From Software is Having Trouble Porting Dark Souls

[Clearing the Eye]

"In terms of the PC version, the quick answer is no, [we won't be fixing the frame rate problems]," he said. "Because we wanted to get the PC version out as soon as possible, it's more strictly a port from the console version. We haven't been able to step up into doing any specific optimization for PC."

So instead of you know, doing there damn jobs and fixing these bugs, there going to ship a game they know is buggy because they need to get it out in a release schedule which is obviously too short. Call me dumb if you want, but i wont be getting this.

They never intended on making the game available for the PC and are doing so only because they believe there is enough of a market for it to be mildly profitable. They aren't in this to offer up a fantastic new game; they are simply meeting demand so as to increase cash flow. As such, a less than stellar product is all they need to put out, as it'll be cheap enough to still make them some money and quick enough not to take up time they could be using on other, more profitable business.

 

[ultrachicken]

I anticipate a massive amount of bitching in response to this, despite the previous mass complaining that Dark Souls was not on the PC. I'm pleased that they're both honest about the issues they're having and also try to make up for it by providing more content.

Plus, even if they just port it with all the issues the console version has, it's still an amazing game.

 

[Imbechile]

I can't believe how many people are going to swallow this shit and buy a rushed port.

And then people will complain that developers target the consoles first and foremost, and the PC gets a sloppy port "eventually".

That's why PC gaming is unimportant to the industry, because PC gamers have no fucking self-respect, buy everything that is thrown in front of them, and the publishers see that they can make a lot of money with minimal work.

More content you say? Geee, that would be great, if I can get the FUCKING GAME TO WORK.

 

[GundamSentinel]

Swallow your pride and get help guys

I appreciate their honesty and openness about it, but yeah, find someone who can do a proper job with it. It'll make it a better game for both player and developer. I'd like PC gamers to get a good experience out of this great game.

 

[Rabid Toilet]

I guess I'm not getting the problem here. It's not like the game will be a buggy mess, it'll just be the same as the console versions, which worked fine. So your FPS might drop a bit during Blight Town, big whoop. It's still more than playable, and we all dealt with it just fine.

 

[hazabaza1]

Hey, From, how about, I dunno, delaying it until you fix your fucking game?
Seriously, I love Dark Souls, and Blight Town was shit. There's no reason to release it in the same state on PC. Just wait a bit and get some damn help or something.

 

[Neonit]

...."Because we wanted to get the PC version out as soon as possible..."

oh boy. this wont end well... and let me guess, poor game sales will be blamed on pirates?
ehhh.... i hope it wont be that bad, i really want to see that game on pc, i mean, it sound like an awesome pc title....

i guess time will show how it will end.....

 

[BreakfastMan]

Hey, From, how about, I dunno, delaying it until you fix your fucking game?
Seriously, I love Dark Souls, and Blight Town was shit. There's no reason to release it in the same state on PC. Just wait a bit and get some damn help or something.

Yes there is, unfortunately. That reason? Money. It is quite possible From just does not have the funds to polish the game. It is also quite possible that the extra dosh required to polish it would turn the experiment from a mild profit to a loss. Neither of these is a good thing, especially for a business that is just entering into a competitive market with zero experience. Capitalism really does suck sometimes, huh? :/

 

[The Human Torch]

And Dark Souls' difficulty level claims yet another soul. Or a whole company worth of souls.
Those brave, brave fools...

 

[thethird0611]

So an honest guess is that From doesnt have the money to hire an outside company to port it. Maybe there could be some deal where the DLC can be purchased on the PC to help pay for the port? Huh? Huh?

 

[hazabaza1]

Hey, From, how about, I dunno, delaying it until you fix your fucking game?
Seriously, I love Dark Souls, and Blight Town was shit. There's no reason to release it in the same state on PC. Just wait a bit and get some damn help or something.

Yes there is, unfortunately. That reason? Money. It is quite possible From just does not have the funds to polish the game. It is also quite possible that the extra dosh required to polish it would turn the experiment from a mild profit to a loss. Neither of these is a good thing, especially for a business that is just entering into a competitive market with zero experience. Capitalism really does suck sometimes, huh? :/

Ugh.
I dunno, release the DLC to consoles, and use the profits to polish the PC version?
Dammit capitalism.

 

[Trag Oul]

Why is from even working on this anyway? Bamco wanted a port, bamco wanted gfwl(so they could port the xbox version easier). If they wanted it so bad they should have a)hired a studio specializing in porting or b)let from work on new content(esp if u want to charge me $15 for what could be only ~5hrs of content bamco) release on consoles & then work do a proper port with all the options/bug fixes/steam etc. All this will accomplish is ppl blaming from for bamco's decision(see this topic) & possibly give a bump in sales for double dippers/pc only gamers. This content should have been worked on by the full team & be a proper expansion put out in aug/sept while some other team bamco hired builds a proper pc version for winter/next spring so from can get on with next gen souls(preferably containing more king's field/shadow tower influences & called dread king souls).

 

[The Artificially Prolonged]

This dies bound well for From Software. Alot of PC gamers will pick apart buggy games, especially if problems are ported over from consoles which could be solved by virtue of the better hardware PC. This has me worried From Software showed that it is worthwhile to support the PC platform but something like this could turn around and bite them badly.

 

[Evilsanta]

I give them massive kudos for actully saying they are sorry that the game will have the same issues as the console versions.

I will still get it though, because I love Dark Souls and some drop in framerate ain't gonna stop me from kicking Fatboy and Slims asses.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Pfft, the bugs were never that big an issue anyway.

The frame rate drop in Blighttown wasn't that bad.

Annoying, but not a game breaker.

 

[Vivi22]

That's not a good decision on their part.

Let's be honest here. It probably wasn't their decision. I'd bet if they were getting the time and money from the publisher to do it they could probably get this stuff figured out and at least fix some of the issues. Or at the very least, possibly contract a company with some experience porting between consoles and PC to help with the optimization. The decision not to sounds more like publisher mandate to me.

 

[Seydaman]

I'm glad they admitted that they were struggling. I'm still going to get it anyways, a few bugs and a bit of lag never stopped me from enjoying a good game. A lying and greedy developer does.

What he said. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Seydaman]

Pfft, the bugs were never that big an issue anyway.

The frame rate drop in Blighttown wasn't that bad.

Annoying, but not a game breaker.

Yea, I never had much issue, I just angled the camera a bit and was fine.