Valve: PS3 Online is 'Kind of Scary'

[cliffbo]

Later this year, Team Fortress 2 ends up on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, gamers will have the chance to jump online (though not necessarily against one another), and while Valve's already established in the PC space with Steam and worked with Microsoft on several Xbox products, Sony's world is alien to them.

Valve's head of marketing Doug Lombardi explained to Game Informer why they're hoping Electronic Arts, who's helping them develop the PS3 port while Valve maintains the Xbox 360 and PC versions internally, will guide them to the other side.

"PS3 is brand new and PS3's online is kind of scary so we're hoping that EA is going to be a strong partner for us. (laughs) It's always the scariest thing when it's not all yours. With the PC it's all ours, Steam is all ours, code's ours, game's ours. On 360 we're making it, we've made it before, we know what the Live thing is, although it's Microsoft's so we kind of know it. PS3 we're not building it, we haven't made a PS3 title before, and we don't really know what PS3 online really is. It's always the devil you don't know that you're the most scared of."

With EA's backing, however, PS3 owners shouldn't worry -- Team Fortress 2 on PS3 should be just as capable as it will be on every other platform it appears on in 2007.

http://www.gametab.com/news/858005/

[Theo]

^Um, EA's backing is exactly what I would be worried about LOL.

[VG Aficionado]

Will Valve ever quit complaining about PS3 and stop delaying expansions of a more than 3 years old game?

[F089/H]

^Exactly

[Black Dragon37]

Will Valve ever quit complaining about PS3 and stop delaying expansions of a more than 3 years old game?They're not complaining. All they've said is that PSN is new to them, so want guidance on how to get it done.

Yes, they've been dickheads in the past. Doesn't emean they're dickheads all the time. :)

[BruceWayneIII]

It's just kind of funny, that they like to comment on the PS3, but haven't had any experience with it. Takes away some credibility.

I don't think they complain about PSN, however, it's a bit pointless.

[VG Aficionado]

They just don't have good reasons to say anything about it being "scary". So far, the PSN has worked well and the developers have made good use of it. Are they less capable than them all or what?

My point is that I've got yet to see Valve saying something good about PS3. It makes you wonder why they'd bother to port HL2 when they seem to dislike everything about PS3...

It must be because EA wants to make more money.

[CreativeWriter]

Well, it may be kind of scary, but not owning/paying for servers = saves you money (assuming I understand the exact nature of the PSN setup).

[Z]

that quote shouldn't be mis used or taken out of context. they clearly mean PSN is 'new' to them. they haven't developed on it yet. EA is much more established in this field than they are. of course, we can talk as to why haven't they worked on it yet, but as for what his comment means, there you have it.

[Z]

Well, it may be kind of scary, but not owning/paying for servers = saves you money (assuming I understand the exact nature of the PSN setup).
of course publishers and devs won't have completely free servers. they way SOny is working is that it offers you two choices:
you can use their own very impressive dedicated servers- at a fee.
or you can use your own and connect them seamlessly with Sony's.

for the end users like us, we wouldn't be able to tell the difference.:twitch:

[iceman2654]

Valve seems to have a history of whimpering. And yes, they did imply something bad about the PS3 in this quote.

When CELL was annouced Gabe (in an interview) complained about how multi-core processors were not suited for games.

They made A great game....but now they're starting to annoy me. If Valve can't keep up with the technology then they shouldn't even bother..... </rant>

[Fazares]

i will not care till they start talking about half life 3...

[curryking1]

Valve seems to have a history of whimpering. And yes, they did imply something bad about the PS3 in this quote.

When CELL was annouced Gabe (in an interview) complained about how multi-core processors were not suited for games.

They made A great game....but now they're starting to annoy me. If Valve can't keep up with the technology then they shouldn't even bother..... </rant>

I agree!

[jaxmkii]

http://www.danacarvey.net/images/fm_carvey.jpgPC devs: Im cold and frightned... we fear chang3... and girls.

[masteratt]

Jeeeeeeeeeesus christ, you know who Valve remind me of?

Girls who pick up a controller for the first time and all they have to do is press X or something and they are like "oh no!! heeheE! this is kind of scary!!!"

These guys need to shut up and get on with it, they are destroying their image.
I always thought Valve was a company who knew their stuff the best but all these "boo-hoo we are scared to explore new stuff" attitude I'm picking up from their staff is making me change my opinion of them to "Lazy PC developers".

[LaLiLuLeLo]

there's nothing abrasive or malicious here, he's just talking about them feeling like lol-noobs.

[Jay Gee]

I could give a damn about Half Life and Team Fortress (sorry), it's Portal that I'm uber hyped for. Go ahead and drop the damn game already.

[Segitz]

I just hope, EA doesnt f*ck up the HL2 port.

Not because I want it (have already the PC version, which runs several times better than on any console), but because of the comparisons and such.

If they f*ck it up, the PS3 will again be target for all haters!


And now to PSN... Of course new stuff is "scary" because you dont know anything about it! When I had my new classes at University (namely technical mechanics), I was scared too, because I didnt get it. Now, after hard learning for several weeks before my exam, I got it (and I think I passed it, dont know yet).

This comment shows somehow a bit the immaturity of Valve. Yes its new, to EVERYONE, yes it can be scary, but tell everyone about it, that YOU dont get it? I dont know...

[Z]

weird. you would guess PC devs would be all over Cell. I am talking generally here.

[Z]

I just hope, EA doesnt f*ck up the HL2 port.

Not because I want it (have already the PC version, which runs several times better than on any console), but because of the comparisons and such.

If they f*ck it up, the PS3 will again be target for all haters!


I am not worried at all if EA is handling it. Valve itself ruined the HL2 experience on Box with the minute long loading every three seconds. although I was impressed by everything else in the game, the loading really gotten in my way, especially in the fast pace parts like when driving through somewhere.

the only question you should ask is does EA want to put an effort into this one? if yes, expect a very well package. they have the personnel, tools and budgets to make anything happen...as long as they want to.

[SleazyBig slim]

Will Valve ever quit complaining about PS3 and stop delaying expansions of a more than 3 years old game?

QFMFT! A 3 year old game that still has yet to be released on consoles and delayed as fuck expansions. I dont see how people can put up with PC gaming, I really dont. UT3 was announced like what 3 years ago? And the damn thing still hasn't shipped.

[cliffbo]

i just took it that they meant 'scary' in the sense of its potential.