Posted Jul 20, 2007 at 07:24PM by Ceasar S. Listed in: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Games for Windows Tags: Epic Games, Microsoft, Live Anywhere, Sony, Mark Rein
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This could probably be old news to cult followers behind Unreal Tournament since it released back in 1998 (Game of the Year by 1999). But just in case there are still people hoping for console first-person shooters to tag along with seamless online Unreal Tournament III (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Mac) play on PC, we thought this might interest you.

Epic Games to look into PS3, PC cross-platform multiplay - Image 1 


Lurking around the official Unreal Tournament III forums, we've found that Mark Rein himself stated that they will be looking into what the PlayStation 3's open-network technology and the PC's already-established networking capabilities could add up to:

We have not decided about cross platform play between PC and PS3. We're not 100% sure that users want that feature but if we get time we'll play around with it and see how it works. In the mean time we plan to be able to serve the PS3 from PC servers so that should help us gets lots of great servers going.


Unreal Tournament Classic, UTGOTYE, UT2003 and UT2004 have all been hosted upon various dedicated servers around the world, and thanks to the Sony's open-network infrastructure for the PlayStation 3, fans on the console won't run out of servers to join online. 24/7 coverage, while amazing, may not even cover half of the Sony camp's excitement over this development.

The question of whether these servers will be viewable on PC gamers' server lists is still left unanswered, while concern for accidentally joining a match for PlayStation 3 players still looms over the horizon. If Epic does pull through with PS3-PC play, such a case would no longer be an issue. They might have to resort to control balancing issues instead, which will likely spark from the PS3's control handicap - a viable aimbot that's considered cheating to professional UT players.

From here on end, however, things look bleak for the Xbox 360, as Epic Games reiterated that Unreal Tournament III will not utilize Games for Windows LIVE for obvious reasons and critical repercussions that could stem from the loyal PC gaming community.

If Microsoft and FASA Studios' Shadowrun was any indication of cross-platform play between PC and Microsoft's next-gen console, things may not be 'going anywhere' for the Live Anywhere initiative - at least in the PC gamers' perspective.


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5 Comments


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   by Fiberwire (Unregistered) - 2007-07-20
 » hackers

the only thing about cross-platform is that they should work on making the PC version 100% hacker-proof. because PS3 gamers wouldn't stand a snowball's chance in hell, what with their mouse and keyboard + hacks. but there would be alot of people to play with if they did include cross-platform which would be good for us.

   by Shatterdome - 2007-07-21
 » Should be possible...

If both games have the exact same assets, then they just have to allow ps3 to connect to PC hosts.

The problem of consoles getting an "aimbot" can be overcome by forcing people to use mouse and keyboard if they want to play against PC users, and turn off the aiming assitance....otherwise, you have to stick to PS3 vs PS3...

I think live anywhere for pc + 360 is dumb....it's main attraction was when they said you could play XBLA games on your cellphone/mobile device and "pause" and resume playing on your 360 and vice versa.....which is no where in sight, but supposedly "still comming"....

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   by Cecil (Unregistered) - 2007-07-21
 » Live No where

Yeh, this whole live anywhere thing is nothing but a gimmick... Its pointless.

I guess this is an example where the online platform of PSN vs Live truely shines... You can't beat an open-system... developers can do what they want and how they want to do it.

I love Xbox Live... But i think this time, Sony got it right. Free - open - no restrictions.

UT3 will be for my PS3.. my 360 well, that'll have to miss out... Meh, i'll have bioshock then so meh .. :)


   Re: andrewsqual (Unregistered) - 2007-07-21
 » Duudddeee!!!!

It is so nice to see somebody easy going on QJ. Thank you for a positive and non flaming comment.

   Re: Shatterdome - 2007-07-21
 » Yup

Even if 360 has the better looking game somehow, the pure modability of UT3 on PS3 will be a huge advantage...

I'm curious to see if they build the map editor right into the game, or if you have to use the one on PC and transfer the maps over.

Also, i've done lot's of maps in Hammer, for the source engine and am wondering if anyone who has mapped for Unreal knows if it is similar ?

I loved source for the ability to prop up doors or platforms with breakable materials....put a few cars on top and make that area a key focal point...then if anyone is underneath and you shoot out the supports the cars fall on 'em...wonder if that type of stuff will be doable in Unreal 3......if not, I hope that HL2 comes with a map editor...then PS3 will have some major advantages. I put alot of "traps" in maps of mine, and even made a fairly realistic breakable building in Hammer...but the limited physics capabilities of computers make them slow/buggy....but on PS3 it shouldn't be a problem....but ya, that's not even this game so I will stop rambling :P


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