Orange Box Dysfunctional on the PS3?

Via Next Generation, a preview of the PS3 version of the Orange Box . 1up is the site running the piece, and it's notable because it's so incredibly negative. PS3 fans may have some frustrations in store when the game pack releases soon: "After spending a significant amount of time with a near final version of the PS3 game, it's apparent that this version suffers from a number of technical flaws, which at best merely hinder game play and at worst make the experience downright unplayable. Framerate is a consistent issue throughout the Half-Life series of games included in The Orange Box. One moment you'll be cruising through the game at 30 frames per second and the next you'll be enjoying a slideshow of series protagonist Gordon Freeman cruising down the river. "

Re:PRE-RELEASE

[Zoidbot]

I have seen exactly this.

If anyone picked up the free demo disc of Ratchet And Clank Future Tools Of Destruction on PS3, from Gamestop, it looked nice, but had quite bad framerate issues, and screen tearing. This was about 2 weeks prior to release.

The final cut of the game, is perfect, with perhaps the best looking and smoothest visuals ever seen in a videogame.

It really depends on how old the cut of the game code was, but I doubt SCEA would authorize it's release, if it's as bad as 1Up say it is.

So I can see this playing out 2 ways.

1/ The game comes out, and it's fine, and LOADS of trashy sites (this one included) are make to look like idiotic fanboys.

2/ SCEA block it's release, because it's sub par.

3/ SCEA don't block it, but it's still sub par, and then EA and Valve get it in the neck for sloppy coding (as the PS3 has been proven to be a great console, if you can be bothered to learn it).

Re:Depressing

[Alphager]

Meanwhile, Infinity Ward managed to put out a rock solid multi-platform FPS- COD4. If they can make it look and play so great on the PS3, why can't Valve?

Because EA (and not Valve) is responsible for the PS3-port.

Re:PRE-RELEASE

[Cowclops]

Lesson: Valve is the company that makes Half Life. Steam is the method they use to distribute it. Sierra is the company that originally published Half Life 1 but has had nothing to do with it at all since then.

Re:I wonder why...

[twistedsymphony]

Here are some reasons...

• correct me if I'm wrong (and I'm sure someone will) but doesn't "Games for Windows Live" only work with Vista? If so that would be a very strong reason why Valve didn't sign up for it...
• another one is that you would need to pay the $50 annual contract for a Live Gold subscription to play with your friend while most PC gamers are used to playing online for free. Also you would need to connect to MS servers for patches updates etc. while Valve has their own Steam system... EA had the same problem with the Live system back in the Xbox 1 days because they wanted to use their own servers instead of the XBL servers... eventually a compromise was reached and special provisions were made for EA but something like that may need to be worked out with Valve before you see any of their games on the Live network.
• Finally, considering that Games for Windows Live is a "new" platform and Half Life 2 predates its buy a fair margin, they would likely have to re-build a substantial portion of the multiplayer code to be in compliance with the Live system... and that's something most developers wont bother to do.

In all likelihood the decision to NOT support Games for Windows Live came from the fact that they would have had many many more rabbit fanboys complaining about having to use Vista and Live than they got complaints of not being able to play between PC and 360 users.

AC Framerate PS3 vs 360

[bateleur]

It a controversial issue, since GameSpot claim the PS3 version performs better [gamespot.com] whilst IGN say exactly the opposite [ign.com]. (Having played neither version I have no idea who is correct.)