears) have some obvious performance issues (that probably won't ruin too much of the games especially in Mass Effects case). So the fact that Too Human a heavily action based game (more so than Gears) isn't running the way they want (look at the E3 build for proof) isn't that far fetched.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 2:07 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
SaitouZero

I wish Silicon Knights had stuck with Nintendo, Eternal Darkness and Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes were awesome.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 2:02 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Digital-Devil

That would be a VERY bad idea

Posted Aug 15, 2006 1:10 am PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
blackleech

I guess they're tossing it for good... for whatever reason of their own.

Posted Aug 14, 2006 11:54 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
geebus

From what I saw at E3... I hope this is NOT BOGUS and they RECODE IT COMPLETELY! I'm not saying Unreal Engine 3 is bad or anything.. but it really did not work for this game. Trust me.. this is great news for this title in the long run... however long this might be....

Posted Aug 14, 2006 11:52 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Optimusv2

The issue is NOT a performance issue its the engine they feel isn't suited to make the game as amazing as they want it to be. What you guys want just amazing graphics and good framerate? This game has to be much more than that.

dragun Gears of War wont perform so badly on release I'm sure.

Posted Aug 14, 2006 11:39 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
dn3datomiced

I suspect it's bogus. There are 2 other games running like a dream on that engine already.

Posted Aug 14, 2006 11:37 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
NinjaFoot

dragunov, I saw no pathetic frame rate when Cliffy B played it at E3, and all I have read are good things about it across the board. Nice try at flaming though.

Posted Aug 14, 2006 11:10 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
NinjaFoot

I have read some accounts of Too Human at E3 that were less than glowing. Maybe it has to do with the game needing to be better, and using an engine change would be a good excuse.

Posted Aug 14, 2006 11:08 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
azizrulez

i think anyone who ditches unreal 3 engine is totally wacko

Posted Aug 14, 2006 11:05 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
dragunov0908

Look at that pathetic frame rate of "Gears of war" on the X360 and you'll understand

Posted Aug 14, 2006 11:00 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Optimusv2

I'm glad this happened as others have said. Games like too human, devil may cry, ninja gaiden I don't imagine would do too well on the unreal 3 engine.

Sure its okay for Mass Effect, bia3, gears of war, rainbows six vegas and other shooters, but Too Human is very different from those games and we all know the type of games the Unreal 3 Engine is geared towards even though it may be possible to make adjustments Too Human will ultimately being a far better game on its own engine. I figure if it wasn't true SK would've flat out denied it by now, but since they haven't I'm pretty sure there is a lot of truth to this rumor.

I'm dying to see what the game looks like on the new engine.

Posted Aug 14, 2006 10:58 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
the_real_VIP

Re Intrakitt: and again, another guy who thinks like a real kiddo. Because M4 has money, they would go "know what?, let's toss it and spend more on making a new one"? Anyone in finance would tell your a total moron.

Back on the subject. Everyone says that Mass Effect and Gears of War look good; it depends on how long they were working on these games to have it look THAT good since this rumour state Silicon Knights having trouble with the engine.

Posted Aug 14, 2006 10:47 pm PT
Login to rate this comment
/ (+0)
Sign up now to post a comment!

News Features

Featured Stories

E3 2008: SCEA unveils $399 80GB PS3, God of War III

Sony's press conference sees SCEA president Jack Tretton reveal Resistance for PSP and MAG, an all-new massive action game from Zipper Interactive; PS3 video store launching tonight; full video inside.
Posted Jul 15, 2008 11:31 am PT 1006 Comments

E3 2008: Nintendo scores Wii Music, GTA for DS, Wii Sports Resort

Mario and Link were nowhere to be seen at press conference, but Miyamoto's outfit made waves with Animal Crossing: City Folk, the WiiSpeak peripheral, and more.
Posted Jul 15, 2008 9:04 am PT 316 Comments

E3 2008: id Software deal enRages EA event

Surprise agreement to publish Doom studio's post-apocalyptic road-action game highlight of EA's developer-centric event; Mirror's Edge, Left 4 Dead, and Dragon Age: Origins also on hand.
Posted Jul 14, 2008 2:54 pm PT 168 Comments

E3 2008: Wolfenstein, Singularity unveiled at Activision Blizzard event

[UPDATE 2] Snubbing E3 proper, the newly merged publisher shows off two new Raven and Marvel games and demos Guitar Hero World Tour's studio mode at a shindig all its own; Rock Band instruments will be compatible with new game, which will even adjust its drum scheme.
Posted Jul 15, 2008 7:19 pm PT 116 Comments

E3 2008: XBL Avatars, Netflix, and FFXIII top 360 slate

Microsoft's press conference reveals rumored Xbox Live overhaul and Karaoke game--then delivers Square Enix shocker; exclusive Fallout 3 DLC coming, Gears 2 touted.
Posted Jul 14, 2008 10:25 am PT 353 Comments

E3 2008: Final Fantasy XIII 360-bound, Last Remnant dated

Square Enix's formerly PS3-only RPG epic will launch day and date on Microsoft's console in North America and Europe; 360 exclusive hitting US November 20.
Posted Jul 14, 2008 12:04 pm PT 2854 Comments

Newsmakers

E3 2008: Video Q&A: Carmack on 'one-game' id-EA deal

Legendary Doom founder, id lead designer Tim Willits, and EA Partners GM David DeMartini talk to GameSpot about how Electronic Arts became Rage's publisher.
Posted Jul 14, 2008 10:47 pm PT 39 Comments

E3 Video Q&A: Peter Dille on the new PS3 strategy

SCEA's marketing generalissimo talks about the console's new video store, Final Fantasy XIII 360, Sony's fall game slate; clarifies the 80GB's lack of BC.
Posted Jul 16, 2008 9:40 pm PT 259 Comments

E3 2008: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II Exclusive Q&A - E3, New CG Intro, E3, and E3

Watch the exciting new intro movie for Dawn of War II and get exclusive new details on the game at E3.
Posted Jul 14, 2008 6:00 pm PT 178 Comments
advertisement

Stock Watch

Today's GameSpot Watch List
symbol last change price change %
ATAR 1.65 0.00 0.00%
ATVI 30.07 0.00 0.00%
ERTS 47.73 +0.51 1.08%
GME 41.54 -1.02 -2.40%
MSFT 26.16 +0.72 2.83%
MWY 3.87 +0.52 15.52%
SNE 40.81 -0.72 -1.73%
THQI 16.95 -0.73 -4.13%
TTWO 24.07 +0.43 1.82%
30-minute delay