Sony makes PS3 dev cheaper, more efficient

New tools released this month hope to enable a 'more streamlined game development environment'.

Kotaku reports that Sony Computer Entertainment has introduced new PS3 developer tools this month in North America, Europe and the US - the new Reference Tool Models are priced US $2,000, Euro 1,700 and JPY 200,000 respectively.

"Having the same form factor as the commercially available PS3, the new Reference Tool models allow advanced game programming and more efficient computer graphics rendering," stated Sony. "With its more affordable pricing, this new model will appeal to a broader range of developers and publishers, and will help to provide a more streamlined game development environment, further accelerating the game development for PS3."

Sounds good from a developer and gamer standpoint. Developers will also be able to make us of a developer kit compiler called SNC PPU toolchain for PlayStation 3. This tool improves quality and productivity of PS3 development and has already been used in Fallout 3, Yakuza 3 and Killzone 2.