Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SCEWW) president Phil Harrison has conceded that the company did not provide developer Epic with sufficient help whilst preparing the Unreal Engine 3 for use with PlayStation 3, later assuring that the situation has been addressed accordingly.
"If we’re honest, we didn’t do enough of a good job supporting them and getting them the tools and technology early enough”, said Harrison, in an interview with US publication Game Informer. "Also, Epic isn’t a huge company. They don’t have unlimited resource. We have parachuted in some of our SWAT team of super engineers to help them. Specifically, to optimise for SPUs, which are the point of difference that the Cell Processor has."
Additionally, Harrison also touched on the benefits it would bring for developers working on both PlayStation 3 exclusive software or multiplatform titles, adding, "The benefits that it yields to end developers, whether they’re writing exclusive titles or multiplatform titles, is that the performance on PS3 goes up exponentially – and it will make for a much better game experience.”
The upcoming Unreal Tournament 3 will be released for PlayStation 3 and PC as a timed exclusive later this year, with the Xbox 360 due in 2008.