Why can't they release the Xbox version first, then the PS2 one?

[Dualist]

Seeing as the Xbox version is almost done, and the time extension is to do things with the PS2, couldn't they just release the Xbox version this year and give PS2 theirs next year?

Kind of like Splinter Cell had. It was a few months on the Xbox, then went multiplatform.

[paramiteabe]

First of all we don't know what they are doing or planning release wise we can't assume anything here. For all we know the PS2 version may be scrapped or not. You don't know that.

[Eriken]

The PS2 version was just announced, and EA games is very adamant about their multiplatform pressence. The chances of the PS2 version being scrapped are no greater than it happening to the Xbox version as long as Oddworld is in league with EA.

[Dualist]

I'm sure Sony has been giving EA money to have all of their published games on the PS2. Becuase there hasn't been any exclusive games from EA on Gamecube or Xbox.

I don't think the Xbox version would be scrapped, so much time and effort put forth into the graphics system would be wasted effort.


Paramite- So this 2005 date is still to be confirmed? Or could Stranger make a 2004 release?

[Sekto Springs]

I don't think the Xbox version would be scrapped, so much time and effort put forth into the graphics system would be wasted effort.

They will not scrap the Xbox version. The future games are meant to be Xbox exclusive and the games they have made so far are specifically for the Xbox. PS2 didn't come along until recently and was never originally in the cards. They would not drop their things and go run onto the PS2, they simply agreed to release it on a Playstation because that's where EA's ties lie.

[Dualist]

So Oddworld is releasing it on thePS2, does that mean Xbox will have the same graphics as the PS2 counterpart? Or they are just dumbing them down to fit the PS2?

[Xavier]

Paramite- So this 2005 date is still to be confirmed? Or could Stranger make a 2004 release?

2005, is the last official word...
My bet is that OWI devlopped for Xbox and somebody at EA reconvert it for PS2

[Wil]

With any luck, the Xbox version will use the full specs of the Xbox as opposed to the quarter which MO used. I don't wish the PlayStation version to have inferior appearance or performance, but I would hate for my own copy to be less than it could be just for the sake of getting the game onto another console, as beneficial to OWI's exposure as that would be.

I also doubt OWI would abandon the Xbox - they are irked by the PS2's technology too much.

[Dualist]

I also doubt OWI would abandon the Xbox - they are irked by the PS2's technology too much.

In fact Lorne Lanning hates the console. And PS2 has this graphic card that doesn't have a special piece, which every other video card in the world has.

[Nate]

umm... very specific there.

Also the 2005 release date is definite. If they released it in 2004 I think they would get into the Guinness Book of Records as the only game company to release a game ahead of schedule.

its still possible (I think likely) that the Xbox version will be released earlier than the PS2 but we don't really know anything either way. I doubt they will hold back the Xbox version until the PS2 one is ready. As other people have said, it is common enough to release games on different consoles at different times.

[Xavier]

finally I think 2005 is fine, a bit after the wave of killer games, such as:

GTA : San Andreas (Take Two), Gran Turismo 4 (Sony), Metal Gear Solid 3 (Konami), Doom 3 (Activision), Half-Life 2 (Vivendi Universal Games), Halo 2 (Microsoft), Metroid Prime 2 (Nintendo), Fable (Microsoft)


I love oddworld, but do they realy have a chance to make it if they release their game at the same time as those?

[Eriken]

I'm sure Sony has been giving EA money to have all of their published games on the PS2. Becuase there hasn't been any exclusive games from EA on Gamecube or Xbox.

Even if that were the case, it's no different than Microsoft paying off OWI to make Munch's Oddysee an exclusive launch title for the Xbox.

However, I very much doubt that that is the case, since EA would be completely retarded not to release it's multi-console games on the PS2. PS2 has the largest installed user base period. PS2's have sold more units than Gamecube and Xbox put together. Do you have any idea how much money EA would lose out on if they DIDN'T publish the majority of their games for the PS2?

[Mac the Janitor]

I would prefer the game to have a 2005 release rather than a 2004 release. More time means more publicity which means more customers which means a higher profit from the game which means the greater probability that there will be more great games from OWI.

Phew.

[drakan90]

So are they making them properly for each, or are they just making the PS2 version a port from the X-Box? I hope they put the same effort into both...

[Xavier]

My bet, like I already said it, is that OWI develops the game on Xbox, and then EA will find someone to transfer it on PS2...

[Statikk HDM]

You know what? OWI should give the PS2 fanboys the royal screwjob by witholding the game. If they do it to Xbox fanboys with the GTA series they ought to do it to the PS2 people, too. Also, I hope that just because this is a multiplatform release that the graphics on the 'Box get dumbed down. That would be a goddamned shame.

[Xavier]

1) You know what? OWI should give the PS2 fanboys the royal screwjob by witholding the game. If they do it to Xbox fanboys with the GTA series they ought to do it to the PS2 people, too.

2) Also, I hope that just because this is a multiplatform release that the graphics on the 'Box get dumbed down. That would be a goddamned shame.

1) that's just lame... OWI is too good and too artistic to give away a screwed game, especially if the playstation version is the way to attract more people

2) I don't think so, OWI devlops on Xbox the best they can, and then an other studio will do the transfer to PS2

[Wil]

Apparently the game does not use normal mapping, but instead focuses on larger environments. Which would explain why the characters may look a bit blocky, but the rock formations are great.

[oddguy]

Eurogamer Q&A with Lorne...

Eurogamer: Who's doing the PS2 conversion?

Lorne Lanning: Errrr... I can't say at this time, but we're working with a couple of outside groups.

Eurogamer: But how will it look compared to what we've just seen [on Xbox]?

Lorne Lanning: [Shakes head] As good as possible!

Eurogamer: ...much in the way of compromises?

Lorne Lanning: Well, some things are different boxes, so we're consistently surprised at how good some of the PS2 material is looking, so our target is to make them look as great as possible on the PS2.

Eurogamer: And why aren't you showing it today? Is it just not ready?

Lorne Lanning: We wanted to get the Xbox version virtually complete first. We had a really solid particular target, and go okay, this is the spec - exactly what the PS2 needs to match.

So, the PS2 version is going to look as good as that technology will allow it to be...adding in time constraints and such.

I'm getting the Xbox version...the console Stranger was made for.

-oddguy

[Wil]

Aha, you beat me to it, oddguy.

I'm getting the Xbox version because I don't have a PS2. And because the controller doesn't cramp my wrists.

I do wonder who is doing the conversion, though. Outside developers such as Saffire and Art CO. spring to mind, but to be fair, this is more of a port, and Digital Dialect made no problem with this task (besides making the games XP compatible of course ).

[Oddish]

How did you manage to get that transcip from ,Oddguy?

Xbox versoin same reason for Max's. (excetp for the controler part)

[Xavier]

well oddish, it's available here:
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=56175

[Alcar]

Going back to the original topic, I'd say Oddworld Inhabitants had to agree to a port of Stranger onto the PlayStation 2. More than likely, EA also wanted to have them released at the same time.

I assume this, because EA has a history of never releasing games without a PlayStation 2 version (usually because their main market is made on the PS2). I sort of get the feeling Lorne wasn't too keen on a PS2 port, and had to bite his lip while talking about a PS2 port - especially after the conversion to Xbox, and all the words that were exchanged concerning it.

Alcar...

[Software Bug]

so OWI ecturly dont like to bring stranger to PS2 as wel??

[Alcar]

No, it is just my opinion on the matter. Oddworld Inhabitants could have thrown a party, celebrating their return to the PlayStation for all we know

But the fact of the matter is they will be released at the same time.

Alcar...

[Software Bug]

forgotten that the first started on PS one!!
so it can be they will release the games after stranger only on PS2 or will they keep Xbox & PS2?? (future games may be PS3 or Xbox 2)

[Eriken]

I've lost all interest in Stranger. Like I was saying waaay back, the ingame graphics won't look as good as the cinematics, and recent screenshots have proven this. And if what Mr. Lanning said is correct, those are almost final Xbox version shots. Jak 2 on PS2 is bigger than Liberty City in GTA3 and still has better graphics than Stranger.
And no, I'm not just being a graphics whore. The gameplay looks flawed as well. The live ammo system looks like a gimmick, and I was hoping for a more serious, yet still odd, tone. Stranger would be perfect for that, but it once again looks like it'll appeal to a more childish audience, utilizing slap stick comedy instead of something more mature.

[oddguy]

Eriken. I was going to paste some very positive comments from professional gamers who actually got to play the game, but you seem like an individual who would dismiss any opinion but your own. I'm not wasting my time.

-oddguy

[Software Bug]

eriken,
so you lost the "gamelike" from stranger?? because he ingame graphics won't look as good as the cinematics??? maby its better when you LIKE it!!

[Wil]

What game has in game graphics better than the movies?

The graphics, as far as I can tell, are precisely what Lorne said he was making them: no normal mapping or precise details, but great-looking expansive environments and A.L.I.V.E. levels. I will admit parts of the Live Ammo system are slapstick, but this has been part of the Oddworld series since Abe's Oddysee - your dislike of it being much funnier than Abe simply falling down a cliff or whacking his noggin on a pipe is a matter of opinion, but come on - Stranger isn't likely to peer dumbfounded at the camera whenever the floor beneath him shakes, or someone comes crashing down onto him from above.