Author Topic: Why we get so few/such bad ports (Read 2543 times)

jeek · « **on:** April 17, 2003, 02:09:03 AM »

It occured to me that one reason why the PS2 gets games and the Cube doesn't is that the architecture of the PS2 is so weird. Given that the PS2 is ahead in user-base it makes sense for a developer to target the PS2 first.

A game written for the PS2 is likely to take advantage of the PS2's vector units - that's pretty much essential in order to get reasonable performance out of the PS2. Because the PS2 vector units are so flexible any code written for them is going to be very hard to port to a fixed function GPU like the GameCube's. A port to the Xbox is likely to be easier because its programmable vertex shaders are more similar to PS2 vector units than the fixed T&L engine in the GameCube.

If this is a reason why we Cube fans get so so few ports or the few we get are so bad?

Mario · « **Reply #1 on:** April 17, 2003, 02:31:33 AM »

It's ALOT easier for developers to develop a game from the ground up for GC than it is to port a game to GC. And has anyone noticed that no games that come out on GC get ported to other systems? Maybe its just too hard to port FROM GC, i think that might be why we have so many exclusives, like the Capcom 5. Just my two cents...

mouse_clicker · « **Reply #2 on:** April 17, 2003, 03:33:44 AM »

We get so few ports because publishers have this notion that they won't sell on the Gamecube. The ones that DO port their games to our beloved console half-ass it because they don't think the Gamecube version requires much attention. When the half-assed version sells like crap (because it IS crap), the publisher uses that as proof that ports don't sell well on the Gamecube.

BrianSLA · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2003, 04:10:28 PM »

>> And has anyone noticed that no games that come out on GC get ported to other systems? Maybe its just too hard to port FROM GC <<

Ummm.... Godzilla: Destroy all Monsters is getting an upgraded ( Better ) port to the Xbox.

>> It occured to me that one reason why the PS2 gets games and the Cube doesn't is that the architecture of the PS2 is so weird <<

Nope it is just simply that the PS2 has a gagillion and one owners / units out there and the Xbox and GC have only a portion of that. It is as simple as that. IF Gamecube or Xbox were #1..... they would have the most games.

Infernal Monkey · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2003, 04:31:37 PM »

Maybe FMV factors into it too.

The majority of companies are using DVD quality videos these days in their crap-tastic games, and they can be easily be thrown onto a PS2/Xbox game.

GameCube however, requires different coding. It would seem everybody is too bloody lazy to learn Factor 5's DivX GameCube compression... So when we do get a port, it has terrible Mega CD type video. Wreckless? Night Fire? Mmmm, chug-zilla FMV.

Tycoon__ · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2003, 05:06:03 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: BrianSLA
>> And has anyone noticed that no games that come out on GC get ported to other systems? Maybe its just too hard to port FROM GC <<

Ummm.... Godzilla: Destroy all Monsters is getting an upgraded ( Better ) port to the Xbox.

>> It occured to me that one reason why the PS2 gets games and the Cube doesn't is that the architecture of the PS2 is so weird <<

Nope it is just simply that the PS2 has a gagillion and one owners / units out there and the Xbox and GC have only a portion of that. It is as simple as that. IF Gamecube or Xbox were #1..... they would have the most games.

no... the ps2 is such a bihotch to develop... harder tehn n64.

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Author Topic: Why we get so few/such bad ports (Read 2543 times)