Queasy
Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Link - Sorry, couldn't resist. 🙂 Though, I didn't realize that a PS3 devkit was so freaking expensive - $10k+. Yikes.
In a bid to stimulate software production, Sony has released a new PS3 development kit that is markedly less expensive than previous models.
The newly-released DECR-1400A debugging Reference Tool today costs $2,000 in North America and just over £1,500 for European studios. Previous development kits were priced at over $10,000. Japan will be getting a new model too, the DECR-1400J, which will set developers back some ¥200,000.
?Having the same form factor as the commercially available PS3, the new Reference Tool models allow advanced game programming and more efficient computer graphics rendering,? said Sony, adding that the new model will help to provide a ?more streamlined game development environment.?
As well as this, Sony is also promising a new range software tools (aided with ?enhanced? technical support), as well as an optimised PS3 compiler, and additional documentation for Sony?s PhyreEngine graphics-rendering engine.
The announcement appears to be a declaration of commitment from Sony towards its thirdparty partners. SCE itself will have its internal studios support the PS3 for ten years, as the company famously stated, yet a large number of thirdparty titles are being released for the Xbox 360 first, while Microsoft?s machine is also often the lead platform in multiplatform development.
?SCE will deploy various measures to further reinforce game development for PS3,? the company said, ?and will continue to expand the platform to offer attractive interactive entertainment experiences only available on PS3.?