Rumor: Are Epic Games Getting Into Bed With Sony Japan?
According to the Internet, and might I add that the Internet is never wrong, Sony Computer Entertainment plans on making an announcment at E3 that will be huge. Off the scale you might say. In other news, little over two weeks from now, April 15, Epic Games will hold a press conference to announce the formation of Epic Games Japan. My first thoughts on that news included the two words “why” and “bother.”
Japan has never really been known as the best environment for Western themed shooters. In fact you might say that aside from Unreal Tournament 3, Epic Games have never really strayed too far from the Xbox 360 regarding their tentpole releases. With that in mind why bother opening an office in Japan, even if it is there to provide “Japanese language support for the Unreal Engine 3,” which to me sounds like a pretty lame reason for doing so. I mean UE3 has been on the market for years, several high profile Japanese developers have made some top notch titles with that engine, and they did so impressively. Also, it has been announced that Gears of War lead designer Cliff Bleszinski will also deliver a video message at said press event. Whilst I understand that Dude Huge is somewhat of an important spokesman for Epic, why would he be needed for such a public display of support – even if it is a pre-recorded video message?
This logically points towards Epic making serious inroads towards developing games for a bigger audience, one which includes our Japanese co-players which would explain the presence of Suda “51,” who is currently working with Electronic Arts on an UE3 powered title. Having such a high profile developer at the event would surely give Epic some ground to stand on with regards to gaining the respect of the gathered press. Now then, let’s go back shall we? You might be asking yourself “What the hell has this to do with Sony?” Here’s what I believe is going down. At E3 2010 Sony will unveil a slew of new titles to the PlayStation 3 platform, some of which were previously, and most importantly, exclusively identified with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 platform. Whilst it might not be Gears of War 3, it could very well be set in the Gears universe as Epic Games, not Microsoft, own that intellectual property. The only agreement with Microsoft was for the original Gears trilogy which looks to be wrapping up in April 2011. With all the intrigue regarding the backstory of the Gears trilogy it isn’t conceivable that a prequel might well end up on PS3 – in fact we’re calling that now. At E3 2010 Epic will unveil a Gears title for PS3. It makes sense when you consider the timing, the recent Unreal Engine technical demo with the Bromack, as well as Epic moving into Japanese territory. We’ll be keeping an eye on Epic’s upcoming press event to see whether or not our suspicions are on the ball.
Source:// Andriasang | Famitsu | Pic
Sounds very plausible. Cliffy did say he is going after Naughty Dog for visuals so that’s another hint right there. I think Microsoft is so entrenched in Project Natal that they don’t seem to care about keeping up with the PS3 anymore. Epic has already supported the PS3 as well so it’s not like they have an exclusive partnership with Microsoft. If Microsoft were smart they would purchase Epic but I think they want too much.
I don’t know seems kind of far fetch at least in the logic presented. Possible yes, but not because of the reasons here. Epic actually makes more off of licencing than they do making games from what I understand. This is taking off in the Asian markets. I don’t think the Japan office will be only doing solely Japanese marketing most likely it’s going to be that whole side of the region. It actually does make sense for them to have an office purely for translation and quicker turn around because as this segment of their business continues to grow it becomes a larger piece of the pie.
As far as their E3 announcement, ya it’s going to be a game of some import because it’s going to be their next evolution a company like this makes it’s money by staying on the cutting edge. If they don’t soon the Cry Engine will be the next big thing.
Whether this new game is going to be on the Sony platform or the MS platform is all together another story. Most likely it will be multi-platform and will be presented BY Sony and that is it.
seems unlikely, or course it would be nice that 360′s only interesting original franchise comes to PS3 but I don’t think is going to happen
first of all PS3 doesn’t need Gears when it has Uncharted, Sony would need to put some serious money to make this happen and Sony knows better than that, they don’t give 50 million to Rockstar for a timed exclusive DLC, they use those 50 million to buy an studio or to finance a new AAA IP like Heavy Rain or Infamous
on the other hand Cliff Bielinsky did say that Gears is all about the spectacular presentation so he was waiting for a new gen for the next one, now that PS3 proved itself to be much more powerful than 360 maybe he changed his mind and decided that games this gen can still impress but just not on 360
unless it was Epic’s unilateral choice with no money from Sony I thin this is not true
lol this is funny.. I don’t think MS is that stupid to let go of the franchise that made the xbox what it is today next to the halo series…. anyways Epic falls in line with Valve basically never made ps3 titles… Valve is at 0 ( EA ported The orange box not valve) and epic is at 1 with Unreal tournament 3 i think it is… epic is to MS like insomniac is to Sony… yes they could make multiplatform games but both have great business relationships with each relative company
epic said they wont be realsing any games this year and to be honest saying that they will make a sony game because they make a studio in japan is so stupid i mean look at all the western developers making games for sony none of them have japanese studio. THERE WILL BE NO GEARS GAME COMING OUT ON PS3 so stop getting excited over nothing it will only set you up for dissappointment, the ps3 doesnt need gears anyway.
@bob – Bob, why move into what is known as Sonys market (Japan) when you’re a Xbox360 developer. In order to sell the engine to more developers in that region Epic will have to put their money where their mouth is.
Why should other companies develop for PS3 when the company who makes the engine (Epic) doesn’t? It makes good business sense for Epic to show off the capabilities of the Unreal Engine by making an amazing title for PS3.
If anything it’ll be a Gears sidestory.
Cliffy B said that he wanted Gears 3 to have good graphics, well that pretty much confirms a PS3 version right there.
We all know the 360 isn’t powerful enough to do good graphics, so he can either break his promise and make a sub – standard graphics game for the 360 or he can break his relationship with M$ and develop a good graphics game on the PS3.
Those are the only options, either Gears 3 will be on PS3, or Gears 3 won’t have graphics any better than Gears 2.