E3 '07: Unreal Tournament III due in '07, PS3/PC exclusive 'til '08

Sony locks down console exclusivity until next year; PS3 version will ship with map editor months before 360 version.

CULVER CITY, Calif.--Epic Games literally has the best of both worlds. The North Carolina-based developer made headlines at last night's Microsoft press event by announcing that Gears of War, its blockbuster Xbox 360 shooter, is coming to the PC with five new single-player campaign levels and a map editor.

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Today, the company revealed that it has also struck a deal with Sony that will certainly boost sales of its PlayStation 3 console. Today at Sony's press event, Mark Rein took the stage to announce that Unreal Tournament III will be exclusive to the PS3 and PC when it is released later this year, and it will allow the importations of mods made for the PC version to the PS3. That exclusivity will remain until "early 2008," when an Xbox 360 version will be released.

Speaking to GameSpot, the irrepressible Rein laughed off any suggestion that Sony might have offered Epic financial incentives to keep UTIII a PS3 exclusive. "There's nothing sinister about it," he said, laughing. "It's just the PS3 and PC version of the games are compatible, because Sony has an open-source platform." Rein didn't clarify if he meant simply that the development process was compatible, or whether the game would allow for cross-platform play.

187 Comments

  • KillaB123

    Posted Nov 30, 2007 1:53 am PT

    Word

  • Gameheaven

    Posted Oct 14, 2007 2:32 pm PT

    "The first being that the nintendo wii (if you can even call it a console anymore) is the weakest of the 3." I dont have a wii myself, but how can you say that? It has done what it was made for, a budget console. It was spec'd for less graphics based gameplay. That is something some developers should consider. For 90% of gamers graphics arnt everything

  • DeltaCobra

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 6:06 pm PT

    Blood-warrior - You should be slapped -You don't like gears of war? to drawn out..? -like a bi**h.

  • batosaims

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 7:25 pm PT

    whos a bigger idiot seangames or blood warrio x lol the 360 unreal will be better because cliffy b had stated the unreal 3 engine was built around the 360
    also the weakest maybe in cpu but the gpu of the 360 is far better then the ps3 plus the three core processor allows for superior ai on the 360 quoted by tobonubu itagaki himself sorry but the ps3 will have the worst version of the grand theft auto and unreal tournament 3

    as far at gta goes there will be nothing the ps3 version has that the 360 wont have blu ray or not sry but the only mistake u kids made was having ur mother buy u a ps3

    sony has lost the war

  • seangames

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 4:07 pm PT

    Blood-WarriorX, I completely agree with you.

  • Blood-WarriorX

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 3:35 pm PT

    "The 360 fanboys seem to think that theyre version will be better than the ps3 and pc versions... wrong, as we all know the xbox360 is weakest of the platforms, and this trend will continue because programmes need to release a CUT DOWN version for the 360 due to the lack of storage space (DVD = 9 GB max Blu Rau = 50Gb max). Blu ray offers more improved HD visuals and audio, than the 360 can dream of.

    Its already confirmed that GTA4 on the ps3 will offer far more content than its 360 variant, due to blu ray. Epic should release gears of war on the ps3 (at the same time as pc versions release)and include more single player levels and visuals to take advantage of blu ray."

    While i understand the juist of what your saying i have a couple grievances. The first being that the nintendo wii (if you can even call it a console anymore) is the weakest of the 3, and second Gears of War was published by mircosoft (correct me if i'm wrong) so its excedingly unlikly that it will be released for the PS3 anytime soon. Personally I never liked the game anyway, to drawn out for my tastes.

  • amulbocus

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 7:19 am PT

    The 360 fanboys seem to think that theyre version will be better than the ps3 and pc versions... wrong, as we all know the xbox360 is weakest of the platforms, and this trend will continue because programmes need to release a CUT DOWN version for the 360 due to the lack of storage space (DVD = 9 GB max Blu Rau = 50Gb max). Blu ray offers more improved HD visuals and audio, than the 360 can dream of.

    Its already confirmed that GTA4 on the ps3 will offer far more content than its 360 variant, due to blu ray. Epic should release gears of war on the ps3 (at the same time as pc versions release)and include more single player levels and visuals to take advantage of blu ray.

  • The_Tricko

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 5:24 am PT

    Finally Epic have come to there senses....But can make it better making it an EXCLUSIVE game .... *crossed fingers* that Epic will make a game alot like Gears Of war fully exclusive to PS3....PS3 has all the tools that is needed for an exellent game its just that the game creaters are not as confident. UTIII should give them a good boost hehe!

  • Factor-Zer0

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 6:38 pm PT

    Guess their still toning down the 360 version, I'll be getting the pc version anyway.

  • Eldridge00

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 9:45 am PT

    Good!! Screw the 360... PS3 is way better quality. Glad to here we get it first.

  • SteadyShark

    Posted Jul 15, 2007 7:21 pm PT

    They're probably changing the online aspect, since xbox live is so vast in comparison to the other 2 platforms.

  • Easytarget1984

    Posted Jul 15, 2007 6:16 am PT

    now this makes me laugh , own all 3 ( pc ,ps3,360) the ps3 control is bad, very bad for fps so looks like pc for me then.

  • Poshkidney

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 11:58 pm PT

    meybe they are doing something to the 360 version

  • msudude211

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 5:38 pm PT

    Is it coming to the 360?

  • Panman_Dan

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 7:32 am PT

    I read no where where Epic said it will look better, I really ponder how it will run and look better on the X360 while the PS3 has been proven to be a much more powerful machine. Oh well, I'm gonna pick this one up.

  • Eclipse_ShinRa

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 4:46 am PT

    @mike300zxt

    Well Epic done said it will run and look better on the 360

  • shinian

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 4:19 am PT

    Nah I'll pass. I never really got into Unreal l Tournament

  • rocketman97

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 10:19 pm PT

    you know, odds are the only reason that it is being delayed until '08 for 360 is because, like some other people have said, it will sell better when its not competing on 360 with titles like halo 3 and bioshock

  • Sacred-Snow

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 6:32 pm PT

    Game looks awesome.

  • MrNib

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 1:36 pm PT

    Good Thing Im getting this for PC, You Console nubs are going down

  • mike300zxt

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 12:00 pm PT

    Stupid Epic! Lol, now I want a PS3 to get my hands on this game early PS3 version is looking like 720p...I wonder if the xbox will be 1080p.

  • SM2099

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 4:03 am PT

    YEAH!!! U.T. Rulez! Could this be the Halo Killer? Maybe. The game will no doubtly rock! Great graphics and first hand use of the Unreal Engine. This exclusitity till the end of year is very useful... it will help boost SOny into overdrive.

  • anamnawshad

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 2:16 am PT

    Good move from Epic. It wouldn't sell as much this year in 360 cause it has too many great games coming.....Mass Effect, Halo-3, BioShock (Also on PC), PGR-4 and a lot of other multi-platform ones....

  • mmogoon

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 12:09 am PT

    I really don't understand how it can be an exclusive for months without sony paying for it.

  • greystone227

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 8:04 pm PT

    After watching the E3 interview about UT3, I'm thinking the delay is because of some porting, but mostly because they aren't quite sure how to get mods on to the 360. Ultimately, I think they'll either work out something with a USB drive, or just put some of the most popular ones on the Marketplace.

  • Valen_Ca

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 6:31 pm PT

    Well now, one has to wonder what Sony did to deserve this since they apparently don't pay out for exclusivity (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/sonys-jack-tretton-we-dont-buy-exclusivity/)

  • snipe2004

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 5:18 pm PT

    UT3 for ps3 only this year? its a done deal for me. 360 fanboys damage control on timed exclusive is working overtime i see.

  • Incubus420

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 4:46 pm PT

    This means nothing all i want to see is how well the game runs on the PS3 compared to the 360...If they run the same then who cares.

  • inowhatuwant2

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 4:21 pm PT

    jknight5422 spot on !

  • jknight5422

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 4:12 pm PT

    They're just waiting for the Halo 3 frenzy to cool down.

  • android_M

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 3:47 pm PT

    um if its exclusive 'til '08 then doesnt that simply mean that it isnt an exclusive game and that the '360 build will simply be released later than the PS3/PC versions..... SONY QUIT TRYING TO CONFUSE ME!!!!

  • MarcusMuchgame

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 1:33 pm PT

    My ps3 and I had a nice little chat today. Our long walks dance in my head when iam alone.Fortunately my 360 holds me through the night. What that Ps3 is home sh++....hide hide this could get ugly.No baby put that gun away we just fell asleep thats all. What... can u join in .....ok , this might be what me life has been missing now 360 dont be so ruff.

    The ps3 took me in its cords. Whoa what a strong grip i thought.Quiet , i said, so nobody will here us Then in a flash him was loaded and ready to go then suddenly something went noticeably wrong 360 was getting hot and bothered.Grind...him said ....Grind... and then he gave up.Where is his passion I thought. He became so hot he turned red,flashing red . Whats the matter baby ,I said.He gave no response .He would not even talk to me any more not even to show me his pretty parts.OMG hes dead to me.Good thing I have someone on the side.My ps3 and i done the sixaxiz(tm) all night long.

    Xbox i think iam pregnant, i said.He stared at me with those red eyes .So I dumped him ,in the trash.Week later I met a new black xbox (because of the avaliblity and ther sooo cheap) But he was ruff as well and didnt chew his food properly like the ps3.Xbox I said , u have no manners then he charged me for his services .I felt so used.

    At least I have some one who I can depend on. So I was comforted by the soft yet noticeable warmth of ps3.Not long after I conceived i gave birth to the spawn of satin ....A 78 pound Ps60.What will I tell my mother I thought!

    As the Ps60 got a bit older he wanted to see the city.Bancok and Tokyo mostly. Hes just like his fathers I thought. Iam not having that said his existing firm but loving father. U will go join the militia and destory all fanboys.Boy was he confused.Because he was the hell spawn of a 360 and ps3 how would he choose.......................................................................................to be continued

  • MarcusMuchgame

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 1:29 pm PT

    Check this out!

    http://www.gamespot.com/users/MarcusMuchgame/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-25069388

  • frankfurter209

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 1:22 pm PT

    SONY: OMG WE GOT EXCLUSIVITY

    ME: Instead of buying a PS3, I think I'll play it on a computer.

    It's not really an exclusive. Foolish Sony

  • EnthusiaTurismo

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 12:59 pm PT

    Buying this for PS3 day one. PC mods on a console! That's awesome!

  • MarcusMuchgame

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 12:33 pm PT

    Smart move by epic and Sony. They know SCE allows more creativity within the industry.

  • DouglasBuffone

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 11:05 am PT

    Man I am so pumped for this game, I don't know which platform I will get it for though

  • tuff_gong92

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 10:39 am PT

    Get it on the PC, end of story.

  • mike_mike_mike

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 10:39 am PT

    let there please be information for all the 360 gamers! please, just some information! like release date please

  • poofin

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 9:46 am PT

    I could count every Xbox360 owner who DOESN'T have a PC on a four-fingered hand.

  • Pazy160

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 9:02 am PT

    Linux Compatibly please !!! UT2004 was a massive hit with Linux gamers so hopefully they will see sense and make it compatibly.

  • Sonovius

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 8:53 am PT

    I wanted UT to go mono y mono against Halo so all the kiddies would rush to Halo while I could play with the real gamers on UT. This still sucks.

  • ocdog45

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 7:33 am PT

    map editor for the ps3, game....blouse!!!

  • s0njas0n

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 7:32 am PT

    nice, a timed exclusive... oh well...

  • jameston80

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 7:27 am PT

    eclipse_shinra I agree with you soo much on this, let ps3 have this game for a couple months earlier, there are way too many great games coming out from now till x-mas on the 360, ps3 at least needs 1, lol but seriously epic is smart at this, they dont want to go up against the big titles coming to 360 this fall, so this is a smart move to epic.

  • moocow21

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 7:05 am PT

    That's really cool that PC mods will be allowed on PS3.

  • plm3d_basic

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 6:42 am PT

    Just wondering if the game will incorporate DX10 to add more special effects or does the game use opengl. Also, is it multi-threaded to take advantage of multicore cpus.

  • DrakeNOwns

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 6:38 am PT

    ......
    YOU SIR ARE QUITE FUNNY

  • Eclipse_ShinRa

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 6:02 am PT

    @smoothn00dle
    How is this bad for MS.. Epic is playing smart look at the 360 line vs PS3 line up.. the 360 has lots of great titles coming out form now till Dec.

    Epic not trying to up agaist Halo, GTA, Mass Effect, LO, BD, etc(just to name few))is smart.. Epic is playing it smart, get all the sells they can form the PS3t((Not many titles to vs this year for the PS3)) and bring UE3 to the 360 first Q1 2008. When there isn't many titles to vs..

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