PSU talks with Free Radical - Haze and Timesplitters 4
- Posted November 29th, 2007 at 05:28 EDT by
- 12,193 views
- 39 Comments
Since our last interview with Free Radical, we were absolutely inundated with additional questions from our readers wanting to know more! So naturally we were delighted to have a second opportunity to try to feed their insatiable desire for more Haze and TimeSplitters 4 information.
We'd like to thank Rob Yescombe and Derek Littlewood for joining us for the pleasant surprise that is “PSU interviews Free Radical Part 2."
PSU: What are your thoughts on Haze being a system mover for the PlayStation 3? With a slew of multiplatform FPS titles coming, how will Haze (a PS3 exclusive) entice gamers to buy a PS3 over anything else?
Rob Yescombe: Well, with four-player hot-swap co-op, the Nectar gameplay system, two unique factions with totally different skills and abilities, as well as the 16-player multiplayer story maps, we’ve got a top notch package that’s going to make it an extremely worthy investment. Ultimately, our focus has been on replay value. If we’re hoping that people will buy the game and/or a PS3, we want to make sure they feel like they’re getting value for money.
PSU: Do you think that Blu-ray is a necessity for next gen gaming and will developers require Blu-ray size storage for games in the future if they don't already?
Derek Littlewood: It's clearly not a necessity, but it's an extremely useful asset. As hardware matures you always see an increase in the scale and ambition of games being developed for it, as developers get to grips with their new engines and toolsets, and that increased scale and ambition equates to an increased amount of content. So I think that as the PS3 matures, you'll see developers relying on Blu-ray to an increasing degree.
PSU: Why do you think multiplatform developers choose not to utilize the extra storage capacity on the PS3 for their games and add extra content? If the space is there why not use it?
Derek: It's not really as simple as just 'using' the space. Art, animation and audio assets for PS3 games take an enormous amount of time and money to create, and it's not like most developers have a box of additional levels they can just add onto their games at the eleventh hour. If you're developing specifically for the PS3 the additional capacity is a definite benefit, but if you're developing cross platform it's not usually so easy to just add extra stuff.
PSU: What was the reason behind dropping development on the Xbox 360 and PC?
Derek: From a development point of view, exclusive development is attractive because you can really focus on getting the best out of just one platform, rather than always needing to split your efforts across multiple versions of the game. And this is why exclusive PS3 development has been so useful to us, as the entire team has been able to work very closely with the PS3 hardware.
As for why the PS3 was our platform of choice, the company has a history of getting good results out of PlayStation hardware from our days working on the PS2, but also, out of the three platforms, the PS3 is still the youngest and so represented the best opportunity for us to get a game out into an uncrowded market where it was likely to get the best recognition.
PSU: Do you have plans to support Haze further with downloadable content?
Derek: We'd like to - I can't comment any further at this stage though, I'm afraid.
PSU: Will Haze have dedicated servers for multiplayer?
Derek: I can't comment on that at this stage, sorry.
PSU: Will Haze support clans, buddy lists, and parties? What kind of customizable options will be available for these?
Derek: Yes, we're supporting friends lists and parties, and you'll be able to do things like sending in-game invites to your friends if you want them to drop into your coop or multiplayer game. I can't really talk anymore about multiplayer options at this stage though, I'm afraid.
PSU: Have you hit any technical roofs with the PS3 hardware during development ... (continued on next page)
Comments
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IRONMAIDEN
- 6:45am GMT - November 29th, 2007
- 2
this looks good. i like the different stuff like the nectar and how u can use it against your enemies.
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Vaughn |
undacovabrothe- 7:05am GMT - November 29th, 2007
- 3
... Still totally mixed on this game. I believe they messed up the opportunity for the ppl who were undecided on the game to get it. They just delayed the game to where killzone may release they better hope killzone gets delayed if not they will have troulbe getting this recognition if it has mixed reviews.
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FantasyStar |
Tirin- 7:57am GMT - November 29th, 2007
- 7
I loved the comment on Halo 3. It was purely critical to Halo 3 and at this time, it is funny. Suck it Halo 3! damn your black bars!
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LiQuiFiedArt |
LiQuiZoN- 9:05am GMT - November 29th, 2007
- 9
Delay it all u want, But I Demand a HIGH PROFILE, HIGH QUALITY PRODUCT. USE THOSE DAMN SPUS. UNTIL THEY BLEED.
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zarajoe
- 10:12am GMT - November 29th, 2007
- 12
Why is it that so far almost every interview I have read on this site has been almost exclusively about the ps3 hardware, lik there constantly trying to show how powerful the ps3 is. Seriously I could not care less about how difficult the game was to develop or how much resources the game uses up. Why don't the interviews be more about the games, like gameplay, storyline, etc and less on the hardware.
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D3v1lwqer23 |
French- 10:28am GMT - November 29th, 2007
- 15
Buy Haze? And TimeSplitters??? Release them and stop delaying them because your Q-4 07 Earnings were high and I would have, "I'M AFRAID".
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Promethius30 |
Tealcsg1- 10:33am GMT - November 29th, 2007
- 16
I cant wait to get haze should be gsame
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Lozt_again |
Lozt_again- 11:35am GMT - November 29th, 2007
- 17
They have a good philosophy on development for the PS3.
"As for why the PS3 was our platform of choice, the company has a history of getting good results out of PlayStation hardware from our days working on the PS2, but also, out of the three platforms, the PS3 is still the youngest and so represented the best opportunity for us to get a game out into an uncrowded market where it was likely to get the best recognition."
Wise words.
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Stickemup
- 1:25pm GMT - November 29th, 2007
- 20
Yeah we're realy blessed to have Haze exlcusive. That's actually thanks to Halo 3. I remember the announcment for exclusivity came a few weeks before Halo. It will be very recognized on the PS3. Hopefully it will be our Halo 3. It's looking like it. On another note, I too thought the delay sucked but on second thought it was a blessing in disguise because Unreal is coming and we wouldn't want them to compete against each other. So by the time the Unreal buzz dies down a little, Haze will give us another dose of greatness.
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Sunshine_Killer |
SunshineKiller- 2:18pm GMT - November 29th, 2007
- 22
i want to buy it to help fix your roof but its not out yet :(
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cell989
- 2:57pm GMT - November 29th, 2007
- 25
At first I was really hyped about this game, then it kind off washed off with all the other great games that have come out, Call Of Duty 4 been the main culprit, but now I am definately going to get this game, it really is something different in a crowded genre, what attracts me the most about this game is the multiplayer package, 4 player co op is at least a perk that Call Of Duty doesnt have,and that alone says alot.
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JMelillo57 |
jmelillo57- 4:15pm GMT - November 29th, 2007
- 26
I can't wait for Timesplitters. My friend and I wasted many hours in the co-op mode for Timesplitters 2.
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Gen.Penguin
- 3:04pm GMT - November 30th, 2007
- 32
it amazes me how good of a game timesplitters is. because every friend i have who i've told about it and had them play were instant fans.
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gosmoekashotgun101
- 11:32pm GMT - November 30th, 2007
- 33
Dude justin your really not helping the ps3 here... your articles are always really dumb. No offence but i have learned nothing new from this article I didnt allready know about haze. My point is if haze is a flop where all in alotta trouble I meen I just wasted 600 bucks on the 60 gig moddle. If sony doesnt sell anough games there not making there buck and as of right now things are looking very slim iam not gonna lie.. I honestly havent seen enough on this game to make a call on it being a hit its weird how slim the detials on it are lately. Maybe xbox fan boys are making me paranoid but I just dont trust Sony to much right now...
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Lonflobber
- 1:13am GMT - December 3rd, 2007
- 35
I hadn't realized that Haze was a PS3 exclusive - that's very exciting.
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DARKBLADE1 |
DARKBLADE2- 12:51pm GMT - December 3rd, 2007
- 36
I already have CoD 4, but idk if I should get haze, and also unreal tourament. is anyone getting all 3?
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tommyboi-uk-1992
- 3:53pm GMT - December 3rd, 2007
- 37
gonna get em both i love timsplitters :) i love the monkeys haha
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bluemonkeypet |
sponge-man- 12:12pm GMT - January 6th, 2008
- 39
I hope it is actually going to be a great game because all the hype and all the delayes it better be good, the story line seems brilliant and the idea of nectar it so clever and they use it all the time in the game to help you.
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