With Quantic Dream's previous (and very weird) Indigo Prophecy available on multiple platforms, many gamers have been curious as to why Heavy Rain is a PS3 exclusive. PushSquare reports that Quantic Dream's David Cage -- once again -- explained the reasoning behind the game's exclusivity at the Eurogamer Expo. He first noted that any answer he gave would be "suspicious," but further explained that the PS3 hardware is "extremely powerful," adding, "If you make a real PS3 engine, then you can have really fantastic performances." He elaborated that porting to the Playstation 3 from other platforms "becomes difficult" (something we've heard before).
Beyond technical reasons, Cage said that the team at Quantic Dream loves the console. "I play PSOne, PS2, it's really a part of my culture," said Cage. Cage also added that realistic graphics aren't necessary to create emotional characters, but noted that the goal of Heavy Rain was to create truly believable characters. "With this approach," said Cage, "PS3 was by far the best platform."
Given what we've seen of Heavy Rain thus far, we'd be hard-pressed to argue.
[Via VG247]
Reader Comments (139)
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 11:15PM mahouneko said
The Cell is not a chip, it's a system architecture that revolves around the use of multiple sub-processing units centered around one CPU. Games and multimedia programs use multi-threaded programming to process and deliver content. What the Cell's architecture provides is the ability to run multiple processes at the same time.
Multi-threaded programming is different from multi-process programming in the sense that threads are execution lines within a process.
A good example is to open up Firefox and Google Chrome. With Firefox, every window you open is an instance of a thread that's running within the firefox.exe process. With Google Chrome, every window you open is its own process. Try it out and make sure you have the Task Manager opened up.
Back to what we were talking about, another difference between multi-threaded programming and multi-process programming is execution time. With multi-threads, you're essentially processing one thread at a time within a process. With multi-processes, you're essentially running all the processes concurrently (in parallel) so you're getting faster feedback/execution time from the CPU.
The current PC architecture is still reliant on using brute force to execute programs and threads. Multi-core processors were designed the idea of dealing with this exact issue but thus far, it hasn't been utilized very well, at least not in my opinion. A perfect example would be Supreme Commander. If you want massive battles all over the map, odds are pretty good that it STILL won't run very smoothly due to its massive scale. On a system like the PS3, if it is optimized properly, the massiveness of the game itself won't detract from the game's experience. On the other hand, if we were to port Supreme Commander to the 360, the game would have some serious difficulties because of the 360's PC-like architecture.
I posted this Ars Technica article earlier but it's a fitting example of the situation we have between what Sony offers and pushes for and what the current PC architecture is like:
http://arstechnica.com/old/content/2000/04/ps2vspc.ars
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Multi-threaded programming is different from multi-process programming in the sense that threads are execution lines within a process.
A good example is to open up Firefox and Google Chrome. With Firefox, every window you open is an instance of a thread that's running within the firefox.exe process. With Google Chrome, every window you open is its own process. Try it out and make sure you have the Task Manager opened up.
Back to what we were talking about, another difference between multi-threaded programming and multi-process programming is execution time. With multi-threads, you're essentially processing one thread at a time within a process. With multi-processes, you're essentially running all the processes concurrently (in parallel) so you're getting faster feedback/execution time from the CPU.
The current PC architecture is still reliant on using brute force to execute programs and threads. Multi-core processors were designed the idea of dealing with this exact issue but thus far, it hasn't been utilized very well, at least not in my opinion. A perfect example would be Supreme Commander. If you want massive battles all over the map, odds are pretty good that it STILL won't run very smoothly due to its massive scale. On a system like the PS3, if it is optimized properly, the massiveness of the game itself won't detract from the game's experience. On the other hand, if we were to port Supreme Commander to the 360, the game would have some serious difficulties because of the 360's PC-like architecture.
I posted this Ars Technica article earlier but it's a fitting example of the situation we have between what Sony offers and pushes for and what the current PC architecture is like:
http://arstechnica.com/old/content/2000/04/ps2vspc.ars
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 7:34PM Flo said
both of the comments above me are obv troll baitz
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 7:34PM (Unverified) said
Translation: I'm a worthless Playstation fanboy waste or oxygen so that's why Heavy Rain a game sharing it name with the best Tag Team of the last 10 years who will no doubt sue me and my company into bankruptcy over my use of the name is a PS3 Exclusive.
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 7:35PM (Unverified) said
Well Ps3 like they said is a powerful system no doubt about it the problem is the money and time it takes develop it for the system thats why you have more xbox exclusives. So i am happy this game is coming out for the system it can show what it can do (if you havent seen uncharted 2 all ready)
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 7:48PM stonedkillar said
Troll bait? Dude , shut up. The fact is if a game like this came out on the 360, yeah it might require two disk , ok so you have to install one and the trade off for owning a ps3 is mando installs because the blueray can't process and computer fast enough..these are facts..not troll bait which is corny anyway what's troll bait
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 8:00PM gatotsu911 said
"Believable characters"?? Every single trailer I've seen of this game has been like a textbook example of the uncanny valley. Also, David Cage is a massive, raging douche.
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 9:18PM CaramelZappa said
Don't know shit about uncanny valley, however, heavy rain having "believable characters" is a good laugh. The game does probably have the closest to photo-realistic character models I've seen, but that's where it ends.
The mouth moves as if it's in sync with the talking, but it also moves as if it's a separate entity from the face. The rest of the face stays rigid while the mouth is flapping about. Believable? Not at all.
The rest of the animation is competent but not lifelike at all.
And don't get me started on the voice acting. It's just bad. It feels like all the characters are in separate rooms reading off scripts (which they likely are) There's no interaction between characters in their voices, and no sense of emotion in their tone.
For a game that's sole purpose is creating believable characters, I've seen plenty of games that pull it off better without it being the whole point of the game. (Uncharted 2 or Half Life 2 anyone?)
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The mouth moves as if it's in sync with the talking, but it also moves as if it's a separate entity from the face. The rest of the face stays rigid while the mouth is flapping about. Believable? Not at all.
The rest of the animation is competent but not lifelike at all.
And don't get me started on the voice acting. It's just bad. It feels like all the characters are in separate rooms reading off scripts (which they likely are) There's no interaction between characters in their voices, and no sense of emotion in their tone.
For a game that's sole purpose is creating believable characters, I've seen plenty of games that pull it off better without it being the whole point of the game. (Uncharted 2 or Half Life 2 anyone?)
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 8:13PM stonedkillar said
(thinking to myself) Why do I waste my time ? These fanboys can't handle the truth..Never could, they like rumors and fabrication..why won't they just get girlfriends and grow out of this. I have to do some laundry..hmmm I should bake some cookies..Mmmmm cookies
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 8:24PM Warlock said
In other words: we started development on the PS3 and it's too much of a pain to port it to 360 with the wildly different hardware architecture so we're going to try and justify our decision as if it was some grand design we had!
But yeah, really the whole thing is pointless. Who cares? This is just PR fluff. It's not going to change anything, and it's just going to fuel fanboy flames.
But yeah, really the whole thing is pointless. Who cares? This is just PR fluff. It's not going to change anything, and it's just going to fuel fanboy flames.
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 9:22PM The Punisher said
No one ever questions why these developers say these things. Could this all be Payola from Sony.
I'm sure Sony agrees to finance the entire marketing of this game if they get the developer to say these outlandish things.
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I'm sure Sony agrees to finance the entire marketing of this game if they get the developer to say these outlandish things.
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 10:15PM (Unverified) said
Yep, I don't care either way, I'm definitely getting Heavy Rain. But this does seem like marketing that is towards PS3 fanboys. They see a developer giving their beloved platform praise, and they will eat it up.
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Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 8:41PM NeoHumpty said
I sure am glad that all these x-box fans are coming here to set the record straight. I was about to listen to what the developers that keep coming forward saying that ps3 takes getting used to, but is a better machine. How would the developers know more than these trolls sitting in their mommy's basements??? Thank you fanboys, from now on I will just forward all my questions to you and your enormous wealth of knowledge on programming and disc size.
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 8:44PM (Unverified) said
Dude... No one even knows what the fuck you're advertising...
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 8:49PM NeoHumpty said
NHL Jersey Woman for $40?? First off, if she's in the NHL, she's probably lez. And second, I've never met a woman from Jersey worth $40.
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 9:39PM TUROK1134 said
This game was originally slated for the PC. Why the hell would they go from PC to PS3 exclusive? That's a rhetorical question by the way.
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 9:48PM (Unverified) said
@ Wes
Just one point to make. I don't normally get involved in these kinds of discussions, and this is in fact my first post here. I just wanted to clarify the part where you brought up Naughty Dog using 100% of the PS3.
This statement is out of context. While Naughty Dog is using 100% of the PS3, they are only using 100% of the PS3 with their current coding abilities for the system. As coding becomes refined, they will be able to use more power the system has to offer. Just as we saw titles using 100% of the PS2 three years after its release, yet we are still seeing games looking better and better on that system. In another 3 years we will look back on Uncharted 2, and its graphics might seem slightly archaic.
Just wanted to point out that they aren't using 100% of the PS3, but they pushed their abilities to 100% while still meeting a deadline.
Just one point to make. I don't normally get involved in these kinds of discussions, and this is in fact my first post here. I just wanted to clarify the part where you brought up Naughty Dog using 100% of the PS3.
This statement is out of context. While Naughty Dog is using 100% of the PS3, they are only using 100% of the PS3 with their current coding abilities for the system. As coding becomes refined, they will be able to use more power the system has to offer. Just as we saw titles using 100% of the PS2 three years after its release, yet we are still seeing games looking better and better on that system. In another 3 years we will look back on Uncharted 2, and its graphics might seem slightly archaic.
Just wanted to point out that they aren't using 100% of the PS3, but they pushed their abilities to 100% while still meeting a deadline.
Posted: Nov 2nd 2009 9:47PM RageOverdose said
Eh, I doubt porting it is close to impossible, but I'm sure it's just a money thing for Sony. I mean, his comment about the Playstation line being a big part of his culture/life is a legitimate reason too, I guess. I know it's a little fantasy of mine to develop a game for a Nintendo console, so I kinda understand where he's coming from.
As for the ridiculous console penis fights (I can understand PC, but guys, the hardware specs are nothing but a distraction for consoles, it means nothing on your end, I'm beginning to appreciate Nintendo opting out of disclosing that), I think it's a testament to the 360 that FFXIII is being developed on it. Back when the engine was still the White Engine, it was utilizing a large portion of the Cell, and probably is using more. Since the 360 version is supposedly identical, I'm sure porting from PS3 to 360 is not impossible. I want to say the Cell could, in theory, allow for more advanced rendering, but at the same time, the PS3 GPU has far less going for it than the 360 one.
As for the ridiculous console penis fights (I can understand PC, but guys, the hardware specs are nothing but a distraction for consoles, it means nothing on your end, I'm beginning to appreciate Nintendo opting out of disclosing that), I think it's a testament to the 360 that FFXIII is being developed on it. Back when the engine was still the White Engine, it was utilizing a large portion of the Cell, and probably is using more. Since the 360 version is supposedly identical, I'm sure porting from PS3 to 360 is not impossible. I want to say the Cell could, in theory, allow for more advanced rendering, but at the same time, the PS3 GPU has far less going for it than the 360 one.
Posted: Nov 3rd 2009 12:14AM (Unverified) said
After all these years people are still arguing about which system is better. Fucking Amazing.
Posted: Nov 3rd 2009 12:30AM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
I hear you man. I'm getting over it myself. The same way that I'm tired of arguing that Shogun beat Machida, the Kennedy assassination was more than a lone gunman, swine flu vaccination is shady and that politics are mere theatre. The sad thing is that Cage wasn't even talking shit about the 360 or stroking the PS3. Why the fuck a developer needs to validate what console they released a game for is beyond me anyway ... the whole thing is just petty.
Haven't we all been over this like a billion time already?
For fucks sake. Oh and I'm rooting for your Phils ... not a fan myself but there aren't many things in the world I despise more than the Yankees.
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Haven't we all been over this like a billion time already?
For fucks sake. Oh and I'm rooting for your Phils ... not a fan myself but there aren't many things in the world I despise more than the Yankees.
Posted: Nov 3rd 2009 12:57AM (Unverified) said
Yeah I know.
They're basically the same thing.
Wii, on the other hand - it's graphics BLOW both PS3 and 360 out of the water - there just hasn't been a game to show it off yet.
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They're basically the same thing.
Wii, on the other hand - it's graphics BLOW both PS3 and 360 out of the water - there just hasn't been a game to show it off yet.
Posted: Nov 3rd 2009 2:49AM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
To be honest I don't think any of them are the same in the least bit. The only thing they really have in common is that they play games. The 360 is built around online multiplayer experiences and doing things with friends, the PS3 is built around media functionality and single player experiences while the Wii is built around physical interaction and local multiplayer gaming. None of them are better or worse as it's completely subjective. Each of them can also cater to the others strengths even if it's not as well (i.e. 360 netflix & psn) comparatively.
The bottom line is that your going to have fun with all of them in there own ways. I don't like the cliche of they all have their strengths and weaknesses because I don't see it like that. I can see people saying the Wii's weakness is it's software stack and the fact it's not capable of HD but I still don't think thats a weakness ... it's a philosophy on the consoles design.
Enough ranting.
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The bottom line is that your going to have fun with all of them in there own ways. I don't like the cliche of they all have their strengths and weaknesses because I don't see it like that. I can see people saying the Wii's weakness is it's software stack and the fact it's not capable of HD but I still don't think thats a weakness ... it's a philosophy on the consoles design.
Enough ranting.
Posted: Nov 3rd 2009 1:58PM mahouneko said
@espoch:
I take it that you haven't tried out Monster Hunter Tri? Visually, it's pretty much the best game to show off the Wii's 3D capabilities. The Black Wii bundle only makes it sweeter. I had to restrain myself from buying the Black Wii bundle at the import store I went to (www.japanvideogames.com, they were at Anime Expo this year which is all sorts of win for me).
@johnny:
I think the PS3 is capable of multiplayer/party experiences. I think it's a matter of firmware and getting people to program the firmware like Google programmers with all the programming hacks and tricks so that the execution lines are processed at the SPUs. Personally, I'm curious to know what programming language was used to program the PS3's firmware.
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I take it that you haven't tried out Monster Hunter Tri? Visually, it's pretty much the best game to show off the Wii's 3D capabilities. The Black Wii bundle only makes it sweeter. I had to restrain myself from buying the Black Wii bundle at the import store I went to (www.japanvideogames.com, they were at Anime Expo this year which is all sorts of win for me).
@johnny:
I think the PS3 is capable of multiplayer/party experiences. I think it's a matter of firmware and getting people to program the firmware like Google programmers with all the programming hacks and tricks so that the execution lines are processed at the SPUs. Personally, I'm curious to know what programming language was used to program the PS3's firmware.
Posted: Nov 3rd 2009 1:47AM gatotsu911 said
Why is it assumed if someone uses the term "uncanny valley" that they don't know what they're talking about?? I know damn well what the uncanny valley is. It is the point in the attempt of depicting hyperrealistic human-like images/characters in which the characters look extremely realistic but not sufficiently human, and thus provoke feeling of unease, eeriness, or disgust - it's the reason why dolls, especially extremely realistic ones, can be so creepy, and it's been one of the chief stumbling blocks in the pursuit of photorealistic computer animation so far (see Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, although honestly even was less egregious than this). CaramelZappa already covered to a large degree the presence of the uncanny valley in this game - mouths that move while the face stays still, jerky animation. The other component that gets to me here is the eyes. The eyes are often the definitive point at which a lifelike model falls into the uncanny valley, and such is the case here. The eyes are elaborate, but look dull and expressionless - like bulbs inserted into the face.
Now, maybe instead of assuming that anyone who brings up the term "uncanny valley" to describe this game is just an idiot and doesn't know what they're saying, you should question why so many people are bringing up that term in relation to this game in the first place.
Now, maybe instead of assuming that anyone who brings up the term "uncanny valley" to describe this game is just an idiot and doesn't know what they're saying, you should question why so many people are bringing up that term in relation to this game in the first place.
Posted: Nov 3rd 2009 2:42AM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
The technology will get there eventually. It's already starting to get there in pre-rendered movies and eventually those techniques will be transferred to gaming. It's going to take time thats for sure but I think Heavy Rain has come closer to achieving photorealistic animations and models than anything else. The only other thing I can really think of thats even similar is Sony's Afrika and thats more about the animals and their movements. Just wait to get the game in your hands before you write certain aspects off as dull and lifeless.
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Posted: Nov 3rd 2009 2:05AM GoonieGooGoo said
It's called money...and lots of it......how else do consoles get "exclusives" these days?
Posted: Nov 3rd 2009 2:20AM super troll said
the xbox can push some more but i think it's going two hit the limits soon but the ps3 still got alot more juice. one game i like two see is FF13 (xbox ps3 ) and FF13 versus (ps3) and keep the fanboy bs up your ass ok
Posted: Nov 3rd 2009 6:04AM Alphathon said
I don't know about anyone else (whith the possible exception of Spyder), but personally I hold your using of "y" instead of "why" against you. Then you specifically use the word "HALO" instead of "hello" which just shouts "Xbox 360 fanboy" (if you just wanted to type wstar why didn't you type helo?). Finally, none of your post actually seem to have any relevent content. Yeah, you mentioned the uncanny valley, but it is no more in the uncanney valley than any other 3d game ever released. the reasons things fall into said "valley" is that either they look really real but the movement isn't at all natural or they look very almost real, but theres just something about them which you just can't put your finger on that's "wrong", be it that the "flesh" doesn't quite pick up the light correctly, or eyes have a blank stare (because believe it or not you can tell when someone is focusing on you, which androids etc don't do in the same way we do) or whatever. No game I have ever seen falls into the uncanney valley, mainly because they don't look real enough. Thye may look verry real, but you can still tell they are rendered in a game engine. so you don't notice the small imperfections mentioned bacause you don't expect it to look convincing (you aren't fooled into thinking it's real)
Posted: Nov 3rd 2009 8:10AM Tuxy79 said
We'll see if he changes his tune if the game performs poorly in sales.
Posted: Nov 3rd 2009 9:23AM (Unverified) said
Arguing on the internet is like the Special Olympics - even if you win, you're still retarded.
anyways,
Can't wait for this game.
anyways,
Can't wait for this game.
Posted: Nov 3rd 2009 10:14AM (Unverified) said
I prefer switching disks and play immediately that wait 13 min x4 for installing a blu-ray disk (MGS4)
Posted: Nov 3rd 2009 11:05AM CaramelZappa said
Me too, but Uncharted 2 had no installs, and aside from when you first start up the game, no loading screens either. Maybe Heavy Rain will be the same?
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Posted: Nov 3rd 2009 10:43PM ray000000001 said
There's nothing HIgh End PC can't do that PS3 can. Considering all games are build on PC.
Posted: Nov 4th 2009 10:38AM (Unverified) said
im just waiting for the wii version
Posted: Nov 4th 2009 3:55PM GErvy said
This game is like a developer's masturbation session.
It seems to be all flash, and no substance.
And even the flash is starting to look crappy compared to other games coming out.
Each release preview video looks worse than the next (Somehow resolutions and frame-rates keep dropping with each look at the game).
What was originally touted as revolutionary, now looks like a choose-your own adventure book, with Dragon's Lair controls, and Sims 2 type scenes (in dark hues of course).
Which makes me worry in that they claim to be using so much of PS3's capabilities (which obviously.. they aren't since other titles already look better).
It seems to be all flash, and no substance.
And even the flash is starting to look crappy compared to other games coming out.
Each release preview video looks worse than the next (Somehow resolutions and frame-rates keep dropping with each look at the game).
What was originally touted as revolutionary, now looks like a choose-your own adventure book, with Dragon's Lair controls, and Sims 2 type scenes (in dark hues of course).
Which makes me worry in that they claim to be using so much of PS3's capabilities (which obviously.. they aren't since other titles already look better).
Posted: Nov 7th 2009 12:33PM ZeroCorpse said
Heavy Rain is as awesome as Duke Nukem Forever.
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