E3 '07: Unreal Tournament 3 Hands-On

By Jeff Gerstmann, GameSpotPosted Jul 12, 2007 12:12 am PT

It's big, it's bad, and it's coming to the PlayStation 3 this November.

As part of Sony's annual press conference here at E3 2007, the company revealed that Epic's Unreal Tournament 3 would be coming exclusively to the PlayStation 3 this November. While that sounds like a real bummer for PC owners, you need to remember that, for whatever reason, the console makers seem to forget that the PC exists. So the game will be releasing on the PlayStation 3 and the PC this November. Regardless of all that, Midway brought the PlayStation 3 version to Sony's press conference, and we got a chance to play this long-awaited first-person shooter on its new console home.

This first-person shooter appears to be running quite well on the PlayStation 3, with plenty of graphical detail from top to bottom, all running at a good, firm frame rate. The demo station we saw was running a standard deathmatch against bots, allowing us to get a good feel for the controls. R1 and L1 handle your primary and alternate fire. R2 is used for dodging, something that required you to double-tap the movement keys on the PC. Epic's Jeff Morris, who was on hand to talk about the game, commented that he's been dodging much more frequently on the PS3 because of this easy-to-use controller mapping.

Click to enlarge!

Aside from the PS3 version looking to be on par with the PC version, the other key thing to know is that the PS3 version of the game will have support for mods and other user-created content, in a way that sounds like it will be a first for consoles. Mods built for the PC version will work on the PS3 version of the game. Right now, Epic is testing this functionality by copying the content onto a memory stick and then copying that to the PS3 hard drive. But they're hoping to get the PC removed from that equation to make mod and map downloading a part of the PS3 version. To speed up the loading process overall, the game can be completely installed to the PS3 hard drive, but you'll still need to have the disc in the drive for copy-protection purposes.

To hear Epic describe it, there are only a few differences between the PS3 and PC versions. And aside from the controller differences, the two versions do look quite similar. For one, the game will implement Sixaxis tilt control for steering the hoverboard or piloting the redeemer missile, which is a superweapon that you can steer into targets. Game speed and the size of collision areas are also being adjusted a bit to better tune the game for gamepads.

Overall, the PlayStation 3 version looks impressive, and the idea of mod support just might make it a viable alternative for a series that's primarily thought of as a PC franchise. It'll be interesting to see how the two versions stack up when they hit stores this November.

188 Comments

  • Swift18

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 2:15 am PT

    Idk im hoping that the Cell will bring somthing to the table that nothing els can. Im gettin this on the ps3 with the Keyboard and mouse support whats the diff? besides like 4k that i would need to run the game perfectly.

  • Karaam

    Posted Sep 17, 2007 8:50 pm PT

    look if you're used to playing on PC, buy the PC, if you have played more on the consoles, buy that version, thats why midway is making it multi platform.

  • jacob-goodlich

    Posted Aug 20, 2007 5:58 am PT

    i bet that the ps3 version will be the best of all

  • patrickkkk

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 1:20 pm PT

    im a regular FEAR player on the PC, but being able to play UT3 on my 57inch HDTV with a mouse and keyboard... cant freakin wait.

  • patrickkkk

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 1:16 pm PT

    remember you'll be able to use your mouse and keyboard on your ps3 for this game!!! huge PLUS

  • NinjaMunkey01

    Posted Aug 10, 2007 1:27 am PT

    I am really looking forward to this game. I will get it for my ps3. I will never get it for my 360 as it will probably take up 3 disks and still look worse.

  • Jose3190

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 11:09 pm PT

    ANOTHER AAA PS3 GAME!!! CAN'T WAIT

  • x_kenney_x

    Posted Jul 28, 2007 8:53 pm PT

    i'll orbably get this if it come out for the 360 but im not sure. i really like it on pc but on a console i don't know. i didn't like unreal 04

  • Viseroid

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 5:26 pm PT

    There better be keyboard/mouse support. They didn't put four USBs on the damn thing just to charge controllers you know.
    I loved UT 2K4, this one will be awesome.

  • Bozanimal

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 6:17 am PT

    All I want to know is the hardware requirement so I can go out and buy whatever PC I need to play.

  • xXrebel666Xx

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 4:10 am PT

    I just creamed in my pants.

    Im nearly in love with it already...

  • Rakuho

    Posted Jul 24, 2007 12:32 pm PT

    fuzzydoor: "This game will be such a fantastic game, 2008 will be a great year for the ps3"

    it will be a great 2008 for the ps3, but this game is coming november...

  • Nene33

    Posted Jul 23, 2007 3:37 am PT

    I agree with rosscero and generalish, Instant Classic and a Must Have.

  • rosscero

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 1:29 pm PT

    Instant Classic
    I'm with generalish =)

  • generalish

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 11:38 am PT

    This game will be another classic after it comes out.

  • fuzzydoor

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 7:53 pm PT

    This game will be such a fantastic game, 2008 will be a great year for the ps3

  • knicknut17

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 5:35 pm PT

    I am so glad that this game is coming to PS3. Now PS3 owners will have a AAA FPS to play until Killzone 2 arrives. I expect the online community for this game to be fairly large for a long time. The use of Mods in this game will only extend the life of this game. The fact that you can use a keyboard and mouse is awesome too!

  • jknight5422

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 4:56 pm PT

    Best thing you guys can do is:
    A.) Buy the game you want to play first. When it's done, look at buying the next one on your list. Avoid buying them all at once, since you can reduce the price a lot by waiting.

    B.) The PC still has uses for games that haven't been ported over, as well as old PC games that will never make it to the 360. So it still has its uses. I use it for NWN2 for example & the upcoming NWN2 expansion. Also most MMOs haven't moved to the console yet, so if you play those you still need a PC.

  • matte989

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 3:22 pm PT

    @ htdkid11
    That is what I've been thinking ever since E3. It's like spending 300 million on 5 hollywood blockbusters each and then releasing them on the same weekend. I'm not complaining but it just seems a little weird.

  • htdkid11

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 1:19 pm PT

    why are there so many good games coming out within two months of eachother..ie. halo 3, assassin's creed, unreal tournament..

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