Rein: Work on 360's Unreal Tournament III just on hold

by Justin McElroy { Nov 16th 2007 at 9:32AM }

We had a spot of confusion yesterday when Epic's Mark Rein was quoted in one piece as saying work hadn't started on the Unreal Tournament III 360 version. Meanwhile, another site was reporting that they'd already played it on 360. Now, Rein has explained to us that it's not that work on the 360 version hasn't started yet, it's just that it's on hold.

"What I probably should have said was 'start working on it again.' We had the game up and running on all three platforms up until last spring. In fact Official Xbox Magazine came out and played the game for a great cover story they did on it. We stopped working on the 360 version so we could concentrate our efforts on shipping the various PC and PS3 versions. Once we get those out of the way, and take some time to enjoy the holidays with our friends and families, we'll start working on the 360 version again. There's still a decent bit of work to do. For example we have simple LAN play but no Xbox Live implementation yet and we need to work with Microsoft to figure out how to accommodate mods on their platform."

So take heart, 360 owners. While it may still be a while until you get your hands on the game, the wait won't be quite as excruciating as you thought.

Tags: epic, mark-rein, markrein, ps3, unreal-tournament-iii, unrealtournamentiii, ut3, xbox360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ChiTownRuler23 @ Nov 16th 2007 9:36AM

go read the xbox 360 fanboy comments on their blog....man talk about sour grapes

DangerMouse @ Nov 16th 2007 9:50AM

I'm glad there's a place for fanboys to go. Like a place to call their own. I wish they'd all swarm there like flys on dogshit and never post anywhere else again.

gonk @ Nov 16th 2007 11:14AM

boy ya know it'd be nice if there was some sort of website for ps3 fanboys to go to as well, so they'd stop saying retarded shit here

xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Nov 16th 2007 9:48AM

No problemo. Theres plenty of games to keep me busy anyway Halo3, COD4, Orange Box, Gears, Bioshock, NFS ProStreet, Assassins Creed, and of course MMMmmmario GALAXY!!!! But this is definately a 1st day take the day off purchase. For me atleast, even if there is no Mouse and KB support. It should be good times on XBL

Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Nov 16th 2007 10:09AM

As much as I love FPS. I'd love to have a game like Mario Galaxy on the Xbox. I really don't want to pay $300 for the Wii and the game, but I'd gladly buy for $60 for the Xbox version.

xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Nov 16th 2007 10:50AM

@Smoke_Dawg_187

It wasnt too bad I traded my Gamecube and a couple of games so I didnt pay full price for Teh Wii. I just had to have Mario Galaxy. Its the shiznit. Seriously a system seller for me. The Virtual Console is also great!

Slaziman @ Nov 16th 2007 9:51AM

I played the UT3 demo... didn't really enjoy myself. It's fast-paced, but somehow I just didn't enjoy it.

FidliousWong @ Nov 16th 2007 9:56AM

I did the demo as well. I'm buying the game both for PC (editing tools and just so I can play it) and PS3 (killer performance, friends that I play with, easy to coordinate teamplay outside of clans). My main complaint on the demo is on CTF. I do things like give teammates rides to and from flagzones and anytime they grab the flag, they WILL NOT get back in the truck. It's doubtful you can't RIDE vehicles with the flag since I've done just that. Without clans forming yet, you're really only getting half the game right now.

DangerMouse @ Nov 16th 2007 10:08AM

I played last night and it wouldn't let me get back in the vehicle with the flag. Makes sense i guess, but it was my second time playing, so i'm not to familiar with the game yet.

FidliousWong @ Nov 16th 2007 10:21AM

Were you driving? Main reason why I ask is because the common thing is they won't let you DRIVE a vehicle, but you can ride one. Works in Warhawk, worked in the one time I had a driver who knew what was going on in UT. But I haven't play consistantly enough to know for certain.

Grindstone @ Nov 16th 2007 1:35PM

Well, the UT series has always been the epitome of "run-n-gun" games, in my opinion. So, I'm not really caring when this game comes out. Sure, it'll be pretty, but that's not enough to get me on board.

Jeff @ Nov 16th 2007 3:44PM

In this version you can't capture the flag in vehicles, but you can use your hoverboard, or bind onto vehicles for a speedy/sneaky assault. Hoverboard to raptor and then flying away works nicely, but is risky. Personall, it makes team work more of a requirement than being able to make a fast getaway in a vehicle, and I love that.

n2 @ Nov 16th 2007 9:52AM

There's a HUGE difference between "working months ago with the exception of Live play" and "won't start on 360 version until next year." The latter implies it's not even started yet.

I knew they tabled the 360 version so they could concentrate on getting the PS3 version out the door.

Fish @ Nov 16th 2007 9:56AM

I'm glad Sony will get this sooner rather than later. While I'm displeased with pretty much every decision they've made since E3 2006, I would never want to wish destruction upon an ally in the videogame culture war.

We can begin all the in-fighting once the media stops calling our favorite pasttime nasty names, like "murder simulator"

Billy @ Nov 16th 2007 10:42AM

I wonder what went on in secret board room meetings to convince Epic to concentrate on the PS3 version above the 360. Sony must be paying a hefty sum for this, it makes no sense otherwise. 360 has a 5x bigger user base, and they've already released a game (Gears) that uses the same engine for the 360. It seems logical that the 360 version would come first, or at least at the same time as the PS3.

I'm not dissing on the PS3, I just don't understand this decision. Of course, I really want to play this game, I own a 360, and I do NOT own a PS3 - but that's not the reason for this post, seriously!

jomi294 @ Nov 16th 2007 11:16AM

So according to you, and your reliable sources, Xbox 360 has sold around 30 million consoles? Wow I must have missed a few years.

Slaziman @ Nov 16th 2007 11:18AM

It's called a hyperbole...

Billy @ Nov 16th 2007 11:19AM

I thought PS3 only had 2 million install base in the US?

FidliousWong @ Nov 16th 2007 2:30PM

*sigh*

There is no way in hell 360 has 10 million sales in the US alone.

But Billy, that's regardless of the issue. Gears Of War was getting UE3 up to snuff, period. UT3 on PS3 is getting UE3 running smoothly on PS3. Epic is, first and foremost, a technology company rather than a game developer. They make games which take advantage of their technology and stand as showcases. And with a game like Unreal Tournament, it's a matter of this game being driven by it's mod community. This is first and foremost the biggest aspect of why PS3 was the priority. XBL, that service that you pay for, is so very, very restrictive. And while Sony was saying "sure, bring the mods over," Microsoft was talking about their certification processes and such. To mod PS3, you put the mod on a flash drive, move it over, vammo. 360? Not so much. And that's why PS3 has the priority there. Epic wants to put the priority on the ability to put Invader Zim in Power Armor on your PS3 version.

Shawn @ Nov 16th 2007 2:32PM

It's simple really. They will sell a boat load on PC alone, and the PS3/360 versions are just icing on the cake as any multiplatform title is. Epic would have to butcher their Flagship franchise in order to appeal to MS's interests and Epic probably doesn't want to do that.
Think about it, right now the PC version is wide open for the modding community. Since Sony is allowing for almost the exact same experience, it's easy to release both candidates at the same time. With the 360 version, they have to rework the game so it integrates into Live so that you can pay for microtransactions. Not only that, the PC and PS3 versions will use a very similar online system, whereas the 360 needs to use the Live network for ranked and unranked play. To top it off, we all know Epic wasn't happy about how MS handled Gears and it's dlc, do I wouldn't be surprised that they still haven't reached a consensus behind closed doors as to how they will approach the game.

The bottom line is that the PC and PS3 versions are much more similar in nature and easier to get out the door. Don't think for a second that Epic wasn't going to cater to their PC audience for this game, and the PS3 just happened to follow suit. With Gears 2 probably already in the works now that the PC version is out, they are probably concentrating on that at the moment for 360. Afterall, Gears was much more successful on 360 than all previous Unreal Championship titles combined on Xbox.

Jeff @ Nov 16th 2007 3:45PM

Personally, I think it's because Epic aren't happy with the way Microsoft treated them with Gears of War. Charging for what would normally be free bonus maps.

HEY!!!! @ Nov 16th 2007 10:42AM

thanks epic for shafting your 360 customers again f**k you and have a nice day.

JJ @ Nov 16th 2007 10:46AM

yes because we all know 360 is what made epic what it is today right?

yeah gears of war was great but that doesnt mean Epic owes any allegience to the 360. They are, first and foremost, a PC game company, always have been.

As for PS3 over the 360... i'm guessing the fact that Sony lent them devs/money/whatever to iron out the kinks in the UE3 engine has something to do with that.

Marty @ Nov 16th 2007 10:53AM

Interesting that they are now "accommodating mods" on the 360... previously they announced their would be not mod support for that platform, yeah?

Jeff @ Nov 16th 2007 3:46PM

They're going to try and talk Microsoft into it. They never decided not to do it, they just new Micro$oft wouldn't accept it.

Now, perhaps, that the ps3 is doing a little better, and embracing the idea of mods (a hugeeee boon if you're familiar with the unreal tournament series) Microsoft will be a little more open.

License to ill @ Nov 16th 2007 10:56AM

Its no loss for me I'm not a Unreal-fan...

thomashenwood @ Nov 16th 2007 11:08AM

I quite like it, but with all the other games around, I can wait.

Gangsta Smurf @ Nov 16th 2007 11:11AM

360 is in DIRE need of another FPS. This shortage has me all fidgety.

Slaziman @ Nov 16th 2007 11:19AM

I see what you did there.

GoonieGooGoo @ Nov 16th 2007 11:18AM

No big whoop.....to be honest...played the UTIII demo on my PC Rig......and as always...you either love UT or you don't.....I personally wasn't blown away and had more fun with the CRYSIS Demo (yes my machine can easily run all these games at HIGH QUALITY).

If they released it now anyway....it would be buried by better games like BIOSHOCK, COD4, HALO 3, ROCK BAND and MASS EFFECT.

It's a great xmas to be a 360 owner and a gamer in general.......though I can't think of anything to put on my Xmas list for my PS3 (all multi-platform titles automatically goto my 360).
SINGSTAR?? But that's delayed to next year.....Drake's Fortune? I need to play the demo.....not super impressed from the trailers.

Jake @ Nov 16th 2007 11:34AM

Played Drake's at a buddy's. With no multiplayer, it might be a better game to rent over an extended break. But it is definately fun and well put together.

I never buy a game with less than 20 or 30 hours of gameplay (including online multiplayer). That alone means I'd never buy Drake's, but it is something you should definately try to play.

WiseGuy @ Nov 16th 2007 11:44AM

Oh no!!! What am I going to do if I have to wait for this. I already have GOW, Halo 3, PGR4, Mass Effect, Assassins Creed, Call of Duty 4, and Rock Band to play. Dammit it!!! I need to squeeze this title in there RIGHT NOW!!!!!!! (Sarcasm). What is the big deal? It's not as if there is nothing to play on the 360. Best console on the market... end of story!!!

ZippyDSMlee @ Nov 16th 2007 1:16PM

Then why is the WII sellign better?
Altho the 360 dose have more fun 10 hour thrill ride games at 60 a pop tis not worth it,the 360 is filled with mostly shortsighted fluff that they want 2-3X what it should cost.

Its not like the PS3 is better hell its worse right now because of the BWC backsliding and oversold hardware spec....

what's sad is the WII aint all that either...
I got Bioshock,Jericho and the whitcher put 400 into a new video card and wish I got a WII or 360... either I suck or gaming is more fluff and less game than ever before....
==========================
Ignore MS's pad V KB&M BS and add KB&M support!

xXFenixKnightXx @ Nov 16th 2007 1:54PM

@WiseGuy

Youve got balls my friend. +1 heart =)

Shawn @ Nov 16th 2007 2:19PM

probably because UT3 is the best multiplayer shooter coming out for the foreseeable future?? You obviously haven't played past UT titles so it won't be problem missing what you aren't aware of.

FidliousWong @ Nov 16th 2007 2:37PM

"either I suck or gaming is more fluff and less game than ever before...."

I'd say gaming is more game and less fluff than ever before. You have the average shooter lasting 8-10 hours in single player when before it was lucky to pass 2 hours. Action games are running 10-20 were as they used to last 3-4. Not to mention the HUGE difference in length versus NES era games (Contra = 12 minutes). Hell, PC gaming is even bringing back the 100 hour RPGs.

I'd just chalk it up to you being a moron and having a fuzzy memory on life before savepoints.

UltimateQ @ Nov 16th 2007 1:17PM

I hope it never gets released for the 360. No one will even play it cause all of those idiots will be stuck on halo, because for some reason they think its ground-breaking. A game such as this does not deserve to be insulted in such a way.

Shawn @ Nov 16th 2007 2:12PM

I wish they would have concentrated on the PC version the whole time, like every other UT, instead of any console version. I would love to see the reaction from console only gamers if they knew there favorite console game was being delayed thanks to the PC. So long as the PC version comes out next week, that's all I care about.

To the console preference, of course Epic is going to want to work with the most open platform, and that's the PS3. If MS allowed for mods/maps and mouse and keyboard, they would have gotten the nod, but MS doesn't know how to open up, and MS want to charge for every single thing over XBL. God forbid they can't screw their users into buying five dollar maps, or one dollar skins for your character. And the sad part is, MS fanboys will defend MS's actions no matter what, and then complain about UT3 being dead last on their system.