Why ModNation Racers is only capable on the PS3
- Posted March 17th, 2010 at 18:26 EDT by Adam Dolge
- 34 Comments
With the recent revelation that ModNation Racers will feature four-player split screen, we wanted to ask the development team if we should expect a lack in frame rates or gameplay lag. As it turns out, the PlayStation 3 hardware will allow for fluid graphics and gameplay during four-player split screen sessions, with only very minor draw delays. But, there are more reasons as to why United Front Games partnered with Sony when it started looking for a publisher for its quirky kart racing game.
One of the biggest advantages to working with Sony is that the PlayStation Network is free and the servers are built in a way that it allows for direct sharing. We recently spoke with Dan Sochan, a producer from United Front Games who is working on ModNation Racers.
“The PS3 hardware is very powerful,” Sochan says. “Since it has a built in hard drive, we know everyone will have it and they can save a lot of content. We created a file system that keeps tracks small (only a couple of kilobytes) and the transfer time is very minimal. We wouldn’t be able to build a community like this on the Xbox Live. Everyone can get involved because the PSN is free, and with Sony’s servers you can do direct sharing.”
Their discussions about ModNation Racers began prior to Sony coining the “Play, Create, Share” idea. Sony was still working with Media Molecule on LittleBigPlanet, and since both games shared the level creation and sharing ideals, it seemed a logical partnership, Sochan explains.
“We wanted to create a racing game that didn’t have to be hindered by reality,” he tells us. “When we looked for a partner to work with, we spoke with Sony. We realized they had the same exact vision as we did.”
Beyond the ideological similarities, Sochan said the PS3 hardware made a lot of sense for a game like ModNation Racers.
We’ll have more on our interview with Dan Sochan. Look for ModNation Racers to hit retailers this May.
Email
Related Content
Comments
-
-
Alpha2
- 2:52pm EDT - March 17th, 2010
- 2
Awesome in light of the people crowing about how the Rockband Network was only possible on xbox, despite the fact that all they did was use the XNA development tools to make the tracking application. And this will end up being a lot more fun because anyone can make a level and actually have it work well with a minimum of tweaking.
-
-
KaiserPsymon
- 3:09pm EDT - March 17th, 2010
- 4
if this game plays like mario cart then my drunken nights will finally be complete!
-
AZTwiztidJuggla
- 3:31pm EDT - March 17th, 2010
- 5
loved the beta with all its limitations. Cannot wait until the full game releases.
-
-
5_Minutes_of_Funk
- 3:44pm EDT - March 17th, 2010
- 7
I will be buying. This game stole the show for mee at E3 09.
But the comments about not being possilbe on XBL........I'm gonna have to ask for a recount.
-
-
-
supamariobrotha
- 5:36pm EDT - March 17th, 2010
- 10
i been wanting to get a wii again but if sony keeps putting out games like this im gonna keep holding off
-
Ocelot1987
- 6:45pm EDT - March 17th, 2010
- 11
Characters look kinda stupid. I think the idea of the game is a good one. Is any PS mascots gonna be in this? Hope it is not all guys that look like lucha libre wrestlers.
-
Ballonboy33
- 6:51pm EDT - March 17th, 2010
- 12
Even tho a few of my m8s said it were crap i havent played it yet and think that id still quite like it. we seriously need more games with this direct sharing thing so theyre only on ps3. far 2 many ppl in my college have crappy xboxs (N)
-
-
-
atletico-n10
- 7:57pm EDT - March 17th, 2010
- 15
4 screens? It already sucks just for one.
Terrible graphics.
-
Fiddlesworth
- 8:41pm EDT - March 17th, 2010
- 16
Pretty sure that should say a couple hundred kilobytes. Still small but it's basically tweaking and fitting together jigsaw pieces from the Blu-ray/HDD.
-
PSX_Legend
- 9:12pm EDT - March 17th, 2010
- 17
Cross game chat + ModNation racers = real fun
but since cross chat is still a wonder i guess the fun will vanish after a while.
-
Muzikguy
- 10:33pm EDT - March 17th, 2010
- 18
@4, I'm hoping for that same thing too LOL
What's with all this nonsense about bad graphics? The game, to me, looks pretty cool. I mean, it's user generated stuff for crying out loud! If the videos I've seen are for real, and it's not like THPS3? (I think that's the one where you could make your own skateparks but verrrry small), then this game should be awesome! I'm starting to look forward to it actually. I hope that with his comments about the PSN that Sony really doesn't change anything. Especially with all their "premium" account talk
-
-
-
Alpha2
- 1:47am EDT - March 18th, 2010
- 21
Anyone talking about bad graphics on this game either just plain hasnt seen it or is a straight up knob. It's a beautiful game. The characters have a base shape which you modify with decals and additional costume items. And the amount of things people created inthe beta just with that alone was immense. Anything from the Joker to a Helgast to Ironman, Mario and a decent looking sonic I remember seeing once. I personally made a Megaman, Protoman and Black suit Spiderman.
The changes from some of the videos seem to suggest were going to get even more road obsticals and crazy weapons. Seriously, anyone that ever enjoyed kart racing games will enjoy this.
-
-
Flopping22
- 10:03am EDT - March 18th, 2010
- 23
I'm so tired of this "can only be done on the PS3 crap" it's really annoy, like the PC doesn't exist or something and I'm pretty sure it can be done on any another console. But the game looking cool though, a buy for me.
-
Dassureth
- 4:22pm EDT - March 18th, 2010
- 24
@23 They are talking about the online content. Since PSN is free and acts like a p2p from what I can catch. Everyone can help make the game run smoother and they are saying's if it was on XBL then it would be choppy/jaggy as expected.
Proof of psn working great for this = warhawk. Warhawk servers were mostly other ps3s, and rarely had lag issues like many online PC games...
-
-
-
iberianpower
- 10:14pm EDT - March 22nd, 2010
- 27
It cant be designed like it is in consoles that dont have a mandatory HDD....its very simple when you think about it.
-
TheTenth666
- 9:36am EDT - March 23rd, 2010
- 28
it's not like the graphics are Uncharted like, so memory can be used for stability
-
ps3fandude
- 11:07am EDT - March 24th, 2010
- 29
i think this game is gonna surprise most people in how great this game will be.
like littlebig planet. i think mod racers is gonna go far
-
-
Nickster800
- 11:30pm EDT - April 3rd, 2010
- 31
I wanna get it, I liked little big planet and I like cart racing games so I'll like this.
-
-
-
rutea7This will permanently ban this user and delete all associated comments. This action is irreversible, are you SURE you want to do this?!
