XBOX has been using PC hardware from day 1. One of the big reason why it was easier to develop for. thank goodness SONY woke up to that fact. ;)
Ken Levine praises PlayStation 4
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
BioShock designer says the PC-like architecture for Sony's next-gen platform will "make life a lot better" for gamers.
BioShock designer and Irrational Games cofounder Ken Levine likes what's he's seen so far of the PlayStation 4. Speaking to GameSpot, the industry veteran praised the platform's new PC-based architecture, saying the design is gamer-friendly.
"I have to sit back and think about the next-generation. Obviously, more memory, more power is always a good thing. I love the fact that Sony's architecture is now much more aligned with the architecture of the PCs and[…]I can't say about the Xbox, but I presume they're continuing in that direction," Levine said.
"That will make life a lot better for gamers because you won't have that sort of diversification of resources in the same way that you had to do to support the differences in the [current-generation platforms]," he added. "I don't mean Move vs. Kinect, I mean specifically the architecture underneath. So that's a positive."
Overall, Levine said he hasn't yet give much specific thought to how he might approach development for next-generation platforms. However, he did make clear that his ambition for greater detail will be an area the new, more powerful machines can help.
"Obviously, more memory, more power is always a good thing."
"I really haven't sat back and thought the particular features or what I would do with the additional power besides the obvious things: I like detail and more power gives you more detail. That's obvious," Levine said.
Levine noted that this increase in power will not be without its share of potential difficulties.
"I think you then start running into, at some point, an issue of can you produce the content to fill that detail? Because BioShock Infinite really strained our[…]we produced a lot of content if you look at that level of detail," he said. "So then you go beyond the systems; can we build an infrastructure internally to build enough content to fill out that space? And that's going to be another challenge."
Levine's latest body of work is BioShock Infinite, which launches next Tuesday. For more, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
216 comments
I am impressed, I originally thought this guy was a "snob" as he put it but now that I heard him say "it takes all kinds" I imediately changed my tune. I like that way of thinking a serious story is ok and funny story is ok action is ok and comedy is ok drama is ok and mindless silly or corney is also ok. its all good
I was Sony fan till PS3 , i think that machine didnt live to its hype and was a disaster ( aside games ) as a hardware for various reasons we all know more or less.
But im kinda excited with PS4. Solid and simple. Nothing fancy , overpriced and confusing. And the price i bet wont be a skyrocket ( PS3 was at 699 euros in my country , that was like 850$$ or more ).
If PS4 has some great titles at start im all over it . As for X720 , i refuse to pay to play online games , a feature i have for free on PC and i can have on other platforms.
1 Like "Sony's next-gen platform will 'make life a lot better' for gamers" I like my life the way it is, but I live in the past with my backlog, not having to deal with all the newfound conventions that gamers seem to dislike so much. I won't say no to improving that life however.
2 Like itll also make games a hell of a lot easier to develop than it did on the ps3. whether the ps3 or 360 is better, one point that was made early on in the current gen was that the 360 was extremely easy to develop for and the ps3 was quite the opposite despite its strong architecture. hence why many multiplatform games were developed with the 360 in mind and then ported to the ps3.
2 Like Articles like this make me really really eager to see what the next Xbox is going to bring to both gamers and developers.
Xbox 360 was already mostly PC-like, so I wonder if MS will move to an x86 architecture? I'm thinking they definitely will, especially when they are going for cross-platform gaming (Xbox, PC, Windows Smartphone, Surface tablet, etc). Although technically MS already has cross-platform gameplay, but I think the industry overall is moving in that direction.
Sony making the PS4 more attractive to developers is a very good thing. Even for the Xbox fans out there (like myself), the competition needs to be stronger for the better/overall growth of the gaming industry, especially the consoles.
One thing to think about, while it's true that Sony has made the PS4 easier to develop for, the developers from companies like Bungie (previously an Xbox exclusive) and Irrational Games (also previously making titles exclusively for Xbox) giving the PS4 high praise isn't just for the benefit of Sony. Remember that these companies are trying to put on their 'game face' and get some enthusiasm going for the console that they will be developing for. It would be more surprising if these developers had instead stayed silent.
@Landsharkk Good to know that someone from the other side of the force (which side is it is a matter of much debate :P ) thinks like I do.
The competition between Sony and Microsoft has brought a lot of awesome features for all of us, so the fiercer it gets, the better.
And as for the developer praise, although I agree that there is a little marketing in there, one does not simply deny the fact that the next playstation archtecuture is quite the relief for the developers who wanted to run away from the Cell as fast as they could.
@Landsharkk one thing is certain about next gen (as i mentioned in another thread), the competition is going to be the fiercest than its ever been since the sega-nintendo wars in the early to mid 90's.
2 Like If you look at the pic real quick, you might mistake him for Ben Stiller...at least I did. lol
1 Like @hadlee73 @soulless4now Nope. The first time I saw Ken Levine I immediately thought of Charlie Day.
A question for xbox 360 users why did you buy a xbox 360 instead of a ps3 and how is it features better than ps3 besides social apps?
@Shango4 Got given an original xbox as a gift, love halo 2 online soo much it made sense to get a 360 since I already had an xbox library.
Bought a PS3 for bluray and gaming - bitterly resented it, horrible OS, constantly needs updates like its on life support, which take forever to download and install (I can download 1GB+ files fairly quick on xbox so don't even bother bringing internet connection into this).
Hate the way you had to install games before playing them, GT5 anyone? With that said, ironically the PS3 had the most memorable games for me of this generation, my favourite is MGS4, a true masterpiece.
I don't care for xbox sales, or PS sales, I don't work either company so I make no money promoting one over the other, couldn't care less - I just feel frustrated by the PS3, it didn't have to be this way.
I have been incredibly impressed by the PS4 conference, they targeted their real audience really well, saying goodbye to the CELL and hello to good old X86 is the best thing to happen, in terms of allowing developers to spend more time on the creative process rather than trying to code around the awkward CELL chip.
Microsoft have pissed off most of us in the last couple of years, they seem to be losing the core gaming aspect of what the 360 was supposed to be, I mean just look at the dashboard.... it sucks, I thought metro on Win8 was bad, but on a console....? oh the horror! .... With the upcoming Microsoft conference if they talk anymore about their Kinect bullshit and hardly anything to do with core gaming I'm throwing my 360 in the motherfuckin' ocean, and pre-ordering my PS4
@TurboGuru I disagree with the whole installing and updating thing and microsoft will piss you off even more with the next gen.
@Shango4 @Auronvolgar @TurboGuru PS1 just enter the CD and tatan, you play, and ofc you dont need to uninstall if your driver is full
@Auronvolgar @Shango4 @TurboGuru whats wrong with that its beats the whole disc swapping crap.
@Shango4 @Auronvolgar @TurboGuru depends what do you mean by too long for you, i dont like to w8 5min for instaling a game
@Auronvolgar @Shango4 @TurboGuru you probably didn't understand me the installing and updating never too long for me.
@Shango4 @TurboGuru wow, you came from future? nice now tell us more..... :S funboys everywhere, stop being a funboy, i hate installing too...... i had play only on PS games, but the truth must be told!!!!!
10 Like Dear Gamespot - please stop posting pictures of David Duchovny all over your website. Thanks.
1 Like @theperm funnier than most of the nonsense spewed here by the one system fanboys. Thanks for making me laugh.. :)
1 Like All I am hearing about the playstation 4 is that for the most part gamers and developers both praise the changes coming, while the rumours circulating for the next Xbox are only negatives that only a select few powerful groups want to see happen, such as always-on connectivity and blocking used games
@ck10304 The same rumors existed for the PS4 before that info was released. You can't believe every rumor you hear, especially on Gamespot where most of what they post is crap.
Don't forget, the same rumors also existed before the PS3 and Xbox 360 came out, every generation it's the same re-hashed rumors.
2 Like @ck10304 that's all rumors. Lets hold off judgements on Xbox until something is officially announced. Rumors point to an April announcement. I agree that the rumors have been primarily focused on features that are publisher friendly and consumer unfriendly. Without the details the rumors could be misleading to what is actually being done.
@Hvac0120 les stop judging, both console and w8 and see, 2 years ago i was reading about, Cell 2 and RSX 2 on PS3, where are those now?
9 Like Consoles are getting praised for their PC architecture? Alright, so bring Sony and Microsoft exclusives to the PC and i won't have to waste 1000$ on two new consoles, just a beast of a PC rig :D
5 Like @G4mBi7 How can they be exclusive to consoles if they are on PC? What you really mean is bring all games out on PC because that is what I use and can't stand that people can prefer consoles over PC. Enjoy your Xbox/PS4 ports.
1 Like @Dannystaples14 @G4mBi7 I don't think you should paste over what he says with what you only think he means.
@Dannystaples14 @G4mBi7 Yeah it's not an exclusive if it's not exclusive. That said exclusives have always been a bit annoying. I imagine ps3 users would have liked to play halo or gears of war without having to buy an xbox, same with say metal gear or uncharted for xbox users without having to buy a ps3. Course I personally prefer pc exclusives, which far outnumber anything else. Basically all strategy games, mmo's, and point and click adventures. Having to buy 3 systems is kind of a pain.
@Hvac0120 @Hitch3nz @Jyakotu @Dannystaples14 @RedLegZeff wow out of topic, srsly, he didnt mean what you all five talking about, jesus.... apemen every where.....
@Hitch3nz @RedLegZeff @Dannystaples14 @G4mBi7 unless a game is designed exclusively for the PC it's gameplay is going to be limited and based on the specifications of the consoles. This is something PC gamers complain about all the time. They want there to be a purpose for their high-end gaming machines and its frustrating to get games that only look a little better because the rest of the game is based on console technology. Skyrim was one particular game that got a lot of flack; particularly because it didn't even support Dx11.
Console exclusives won't go away. Timed-exclusives have become a big thing too with games and DLC. As someone said above, exclusives are just one of the be benefits for choosing a specific console.
@RedLegZeff @Dannystaples14 @G4mBi7 exclusive is annoying yes but everything is better or can be better on pc they may end up not selling consoles if nothing is exclusive on it plus we know piracy is way easier on pc so they have to protect consoles n make you buy them .. that just my opinion , but i guess he meant cause ps4 brings something makes u feel you on pc hardware wise or features
1 Like @RedLegZeff @Dannystaples14 @G4mBi7 But that's kind of the point of EXCLUSIVES. Consoles and the PC needs exclusive games in order to coax gamers in choosing their system over the other ones. Even Sony tries to get developers to have exclusive content to the PS3 versions of games so gamers who do own both or all systems have more incentive to buy the PS3 version of the game. It's just business.
4 Like Considering the original Bioshock was a 360 exclusive on release it's VERY nice to hear the guy praising Sony's new console, especially given the fact the last one was so hard to develop for. It was also nice to see Bungie too, yes they may be working under Activision, but at least they can now aim their products at the entire gaming community and not just one console.
I'm all for equal competition as otherwise there'd be a monopoly and the industry would suffer as a result, but everything i'm seeing from Sony (especially considering the fact we haven't even seen the actual console yet) is promising.
They've seriously got their game together for the next-gen, the marketing has improved VASTLY.
Just bring it on Sony, I've got money set aside with your name on it!
3 Like Yeah... good that Sony had the common sense to use an easier architecture this time around.
7 Like Glad to always see a story that praises the PS4, especially from developers. It's very frustrating when developers always screamed that the PS3 was too hard to develop for, which resulted in poor ports or just poorly designed games overall. But Sony finally seemed to have found common ground with developers this time around and majority of them seem to like that the PS4 has similar architecture like a PC. I cannot wait for the PS4's release and the games that's to follow. I always have faith in Sony, as they have been my go to company for gaming since I first owned the original PS1. They slip up, but overall, they can do no wrong in my eyes.
5 Like @Jyakotu As a future owner of the system, it gives me great confidence with industry leaders have so much positives for the system.
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