Our prognosis for mods on the Xbox 360 version of
Unreal Tournament 3: not so good. In an interview with Joystiq, Epic Games' VP Mark Rein told us that there's no progress with Microsoft on making
UT3 mods work with Xbox Live. One would think Microsoft would be more open to community content given the recent
Xbox Live Community announcement, but Rein noted that the system is different. Rein said the Xbox 360 version has no set release date.
Conversely, Rein did acknowledge the current PS3 mod system is less than stellar and told us to expect improvements coming soon. We'll have more from our interviews with Mark Rein, CEO Tim Sweeney, and Cliffy B later this week.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
caramelzappa @ Feb 20th 2008 8:25PM
Strange that the 360 version is so troublesome despite that it was the first console to show off the engine.
I've been thinking about picking up the pc version soon.
DWells55 @ Feb 20th 2008 8:37PM
The problem isn't the engine, it's Microsoft's paranoia and refusal to allow something as crazy as *gasp!* free community-made content. God forbid any of us paying XBL subscribers realize that it's possible to get new content for games without being nickel and dimed for it and having it wrapped in DRM.
Negativecool @ Feb 20th 2008 8:40PM
It has nothing to do with the engine nor does it have anything to do with Epic getting everything out of the 360.
This issue has everything to do with Microsoft's limitation of its online capabilities.
I simply don't understand Microsoft preaching its openness so openly, yet impeding real user created content, and more importantly, impeding Epic freaking games from ever making it a reality on the 360.
It’s bullshit and it makes no sense!
Triforceowner @ Feb 20th 2008 8:43PM
Microsoft does allow developer moderated downloadable content, but Epic doesn't want to use it for some reason. Mods are completely possible, but for some reason Epic is being dumb about it.
Triforceowner @ Feb 20th 2008 8:52PM
Xbox Live Silver Platform:
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3161957
Epic is a fudging liar when it comes to this stuff.
caramelzappa @ Feb 20th 2008 9:18PM
I'm just thinking the game itself could easily be released on the 360 now and Epic can have a later update support modifications when they get it all sorted out with Microsoft. UT mods have traditionally been awesome, as is Epic's attitude and support for them, but I'm sure a lot of people would buy the game without them.
Zeus.:God @ Feb 20th 2008 11:21PM
It has to do with the fact that they like a closed secure system to have as much reliability as possible. If they open it up and allow users to upload content to Xbox LIVE, risks for hacking other member's Xboxes would come into existence, possibly stealing credit card numbers and such.
I don't think it has so much to do with them being stubborn rather than they would rather keep things safe.
Triforceowner @ Feb 22nd 2008 11:04AM
Yeah, let the truth get rated down, go ahead. I want to see one of these videogame journalists (this is not directed at Joystiq, because Joystiq is a blog) actually start pressing developers and publishers on stuff. Go up to Mark Rein and ask him directly, "Why aren't you using the Xbox Live Silver Platform?" There is probably a simple answer, but right now it looks like Epic is playing hard to get or something.
HB96st @ Feb 20th 2008 8:25PM
Um, I don't think anyone with a 360 really cares... Especially after the Gears2 announcement.
Is it just me or does it seem like Engadget/Joystiq turned pro-PS3 recently?? Showing their true colors?? Blu??
HighFiveJesus @ Feb 20th 2008 8:40PM
Shaddap already.
Rususeruru @ Feb 20th 2008 8:58PM
just you, there's a reason for being so pro PS3 it's the only blu-ray player on the market now that will do EVERYTHING BR is suppose to do in the future. Profile issues.
Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Feb 20th 2008 8:58PM
@ HB96st
I'm starting to see it as well.
Mr Khan @ Feb 20th 2008 9:04PM
Please, read into it enough and Joystiq is anti-everything
qo_op @ Feb 20th 2008 9:22PM
@HB96st, NO U!!!!!
Arnie @ Feb 20th 2008 8:31PM
Someone ban this MF!!
DMeisterJ @ Feb 20th 2008 8:44PM
Weird how it looks like MS is not going to allow this to happen, but will let you put any game (via XNA) on XBOX Live... I don't understand.
XanthouS @ Feb 20th 2008 9:13PM
My thoughts exactly.
How can you rant and rave about the possibilities available through XNA for users to create their own amazing games and then deny a game of its ability to release user-made mods?
There are a lot of fantastic games (and developers) out there who had their roots as mods.
KiraXD @ Feb 20th 2008 11:44PM
el oh el... yeah cuz you have to pay for XNA... MS needs the money from people who make the games... so they can turn around and charge everyone else for said game... seem logical to me. wait... wut?
Sky Shark X2 @ Feb 20th 2008 8:48PM
I think the Halo2 hacking community and the Xbox hackers/modders in general can be thanked for the resistance to community mods on the 360. But you know what, if you want the mods so badly go buy another version. If you NEED mods to make you enjoy the game then you probably don't like the game to begin with. Otherwise just suck it up and deal with it, Microsoft has good reasons for what they do, I hate how people act like their an evil corperation and Sony and the others are pure angles who can never put their buissness ideals above the consumers.
John McPoop @ Feb 20th 2008 9:35PM
@sky shark
The game is awesome to begin with. But it is primarily an on-line game and the user created content adds TONS of replay-ability to the game. The 3rd person view mutator makes it feel like a completely different game. I think Microsoft is being extremely overly cautious and thinks the flood gates will open for other games if they allow it. Too bad for 360 exclusive owners because the extra content (mutators, 3rd person, game modes, mod's, skins and levels) adds an infinite amount of replay to the game. I suspect that hard core X-Bots will not buy it anyway simply because PS3 had it first and to them that makes the game terrible.
HB96st @ Feb 20th 2008 9:27PM
You're right.. SDF get used to Downloads.. Soon no hard copies for YOU! lol, it's funny.. you won't be able to take a game to a friends house.. you gotta take the whole PS3!!
el serpiente @ Feb 20th 2008 11:02PM
It's nice that joystiq lets the mentally handicapped participate.
John McPoop @ Feb 20th 2008 11:53PM
Microsoft wants digital downloads not Sony...WTF is wrong with you??? That was just random babble anyway...
migz7 @ Feb 20th 2008 9:39PM
Let me see, so I won't be able to play the 100+ user created maps that have me playing in scene taken straight out of "Honey I Shrunk the Kids." Seems more like a blessing to me.
nutman @ Feb 20th 2008 10:07PM
The actual problem is Xbox Live itself. The original coders did not anticipate a lot of things. Thats why the friends limit is 100, thats why there were so many problems after the influx of users during the holidays, and thats why Epic is going to have a problem with UT3 mods.
Xbox live is a total mess under the hood.
HB96st @ Feb 20th 2008 10:24PM
I will admit I won't even buy UT... I've always known it as a PC game... -Like you NEED a keyboard/mouse to enjoy the game.. Ehh.. No disrespect to the PC heads.. I'm just a console gamer.
nutman @ Feb 21st 2008 11:01AM
I would just avoid UT3 all together because it sucks ass.
jonondaspot @ Feb 20th 2008 11:21PM
I remember when the 360 had just been announced and MS was talking how Live account holders could even open a personal mini-store and seel things like mods or even T shirts.
Sad really. You can't even get a free mod. As of last month there were over 50 mods and mutators for UTIII.
This tight fisted moronic approach will be one more thing MS looks back on a year from now when they are sitting firmly in third place.
FidliousWong @ Feb 21st 2008 12:58AM
It's not suprising, but I would like to see them support this. I mean, hell, examples?
Halo 2 on PC comes with a map editor.... what if those maps could be transported to 360? Gears of War has an editor as well on PC.... transport it to 360.
Mods are a blessing, support them.
Ordeith @ Feb 21st 2008 2:55AM
I just want the ability to move my saved Viva Piñata gardens between the PC and 360 versions of the game.
GoonieGooGoo @ Feb 21st 2008 8:14AM
THis game is dead in the water....so who cares??
Its not selling on PC...and the PS3 version I traded in because it wasn't anything special...
NO COMMUNITY = NO MODS OR GAMES TO PLAY.
Sorry.....a layer of graphics doesn't keep the gameplay from feeling dated.
COD4, TEAM FORTRESS 2 for PS3 owners (as well as HALO 2/3 for 360 owners)......are better options
Nathan2008 @ Feb 21st 2008 12:36PM
TF2 and cod 4 are available for 360 and better versions too seen as TF2 port was done by ea for the ps3!!
Boss Tempo @ Feb 26th 2008 10:07AM
Oh Jesus Henry Christ I tried to keep my mouth shut on this one. I really did but DAMN some of these comments are asinine. Unreal Tournament has ALWAYS been about user created content. Remember when all you little moron kids discovered Halo? OK that was practically a generation AFTER most PC gamers had worn out their 2nd or 3rd keyboard playing UT. This is why consoles should stick to their wonky FPS wannabe games and leave UT to the PC where people can create their own maps, skins, mods etc. and play them FOR FREE. MS won't adopt this philosophy because they want to A) Keep XBL closed and safe from viruses and other crap that would only ruin your experience anyway and B) They would want to charge for user created content and then be the bad guys because its free everywhere else. Why go that route? Why knowingly implement a plan that's going to make you look like a turd sandwich? You'd have to butcher the editor into another BS Halo style editor, which is flat out junk compared to UT's, plus it would probably cost more to do that than its worth. This isn't Epic's fault and its really not MS's fault either - it's just the way it is so buck up and stop the crying. Play it on PC. Trust me. You'll enjoy it a whole lot more, especially if you want to play new maps, mods and get the most out of the UT experience. Otherwise go back to Halo and talk smack with the children.
pixelsword @ Feb 22nd 2008 10:42AM
Really, they already said that the game will have to be cut-down for it to even play on the DVD, so I think they're trying to either get it done right but they don't have the space, or they're lowering the visual quality so much so that it looks like crap and they won't port it or are afraid to ruin their rep.
Gears will be fine, because the stages are small, so even if you double the size of the stages, if you do them all "inside" you can double the size but still keep the quality (which I think they will do; as a matter of fact, I think most of Gears will be inside this time).