Game Ports: Will they or won't they?

Will they or won't they? We set the record straight for eight infamous game port rumors, including Crysis, Metal Gear Solid 4, Mass Effect, and BioShock.

It's becoming increasingly clear that Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo will live and die based on their lineup of exclusive titles. Games are the reason you buy a system. Heavy hitting exclusive games like Halo 3 and Metal Gear Solid 4 contribute to their respective platform's success; if Halo 3 had also appeared on the PS3, the Xbox 360's momentum would surely have suffered. Xbox 360 fan boys want nothing more than to see PlayStation 3 fail, and vice-versa. It's a meta-game hardcore gamers play with passion.

And the new battleground? Exclusive games.

Most speculation of multi-platform ports stems from a legitimate desire by gamers to play a game on the console they currently own. All gamers wish they could own all the new consoles, but the reality is that most gamers can afford just one. The desire to see big titles ported comes out of thrift -- who wants to spend $400 just to play one killer game?

Game developers see the situation differently. Developers want as many people to experience their games as possible. Publishers, too, appreciate the financial ramifications of multi-platform releases -- the more consoles a game hits, the greater its chance of turning a profit. Out of the eight games we've listed here, you can bet that at least a few -- however unlikely -- will eventually make their way to another platform.


Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Confirmed Platform: PlayStation 3

Rumored Platform: Xbox 360

Like Raiden, rumors of Metal Gear Solid 4 getting an Xbox 360 port just won't die. For the most part Konami has done an admirable job of quieting speculation, despite a few ambiguous statements in recent months. Speaking to investors about the future of Metal Gear, Konami President Fumiaki Tanaka stated, "As we are aware of the popularity and hardware-driving power of this software franchise, going forward we are open to taking this franchise across to other platforms." Xbox 360 fan boys happily loaded up with this atomic ammunition, despite the fact that Tanaka could have easily been referring to PSP and PC versions of Metal Gear (i.e. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus, Metal Gear Online, etc.).

This isn't to eliminate the possibility of an Xbox 360 port. Konami could very well be motivated into funding a multi-platform release for financial return. The PS3 is selling better, but it's still leagues behind the Xbox 360 in terms of hardware sales. That enormous Xbox 360 installed base must be difficult for Konami to ignore. Assistant Producer Ryan Payton recently surmised that Metal Gear Solid 4 would need to sell a million copies on day one in order to recoup development expenses. That's a tall order for a console that has been selling at a moderate pace.

A Substantial Treat?

Expecting something along the lines of a "Metal Gear Solid 4: Substance" arriving on the Xbox 360 a year or two after the PS3 version wouldn't be out of order...especially if you consider Konami's track record porting previous games in the franchise. A lot would have to be change though, as the game features a boatload of PS3-specific features tied directly to the Cell CPU and RSX graphics chip. We expect these technical hurdles would take Kojima Productions some time to overcome.

When Snake isn't sucking on a cigarette in Metal Gear 4, he's fondling the analog sticks on a Sixaxis controller and using it to control his miniature Metal Gear Mk-II. Call us crazy, but that's pretty solid evidence that development of Metal Gear Solid 4 has been geared solely toward PS3. Furthering this point, Payton spoke about the game's development during an official Kojima Productions Report podcast earlier this year stating, "Put aside whether or not we're developing for 360 or not, the game is built on the PS3 hardware." Executive Producer Hideo Kojima has affirmed the game's exclusivity multiple times and Konami announcements have always touted the Metal Gear Solid 4 as a PS3 exclusive. That's pretty incontrovertible evidence, so for all purposes consider this rumor smashed... for now, at least.

Chance of Xbox 360 Port: Slim
Don't get your hopes up -- Solid Snake was born on the PlayStation and will likely die on it.



BioShock

Confirmed Platform: Xbox 360, PC

Rumored Platform: PlayStation 3

Rumors of 2K Games splicing its genetically enhanced shooter into a PlayStation 3 port have been rampant ever since its August release. The Xbox 360 and Games for Windows title has been touted as an exclusive to Microsoft platforms. However, an overwhelming critical response and higher-than-expected sales could spur a new version for Sony's console. Unconfirmed sources point to a "director's cut" port packing in the recently-released Xbox 360 downloadable content and possibly a new location to find in Rapture. Including a couple extra plasmids wouldn't be compelling enough on its own, but if a brand new level came into the mix BioShock on PlayStation 3 would almost be more exciting than a Sander Cohen show.

Evidence for a potential port stems from support files embedded within the game. A bit of plumbing uncovered the config.ini file in the playable demo of the PC version, which contained reference to "PS3." 2K Games maintains that the settings come by default in Unreal Engine 3, the engine used to develop BioShock. It's possible work is being done on a PlayStation 3 port, the preliminary efforts showing up as a few random files in the currently available game.

Releasing a PlayStation 3 version could be a good move to tide the wait for the inevitable sequel. Take-Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick told investors earlier this year to expect a "three year" wait for a BioShock sequel. There's no reason to believe that a follow up wouldn't hit PlayStation 3 alongside Xbox 360 and PC, especially if there's more money to be made on a multi-platform release.

Chance of PS3 Port: Likely
Dust off your welcome mats, PS3 owners. You may be having some very Big guests soon.

Comments [0]

post a comment

Post a Comment