Carmack: PS3 rasteriser is slower than Xbox 360's

By Tom Orry - 31/07/2009 - 8:47am GMT

Rage on PS3 currently running considerably slower than PC and Xbox 360 versions.

Game development legend and id Software co-founder John Carmack has never been shy to offer his honest opinion on each console, and he's been at it again when talking about the studio's latest game, Rage.

In an interview with EDGE (via CVG), Carmack has revealed why the PS3 version of the game is currently running slower than the Xbox 360 and PC versions.

"The PS3 lags a little bit behind in terms of getting the performance out of it," said Carmack. "The rasteriser is just a little bit slower - no two ways about that.

"The RSX is slower than what we have in the 360. The CPU is about the same, but the 360 makes it easier to split things off, and that's what a lot of the work has been, splitting it all into jobs on the PS3," he said.

So there you have it. Hopefully id will be able to get all three versions running at the same speed in time for launch.

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Posted at 08:51 on 31 July 2009
El-Dev	3 2 In response to Article » Go to 's original post Developer highlights own lack of skill, interesting. Report Reply

Posted at 08:53 on 31 July 2009
Mr_Ninjutsu	1 0 In response to Article » Go to 's original post most likely because it was developed for 360 first. seems like there making this staement before its actually released so theres no real point untill its fully finished. Report Reply

Posted at 10:11 on 31 July 2009
kamoflage	2 3 In response to Article » Go to 's original post It does raise an interesting point. The tech specs of the PS3 are superior to the 360 yet approx 3 years into the life cycles of both machines we are yet to see a multi platform game that looks or feels significantly better on the PS3. In fact in recent comparisons on Gamespot and GameTrailers there have been as many occasions where the 360 has come out on top. I don't buy the fact that this is due to lazy/incompetent developers so maybe the PS3 is just less programmer friendly. When the PS3 was launched and the original games looked identical to the 360s I felt sure that given time this would change and the PS3's superior hardware would shine through, but to date I can't think of a single title where this is the case. Report Reply

Posted at 10:29 on 31 July 2009
El-Dev	0 2 In response to Article » Go to 's original post On the EG/DF comparisons the general theme is now that the 360 versions look a little crisper while the PS3 versions have a little performance advantage, less screen tearing usually. Of course there are still a few absolute turds like Fallout but they are happening less and less as parity becomes closer. It is evident that the 360 is easier to code for but if you have the skills/resources to put into it the PS3 gives the best results. Report Reply

Posted at 10:31 on 31 July 2009
dazzadavie	0 0 In response to Article » Go to 's original post When the PS2 lunched developers said of how complex it was to program for, I can only think this is true for the PS3. To say it because the 360 is better or the lack of skill by the developers is just stupid. Budget, time frame and team size would have more to do with it, if all these are small then its likely they had to pick a system to focus on, if the PS3 follows the PS2 in complex programming (which sometimes Sony keep to them selfs in order to make Sony games look better) the 360 would of been a better maybe a cheaper option IMO. Report Reply

Posted at 10:40 on 31 July 2009
Karlius	1 2 In response to Article » Go to 's original post I commend Carmack for actually coming out and speaking his mind yet he's not going to get any fans from Sony users by doing so. Everyone knows the console specs between 360 and PS3 are actually level pegging not a lot in it at all. So to highlight the downfalls of the PS3 is some what idiotic considering you'll be trying to sell them the game soon. Report Reply

Posted at 11:02 on 31 July 2009
Mr_Ninjutsu	1 2 In response to Article » Go to 's original post Good example of ps3 programmers are from Naughty Dog and Guerrilla Games. Both developers are achieving wonders with graphics whilst keeping frame rates high. so it could be a lack of experianced programmers for the PS3 when it comes to multiplatform game development. All i am saying is that Sony have the better programmers when it comes to their console exclusive ips and i'm sure its the same when it comes to the 360. With this game i bet theres more 360 orientated programmers then there are ps3 programmers so when those 360 programmers try to port the game over of course its going to be easier because it would be more familiar for them and less of a challenge. I guess its just a matter of time before developers have no excuses for making bad ports etc etc Report Reply

Posted at 11:10 on 31 July 2009
dudester	0 2 In response to Article » Go to 's original post Better example id criterion and Infinity ward really making multi platform games with no real difference between the versions. Yes Naughty and Guerilla are awesome but they are only focused on that platform. Carmack has also said the game will release at 60fps for all platforms. Report Reply

Posted at 11:15 on 31 July 2009
El-Dev	0 1 In response to Article » Go to 's original post EA are doing pretty well these days as well at getting them similar and they are improving every time. No noticable difference between the latest versions of FN and Fifa09 was nearly identical. Naughty Dog are the best about at the minute when it comes to producing amazing games in every meaning of the word. Report Reply

Posted at 11:19 on 31 July 2009
CrustyJockStrap	0 1 In response to El-Dev's post EA are doing pretty well these days as well at getting them similar and they are improving every time. No noticable difference between the latest versions of FN and Fifa09 was nearly identical. Naughty Dog are the best about at the minute when it comes to producing amazing games in every meaning of the word. » Go to El-Dev's original post "Naughty Dog are the best about at the minute when it comes to producing amazing games in every meaning of the word." very true but i guess thats the advantage of working on the one main console platform. Report Reply

Posted at 11:25 on 31 July 2009
Wido	0 0 In response to Article » Go to 's original post What was surprising was the Ghostbusters game. I like the Ghostbusters got the game myself and its really good. Seeing as Sony got it as a 'timed' exclusive, the pictures comparing the 360 & PS3 shown otherwise. NaughtyDog and Guerilla are two top great developers. Shame that Isomniac didn't put more effort into R2 such as visuals. Yes it improved but still looked outdated in places. Report Reply

Posted at 11:31 on 31 July 2009
dazzadavie	0 0 In response to Wido's post What was surprising was the Ghostbusters game. I like the Ghostbusters got the game myself and its really good. Seeing as Sony got it as a 'timed' exclusive, the pictures comparing the 360 & PS3 shown otherwise. NaughtyDog and Guerilla are two top great developers. Shame that Isomniac didn't put more effort into R2 such as visuals. Yes it improved but still looked outdated in places. » Go to Wido's original post Reason for Ghostbusters is Atari now only publish in North America, so someone had to buy the rights the publish it in Europe, thats when Sony stepped in as long as they get it first. I like the fact it's region free as it trys to put a kink in what Sony wanted to do. Report Reply

Posted at 11:32 on 31 July 2009
El-Dev	0 0 In response to Article » Go to 's original post Yeah Ghostbusters was another turd of a port, waiting for the 360 version to come out. I think R2 was good, but they had to sacrifice the visuals to gain in other places. Much like Bungie have to do with Halo on the 360. Report Reply

Posted at 12:51 on 31 July 2009
pblive	0 0 In response to Article » Go to 's original post It's a bit like saying "I can't get icecream to taste the same as cheese, even if I make it with the cheese recipe" Honestly, porting a game to a console with a completely different architecture is asking for trouble. Report Reply

Posted at 18:23 on 27 August 2009
ghostdog25	1 1 In response to Article » Go to 's original post you know what. I say forget the dev. The honest thing here is They came out and said a while ago that THE 360 VERSION WAS GONNA BE ON 2 DISCS. I bet MS wanted the games to not seem equal so why not pay a little to have one version look better than the other. It's not like they haven't done it before. Don't call me a fan boy because if you look at my pic you can clearly see I have an xbox live gamertag. The PS3 is capable of graphics. Look at Uncharted, Killzone, Heavenly Sword, MLB the SHOW, etc... All these games have very good graphics and yes NO JAGGIES....I haven't played games on 360 that matches... nope not Gears neither Report Reply