There has been much talk about leading platforms when it comes to game development for the PS3 and Xbox 360, and one common denominator seems to show up again and again: things seems to turn out better for everyone involved, when you start out on the PS3.
With the unveiling of the "freebie" PhyreEngine at GDC yesterday, Sony is hoping to stimulate the perfect conditions to make that the rule -- and not the exception. So what can budding developers expect to find in the package? How about full documentation, with the complete source code and artwork for over 70 game samples (including templates)?
The engine is designed to mimic the more familiar PC environments that developers are familiar with, and will make use of both OpenGL and Direct3D. Best of all, Sony promises that all one needs to do in order to make it PS3-friendly, is to use a "simple recompile."
Impressed yet? If not, this one should take the glaze off of your eyes: the PhyEngine, by nature, is making it easier to create games on competing consoles. In fact, it has already been done -- with DiRT and GripShift. This is an example of exactly what Sony needed to do, and something that PS3 fans have been begging for all along.
By nurturing the community and going out of their way to put the tools in the hands of developers (many of which, have publicly stated the complexity of the PS3 has been a deterrent for them), Sony has the most to gain from this announcement. Now that's putting your money where your mouth is.
[Via Joystiq]
Contest:
10:40 AM on 02.22.2008
| 
Also, surly it wont be able to use the PS3 architecture to it's full capacity if it mimics a PC type architecture? The whole architecture is different. Hmm, i think i may do some matlocking.
The only reason game will be better if "developed for the PS3 first" is because these tools take away all the time you would have spent trying to grapple with the PS3, so the time can be spent on the game.
Not sure saying thing turn out better if you start developemnt on the PS3 is stricktly true.
I read a much more detailed article about this earlier and found it quite a positive step for the whole community.
what does a clown have to do with playstations?
your eyes: the PhyEngine, by
so what really, is it PhyreEngine or PhyEngine?
I just hope this also means more PC ports, considering how it works.
I also wish they didn't choose such a fucking stupid name.
Yeah all I see in that pic is a clown with big hair on the sides.
Developers get off your sequel spamming asses and make us some games you lazy fucks. Stop your whining. That means you too EA.
Yeah I see it too.
jk, where's the download!!
As for the announcement, it’s great news...and long overdue. I have no idea what any of that stuff means, but it sounds like it’ll be a real boon to PS3 development.
I'm actually finding myself quite impressed with Sony's actions as of late. (And EA's! What has the world COME to?!)
I mean, it took 'em a year to really start listening to the public and implementing everything that we know they NEEDED from about day one but at least they ARE listening.
They're finally climbing out and seeing some sunlight after being burried in their own egocentrism for a while.
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!
There still aren't many games I want on the system, but there's not much on the Wii left to look forward to either.