PSU talks with Free Radical - Haze and Timesplitters 4
- Posted November 29th, 2007 at 05:28 EDT by
- 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)
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Comments
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IRONMAIDEN
- 1:45am EST - 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
- 2:05am EST - 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
- 2:57am EST - 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
- 4:05am EST - 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
- 5:12am EST - 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
- 5:28am EST - 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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Lozt_again
- 6:35am EST - 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
- 8:25am EST - 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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