Valve Explains Lack of PlayStation 3 Support

[Geoffrey42]

[sarcasm]
Why are Level-5 so f'ing lazy? I don't own a DS, but I hate them for not making that game available on XBOX Live/Steam/PSN/Virtual Console/PSP. Those lazy jerks are such... lazy... jerks.

Wanh, wanh, wanh, wannnnhhhhh.
[/sarcasm]

The only external (non-inferred/assumed) difference between Valve and LEVEL-5 in this case is that Valve had the misfortune of being pressed on the issue, and responding.

Isn't LEVEL-5 a Sony-owned company? I'm not sure as all I know is that they made the Dark Cloud games and they're making the White Knight Chronicles game aren't they?

They've worked closely with Sony most of their existence, but more recently worked with Nintendo putting out Professor Layton and the... series of games. But, they refuse to put Professor Layton on a platform I own, so I hate them, because they're obviously lazy jerks. Essentially though, they're independent developers who have thus far been published by SCE and Ninty.

Name three other game companies that aren't owned my Microsoft or Nintendo that don't develop for Sony, and besides, the fat joke was that, a joke! He wasn't saying that that was a legitimate criticism, in fact, he said sarcasm aside after that, he was kidding.

People don't say Valve are lazy because those people have extensive programming experience and know exactly how hard it is, they say it because so many developers do make games for the Ps3, so Valve is technically lazier than them in that sense.

As a final point, I don't really care about Valve, the Half Life series frankly bores me and I have only really enjoyed Portal by them.

Not that I want to defend his point about needing to be a developer to make a reasonable criticism (as both sides have pointed out, using other developer's statements as proxies for our own experience is just fine), but in regards to developers that aren't Microsoft or Nintendo subsidiaries that don't develop for the PS3:
Gas Powered Games
Stardock (and, by association, Ironclad Games)
Relic

"Technically lazier"? Is Sucker Punch "technically lazier", just because they choose to focus on one platform, even if they're not owned by Sony? No, at least, in my opinion. They're smarter for not wasting development resources on cross-platform issues.

To be fair, my position on this is not entirely unbiased. You see, I own all 4 current-gen non-portable platforms, and I prefer platform exclusives. No BS about certain content being exclusive to one console or another, no irritating compromises or hacks so that the control scheme works on all platforms (I'm looking at you, PC ports of console games). No anxiety about picking "the right one". There is only one, and its the right one, and I get to enjoy it on the platform it was designed for from the ground up. At least with Valve and their barely-multi-platform strategy, I know exactly which one is the right one.

 

[yzzlthtz]

i don't know - i liked the orange box for the ps3. i didn't have any problems with it, really, just some minor hiccups in half life. i think people blow these things way out of proportion - and shame on them, since they have apparently deterred valve from developing on my platform of choice.

 

[L.B. Jeffries]

Um, I own Orange Box and L4D for 360 and they're both treated like stepchildren. I don't get TF2 updates, I don't get L4D level editing, I don't get HL2 mods.

You should always buy the PC version for a Valve game. Always.

 

[Geoffrey42]

By all rights, one could say that, certainly. However, the curious thing is, you don't see Sucker Punch coming out of their cave, once or twice a year, making up new stories about their choice to focus on one platform. In fact, I believe, when asked, they said the exact same thing you did...wasting time on cross-platform, when maximizing on one, is better. No simpering idiots, making flamebait statements, just plain 'We do it this way', and they did so, without even knocking any of the competition. Developers...acting like adults. It's amazing.

Newell, as a person, made a statement. Valve has, ever since, been trying to make up for it. And EVEN then, as I said before, I can't find fault with what Newell said.

And, as far as "flamebait" goes... if someone makes an honest statement, and other people flame it, it is not INHERENTLY the stater's fault. Some people say things for the PURPOSE of causing flames. We call these people "trolls". My impression of Newell is not that he was trolling. He seemed to be stating his honest opinion. One that has yet to be disproved (even if it has not proven true). Much as you shouldn't blame allergens for causing allergies (they initiate a reaction, the allergy itself is a pre-existing condition to the allergen), you shouldn't blame Newell or Valve for people getting bent out of shape.

And seriously, coming out of their cave? PEOPLE KEEP ASKING VALVE ABOUT THIS SUBJECT, and Valve has no choice but to keep answering it, in a complete lose-lose situation. They are not making a press release every few weeks for kicks. But each time, people get disproportionately out of shape over something one guy said previously, no matter how reasonable the answer Valve gives currently. To me, Tom Leonard's previous comment, and Lombardi's new comment, are both possibly facets of the same, consistent answer.

What I think people refuse to acknowledge is that they are choosing to remain angry about this subject, because it is fodder for their console-preference-battle. Much the way that I choose to be angry about [a href=http://xkcd.com/386/]idiots on the internet[/a], when my blood pressure would do much better if I just let it go.

EDIT: I didn't see this until after I posted, but here is a classic example of flamebait, followed by classic counter-flamebait. Two statements that are completely against one another, and neither one with any grounding in an objective reality:

the PS3 is realy the inferior system if you think about it otherwise valve would have been able to make the same exact content on it as the 360 and PC

Or they're lazy. Yeah, lazy seems more likely.

Look, the system with The Last Guardian is the superior system. There's no pussyfooting around that, if Team Ico is making games for it it is better than all others. Valve refusing to actually learn something new shows something about them rather than the Ps3.

 

[bue519]

Oh just get a PC you whiner PS3 owners you.

I have a pc, and a ps3. :0
But it is true, and real valve game would play their games on a pc. Free Downloadable campaigns FTW!!!!

 

[bue519]

valve also needs to hurry up with the DLC for TF2 on the 360 they talked about it like two years ago and its still not done

Maybe cause the 360 is an "inferior system?* GASP!!!!!

 

[Geoffrey42]

Technical issues flow down, not up. A game designed for a more powerful system will be logistically unable to work on an inferior one, but the reverse does not hold true. And if you try, then the results will either be reducing the scope of the game, or crippling it horribly (we don't want a repeat of Dead Rising: Chop Til You Drop)

This can be true of a "more powerful system" which shares a similar architecture, but it is not universally true when dealing with different architectures. Even then, something optimized for a more powerful system may "work" on an inferior one, it just may not work as well. Even Valve, whose development machines are like [a href=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=208959]this[/a], have an engine which is renowned for scaling well on inferior machines.

 

[bue519]

Um, I own Orange Box and L4D for 360 and they're both treated like stepchildren. I don't get TF2 updates, I don't get L4D level editing, I don't get HL2 mods.

You should always buy the PC version for a Valve game. Always.

Yeah, buying PC games for the 360 is like asking to get punched in the nuts. No you don't get an SDK and you usually have to wait longer for patches or DLC.

 

[HyenaThePirate]

"Technically lazier"? Is Sucker Punch "technically lazier", just because they choose to focus on one platform, even if they're not owned by Sony? No, at least, in my opinion. They're smarter for not wasting development resources on cross-platform issues.

By all rights, one could say that, certainly. However, the curious thing is, you don't see Sucker Punch coming out of their cave, once or twice a year, making up new stories about their choice to focus on one platform. In fact, I believe, when asked, they said the exact same thing you did...wasting time on cross-platform, when maximizing on one, is better. No simpering idiots, making flamebait statements, just plain 'We do it this way', and they did so, without even knocking any of the competition. Developers...acting like adults. It's amazing.


Morne

Why is it that if one company, when repeatedly asked about it, gives a statement to explain why they don't want to make games for the PS3 considered "making up stories?". The reasons given have ALWAYS been legitimate, from a business sense whether you like it or not. If they think it's too complicated or difficult to waste their time and resources developing for, then THAT IS THEIR OPINION AND BUSINESS DECISION. Sorry, end of story, thats all there is to it. Complaining and tossing around accusations about individuals in the company while spinning little hate-theories is a.) not going to change their minds and b.) make their decision any less valid.

YOU may not think it's a waste of time, but THEY, who do look at their marketing, tables, demographics, staff, budget, and elements of expertise have made a carefully calculated decision from THEIR stance. Why is it so important to people that Valve make PS3 games? Is this the missing link to Sony's Console success? If Valve reverses their decision and decides to start creating or porting games to the PS3, will it redeem the console in the eyes of the world and will PS3 owners en masse flock to buy every game they make, regardless of the game's quality?

I agree with a poster up above who made the comment that he has all four gaming platforms, because so do I. I have 360, wii, PS3, and a PC desktop AND my gaming laptop. I play games. It's what I do for fun. I don't really care about who makes them, for what system, and why. All I care about is the next adventure, having a quality game, and having fun.
I like Valve games and I have no problem buying them on the PC, since I prefer that platform for my shooters and RTS games over all others. When I heard Final Fantasy XIII was coming to the xbox 360 I didn't break down into tears and cut myself. Who CARES if Square decided to go multi platform with their juggernaut Final Fantasy game? As long as I can play it, I could care LESS about their business decisions other than them announcing they are going to Cancel the game outright.

Thats why this news is just flame bait for fanboys. Because people use it as an excuse to go on a flag-waving tirade in support of their favorite system that they perceive as being "superior", when the reality is as long as the games are fun and innovative it doesn't MATTER what system it's on. I own consoles to play games, not to show my personal devotion to a specific game company.

I'm far too mature for that.

Edit:

I'll blame whomever I desire, thanks. If companies want to make statements, that increasingly backtrack from their original, because their prediction of PS3 demise isn't going so well, they deserve all the vehemence the internet has to offer. Stick by your words, or don't make fallacious statements in the name of the company you work for.

That is you're prerogative and opinion and you are welcome to it.
But it does not make you right, superior, or even valid.
You can blame whomever you desire, and Valve can make whatever statement they feel is valid and your statements will never supercede theirs because THEY are the ones who were asked (nobody solicited your opinion of their opinion) and THEY are the ones in the business of making games, while YOU are in the business of being an end-user who potentially may or may not PLAY those games.
Don't like it? Don't play valve games.
But bitching about their decision gets you nothing unless you are willing to swear that you and everyone you know will buy each and every valve title they release on the PS3 regardless of quality.

 

[Geoffrey42]

Right, because "evolving gaming" requires game developers spend all of their time learning a new engine, or a new platform, instead of innovating with gameplay. That stuff that actually matters in the long run, as opposed to, ya know, the number of sprites on screen at once.

*glances to his left*
*glances to his right*
*gets disproportionately bent out of shape over a stupid internet argument, picks up his toys, and goes home*

 

[HyenaThePirate]

Most companies don't choose to continue to make statements on things they've already made statements regarding. Even moreso, most companies don't make a statement, then make a completely different statement, then, again, make a completely different statement. Attempting to sugar coat, said first statement.

1. Companies can choose to answer whatever questions are posed to them in any way they see fit. They were Asked. Nobody asked YOU for your opinion, but apparently people are heavily interested in Valve's and Gabe's.

2. Their responses have all made good business sense. Just because you didn't LIKE the response or felt offended because the response didn't jive with your belief that the PS3 is the greatest thing since sliced bread, doesn't make them stupid or invalid. I dont see their statements as even being very different. The system is difficult to program for, it's not cost effective for them to do so, they don't believe anything is to be gained from trying. That is a basic summary of EVERY statement they've made, and all of them can be tied together to come to the SAME conclusion: IT IS NOT WORTH IT, WE WON'T PUT IN THE EFFORT.

3. If you are tired of their 'excuses', then I suggest you stop READING them in order to avoid high blood pressure.

And who's talking about FF? Last I checked, Square's still putting that out on the PS3. Who cares? At least they're using a new engine, whereas, Valve's been milking the same hunk of shit, for what 7 years now? LoL.

It's called an example. Apparently you are unfamiliar with the concept.
Also, I care, because I'm interested in which version will have the better gaming experience i.e. quality. Square's new engine sounds swanky, but if it works like crap on the 360, I will get the PS3 version. See, those of us who don't have some inexplicable loyalty to a specific brand or console tend to concern ourselves with things like that.
And I like Valve's engine, that 7 year old hunk of shit has produced some fun, fun games. I'm sorry you missed them while you were pouting over Gabe's latest comments.

And again man, your reading comprehension is just about the worst I've ever seen. Where'd I say they should make games for the PS3? I merely detest their flip-flopping in their interviews/news releases.

My mistake. I took all your crying and whining as having some sort of point or desire to see valve's games on the PS3.
I now know all you wanted was an opportunity to ***** to anyone foolish enough to pay attention.

Just shut the fuck up already, we get it, you don't like going out of your way to evolve gaming. Simply keep the same stagnating source engine in circulation for 7 years, and milk every penny you can out of it.

Morne

No thanks, I'll keep sharing my opinion, just like you, except mine won't be saturated in immature, childish high-school fanboy nonsense without purpose. I'm mature enough to understand BUSINESS and own enough consoles so that I don't have to get my panties in a knot every time some company decides to nix production of a game on one of them. By the way, nice attempt at suggesting the 'evolutionary superiority' of the PS3 without being open and honest about it. Apparently, you've been studying at the Gabe Newell school of subversive comments.

 

[Alarid]

It is easy for them to design for the XBox as compared to the PS3. The 360 has similar programming to that of a computer, so it is easier to port.

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

To be honest, it is what it is. They also don't create games for the Wii, but Wii owners got over it. There was not necessarily anything for me to get over because I had a gaming PC for some time now, but whatever.

And now to enjoy the flames that shall come. Going to get Marshmallows to roast!

I like Waffles. I got the golden/Maple syrup right here.

Can I just make the forum in general aware that I really hate the term 'butthurt'

I second that. It's just very 'GameTrailers (A.K.A. FlameWars)'.