'Not performing as well on PS3' but 'not that far off'.
Alone in the Dark developer Eden Games has explained why the PS3 version of the hotly anticipated survival horror game still hasn't got a firm release date.
Speaking to VideoGamer.com at a recent press event for the game in London, senior producer Nour Polloni explained that the PS3 version "is not performing as well on PS3" in terms of frame rate, but reassured PS3-owners that it's "not that far off".
AdvertisementPolloni's comments come as the Xbox 360, PC and Wii versions of Alone in the Dark are set to hit the shelves in under a month.
Alone in the Dark, the fifth game in the cult series which proceeded the Resident Evil and Silent Hill games, sees players assume the role of a private detective who finds himself trapped in modern day Central Park having been transported forward in time from the 1930s. Players will be able to skip forward to the game's various episodes if they find it too tough and get TV series style recaps that fill them in on what they've missed.
Hype has steadily built up for the Atari published game. Various tech demos have demonstrated its impressive physics, object manipulation and most notably realistic interaction with fire.
The recent London press event saw a live demonstration of the Xbox 360 version of the game, but there was no mention of the PS3 version.
Polloni told VideoGamer.com after the event: "There's no firm date yet but what we can say is that it's coming out this year. In terms of why it's coming out later, we have the full game running on PS3 and all the features, no problem. The thing is it's not performing as well on PS3 as we hope it is in terms of frame rate and all that. We didn't want it to come out and have less of an experience for the PS3 gamer. We wanted to tweak that up and make sure they get the best experience on PS3 as much as possible."
Polloni revealed that despite the delay, both the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Alone in the Dark will contain the same content.
She told PS3 owners: "It will be really worth it. It's something that we didn't want to deceive the players. That's why we preferred waiting. And I know it's tough but we want them to wait to be able to get that same experience."
You can read the rest of our interview with Alone in the Dark's senior producer Nour Polloni right here.
Are you disappointed that the PS3 version of Alone in the Dark won't be coming out until after the Xbox 360 version? Let us know in the comments section below.
dEM0NSVK wrote at 13:44 on 29 May 2008
I understand ATARI and Eden Games making decision like this and respect the reason why are they doing this. People hate frame-drops and PS3 owners will for sure likely wait than play in slideshow mode.
Asinine Monkey wrote at 15:01 on 29 May 2008
Yet another under-par developer making excuses with regards the PS3. I don't see Criterion Games, DICE or Infinity Ward having parity problems with regards cross-platform coding. Boo hoo to Eden Games.
Anonymous wrote at 15:04 on 29 May 2008
Devs aren't working hard enough of any PS3 games. Delays are because devs understand the other hardware better, you guys, (thats all devs). it's time to stop all multi-platform games, spend 2 months on the PS3 with the whole team, then go back to you're multi-format games on the other formats. You only have you selves to blaim for flawed products you produce on ps3.
Anonymous wrote at 15:49 on 29 May 2008
That just proves it will be yet another shitty PS3 port. DON"T buy it. If people don't buy shitty PS3 ports then devs would not be making shitty PS3 ports.
Anonymous wrote at 02:11 on 30 May 2008
bull s#it i think you guys could keep this to you'r self, and have waited tell the ps3 version is completed. what i think is MS is paying you assHoles to say this, i think ya'll are delaying it for ps3 so it want sell systems and. you retarded developers think us gamer's are that stupid anyways i will no and can't be bothered with ya'lls gay retarded game alone in my but crack im waiting for gears 2 and currently im rocking gt5 prologue then comes home and good buy x whores and also live should be free dick rich gates f n whore.
Karlius wrote at 11:48 on 30 May 2008
Look guys you can't blame the developers. They were not consulted in the creation of a console which is literally piss poor to code for. PS3 was a console developed in the board room with any external input discredited. I have numerously told you of the limitiations of coding for a 7 core processor to unleash the beast. Some developers are getting there via loopholes and work arounds but others will never get there.
Nour Polloni is just saying the general view of coding on the PS3. It is a mighty console but the question is will it ever get to the standard it should be at and the answer is no it should be able to rip into the 360. Simple fact is it can't. Main reason 360 RAM is superior to PS3 but other than that it can be coded for. Once a developer can grasping coding techniques it can exploit them and manipulate them to output the better games.
Microsoft has been developing code for years and years in video gaming and os so it is not a wonder why their console is superior in this retrospect. Sorry PS3 fans domination will take a while and by that time it will be too late. But it will plod along side by side with the 360 and stupid arguments over who have the better game wll appear. Making this generation a good battle of consoles which should (Crossed Fingers) determine a better crop of console from Playstation next term. And a more developed version from MicroSoft. Meaning gaming can only get better!
Anonymous wrote at 18:12 on 30 May 2008
I think there delaying it because of medal gear soild 4 duh you ediots it has nothing to do with coding it has to do with medal gear soild 4. so ms can shove that tittle up there cornholeo also 360 has been out longer and should have more games of every ranking, i like how people never seen a crappy game on 360 hmm superman and um the outfit lol. horrible 360 games that where programmed on an easy system and sucked balls out fit could be ported to n64 and superman L O L
Karlius wrote at 20:06 on 31 May 2008
above comment is written by a complete retard. No wonder IT didn't want to put a name to it!
RecoN wrote at 00:26 on 02 June 2008
Hes got a point though, the outfit was piss poor!
I think at the moment devs should spend a little extra time on learning the PS3 rather complaining about poor reviews there games are gettin on the PS3 when its a multi format.
At the start of producing the game etc, just spend the time on the harder version and then when they feel comfortable they can announce a real date for release.
Karlius wrote at 08:57 on 02 June 2008
Yes he has got a point Outfit may have been terrible but it bears no relivence to this argument. A game that is being limited by the coding dynamic is totally differnt to a poor concept. Its like saying hmmm Fish and Crap sounds good. Then get someone like Gordan Ramsey to cook it for me. Low and Behold the food still tastes like crap. But if i have a concept such as steak and chips and then get gordan ramsey to cook the food via a magnifying glass then we are more on track. He'll have to work damn hard to get that produce looking like something i want to eat and may still turn out like crap. LoL anyhow hope thats a good annalogy.
It's like saying all the gear with no idea!
Me wrote at 11:19 on 08 July 2008
Karlius hit the nail on the head.
The delay has nothing to do with MGS,
Why people use this excuse i don't know.
Simple fact is the PS3 is a great machine but it a sod to develope for.
ALID could have come out at the same time as others if sony had help them understand the PS3 and the best way to program it.
but ALID is a below average game anyway