UTIII Update: PC version confirmed for Nov 23. PS3 version - no telling. 360 version - not even started

[Queasy]

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Epic hasn't even started on the 360 version of Unreal Tournament III yet, reveals company VP Mark Rein. He says Epic intends to finish the PS3 version before shifting focus to 360 "early next year", when we were originally expecting it to be released.

It seems Xbox 360 fans will have to wait a lot longer for their deathmatch action due to issues with running user-created mods on the platform.

In Rein's words: "The PS3 is an open system, and they embrace user-created content. But there isn't really a way to do that on the 360."

The PS3 version of UT III will be fully compatible with user-created mods made for the PC version - something that, according to Rein, isn't as easy to pull off on 360.

"So our job, when we finish the PS3 version, and we've taken a little break, is to sit down with Microsoft and to figure out how we can do mods on their system," he told Wired.

We asked Rein himself at E3 earlier this year about how the 360 version was coming along and, while we're not sure whether he misunderstood us or if he dodged the question, he said: "Unreal Engine 3 is a better engine today on Xbox 360 than it was a year ago and part of that is because of what we've done on PlayStation 3 with UT and the things we're doing with Gears of War on PC.

"So yeah," he added, "the engine's improved a lot since we shipped Gears of War and when we bring out the Xbox 360 version [of UT III] you'll see that."

Nowhere does he say UT III is running well on 360. Just the Unreal Engine.

Elsewhere, Rein confirmed that the PS3 version of the game will boast an install option, which will store around 3.5GB of commonly used data to the PS3 hard drive to greatly speed up load times. Plus, changes to the user interface will make options on the PS3 version easier to browse than that of the PC version, which has been criticised for its awkwardness.

The PS3 release date is still up in the air. Word got out that the game could be pushed back to early next year, but Rein remains optimistic of a pre-Christmas release.

The PC version will be out on November 23 either way.

 

[Aikouka]

The PC version's menus felt more like they belonged on a console rather than a PC... so no need to change them 😛.

 

[blurredvision]

UT3 is such a fast-pased shooter that I couldn't imagine using a controller to play it. That's why Halo 3 works so well with a controller is because it's slower paced. UT3 is way off my radar right now, I could care less when it's released on any platform.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

wow wtf they said early next year before. They haven't even started it yet? lol. GG Epic. That means it'll probably be a rushed lousy port anyway.

 

[RaiderJ]

I take it there isn't any single player on UTIII?

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
I take it there isn't any single player on UTIII?

I thought there was because Epic added some sort of story. But if Tribes: Vengeance is any sort of idea of what happens when you add SP to a MP game, I think I'm a bit skeptical.

 

[Oyeve]

I was always planning on getting UT3 on the pc I didnt even consider it for any of my consoles. 🙂

 

[EvilComputer92]

I cannot imagine playing a game like UT3 on a controller. I'm getting this for the PC.

 

[gi0rgi0]

Epic rules!!!! Im getting both pc and ps3 versions!

 

[onlyCOpunk]

This makes the PS3 version my chosen platform I think. Especially if I can hook up my keyboard and mouse via USB and play through that. Unless of course I somehow manage to have a PC by then that can play the game.

 

[Queasy]

Well, this is weird. The article says the 360 version hasn't even been started on according to Mark Rein but Epic demoed UTIII on the 360 earlier this year.

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Time to get bloody. Ushering us into a room laden with linked Xbox 360s, Morris and Polge invite us to sit and take part in some serious multiplayer action. We happily oblige.

The playtest kicks off inside (and out) a giant wheel-shaped space station. What strikes us like a bolt of lightening seeking out a hairdryer is that the already staggering Unreal Engine 3 ? so impressive in Gears of War ? has been tweaked to even greater levels of visual excellence and performance.

Heading outside into the zero gravity void, we hop from one end of the station?s hulking framework of knotted metal to the other, while spitting out bullets at our floating foes. The transition from outdoors to indoors is seamless, with the unceasing action never compromised as we power through the level, jousting in intense battles with our fellow combatants.

Perhaps even more impressive is the sheer quality of the AI bots. Strafing, jumping, switching weapons and shooting with lifelike degrees of accuracy, these computer-controlled enemies are practically indistinguishable from our human opponents. ?We?ve put a large focus on AI, because a large percentage of people who bought our previous products never went online,? explains Morris, as we battle one of the bots in a bouncing, low-gravity rocket launcher duel. ?Our AI is trying to simulate a 14-year-old kid who?s trying to exploit you on their high-school LAN. We?ve got some really challenging bots, both for the newcomer and for veterans of multiplayer games.?

As if to further showcase the quality of UTIII?s AI, we play a team game alongside bots. Issuing them with barked orders through our mics, we watch them follow their instructions to the letter before intelligently reporting their current status in minute detail.

While many other shooters have just one function per weapon, all of UTIII ?s 12 weapons will boast at least two firing modes, while some will even have a whopping three functions.

Starting off with a basic assault rifle, you?ll soon find yourself carrying some serious firepower including a Flak Cannon, Rocket Launcher (with an attached grenade launcher) and a mini-gun which will allow you to pin your hapless victims to walls with shards of Tarydium.

 

[BD2003]

My understanding is that it isnt a technical problem, its that MS is not going to allow free DLC like mods and total conversions when theyre quite used to selling horse armor for $5.

 

[DivideBYZero]

PC FTW

 

[Inspector Jihad]

there is mouse and keyboard support on ps3.