PS2 Not Being Taken Advantage Of

Jonbo298 · 01-15-2004, 02:39 PM

According to the latest issue of PSM, at a recent PlayStation developers meeting, Sony revealed some research they'd been conducting on the PS2's performance. Sony Europe used what they are calling a "performance analyzer" to examine some of the console's better looking games. They came to the conclusion that most games don't even utilize the PS2's power. In fact, 60% of the games tested only ran at 30 frames per second.

Apparently, the secret (or not so secret) way to unleash the PS2's power is to use its vector units (VUs), which are co-processors designed to aid the much-ballyhooed Emotion Engine with AI or physics for example. Of course, the games that used the VUs fared much better, and the game that scored highest did indeed use the VUs the most. Unfortunately, the title of that game was not disclosed. This unamed title was able to display about twice as many polygons and ran at about 60 fps.

One problem as PSM points out is that "a lot of the games that don't really use vector units are ports from other systems." Now if only Sony can get more and more developers to actually utilize the VUs, PS2 gamers will be a much happier bunch.

http://sony.gamerfeed.com/gf/news/5111/

Most games that are ported are almost ALWAYS ported from the PS2 to other consoles. The last big game that was ported from other consoles to the PS2 was Splinter Cell.

A big game coming out shortly for PS2 is Sonic Hero's. It runs 60fps on 'Cube and 'Box but on PS2 it runs at 30. I know Sega isn't just gonna half ass it to PS2 since I'm about 100% sure they made it on PS2 first then ported it. Did Sony not tell them "Here's how to use the VU's efficiently so that X game can run as fast and as good as the other 2 consoles".

But enough of my opinion. I feel this article is valid, but I want to see some comparisons of games not using VU's with games using the VU's.

Ace195 · 01-15-2004, 04:52 PM

Meh... stupid sony...

Dark Samurai · 01-15-2004, 05:35 PM

so whats your point?

the games still look good on the ps2 even though they're only using 60% of the ps2 power. maybe they're just doing that because the ps2 might blow up in your face or something, i dont know.

Jonbo298 · 01-15-2004, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark-Samurai

so whats your point?

Companies are lazy. What else is there to say?

Ace195 · 01-15-2004, 06:02 PM

Your lazy to jon, If you worked for a company you would do exactly what they did

ominub · 01-15-2004, 06:04 PM

This better not be about how much you hate sony because if it is jon im going to be pissed at you!

Dyne · 01-15-2004, 06:37 PM

Haha, that's because 60%... if not MORE... is already shovelware.

Case closed.

Heck, even games like SH3 are pushing the PS2. Most people don't give a crap about shovelware..

Jonbo298 · 01-15-2004, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ominub

This better not be about how much you hate sony because if it is jon im going to be pissed at you!

How is this because I hate Sony? All it is, is news that is interesting. I never stated "I hate Sony so **** much because they aren't pushing every single company to produce the most extravagant looking games ever." All it is is just simple news that the PS2 can do better but some companies aren't trying.

Since I know I'm just gonna cause some MEANINGLESS AND POINTLESS opinions, this is my last reply in this thread since people can't seem to take to the fact that I'm not a MAJOR Sony hater or anything. I don't prefer the PS2 or Xbox, but it doesn't mean I'm a raging Nintendo fanboy.

Good day everyone

Perfect Stu · 01-15-2004, 07:03 PM

PS2 games still look beautiful in my eyes...GT4, Ratchet and Clank 2...even ICO is still one of the most STUNNING games I've ever seen.

If games in the next couple years start to look even better (which they probably will) I'm not one to complain.

bobcat · 01-16-2004, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonbo298

How is this because I hate Sony? All it is, is news that is interesting. I never stated "I hate Sony so damn much because they aren't pushing every single company to produce the most extravagant looking games ever." All it is is just simple news that the PS2 can do better but some companies aren't trying.

Since I know I'm just gonna cause some MEANINGLESS AND POINTLESS opinions, this is my last reply in this thread since people can't seem to take to the fact that I'm not a MAJOR Sony hater or anything. I don't prefer the PS2 or Xbox, but it doesn't mean I'm a raging Nintendo fanboy.

Good day everyone

I COMPLETELY agree Jonbo. Just because you have something like this to say about Sony, people are all like "argh how dare you just accept it it's good!!!!!!!" Seen this many times b4.

GiMpY-wAnNaBe · 01-25-2004, 09:02 PM

...hater

thatmariolover · 04-30-2004, 03:59 PM

That site sounds like a bunch of fanboys that don't know much about specs. I mean, seriously, nearly every person that understands the way the PS2 works also understands that the vector units are key in utilizing power. This is not news.

In all honesty, Sony shouldn't have left it up to the developers to work harder. Sony should have made their system easier to develop for. I mean, you make it easy to develop for once. It's easy from then on. But Sony didn't, and now devs have to struggle with it with every single game engine they write. PS2 has great games, but it was poorly designed and there's no getting around it. The good developers are working through it and doing a good job. But you can't blame the others for giving lackluster graphics.

bobcat · 04-30-2004, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatmariolover

That site sounds like a bunch of fanboys that don't know much about specs. I mean, seriously, nearly every person that understands the way the PS2 works also understands that the vector units are key in utilizing power. This is not news.

In all honesty, Sony shouldn't have left it up to the developers to work harder. Sony should have made their system easier to develop for. I mean, you make it easy to develop for once. It's easy from then on. But Sony didn't, and now devs have to struggle with it with every single game engine they write. PS2 has great games, but it was poorly designed and there's no getting around it. The good developers are working through it and doing a good job. But you can't blame the others for giving lackluster graphics.

That's a very logical and good point.

GT News · 04-30-2004, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcat

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatmariolover

That site sounds like a bunch of fanboys that don't know much about specs. I mean, seriously, nearly every person that understands the way the PS2 works also understands that the vector units are key in utilizing power. This is not news.

In all honesty, Sony shouldn't have left it up to the developers to work harder. Sony should have made their system easier to develop for. I mean, you make it easy to develop for once. It's easy from then on. But Sony didn't, and now devs have to struggle with it with every single game engine they write. PS2 has great games, but it was poorly designed and there's no getting around it. The good developers are working through it and doing a good job. But you can't blame the others for giving lackluster graphics.

That's a very logical and good point.

A logical and good point is a terrible thing to waste.

Perfect Stu · 05-01-2004, 02:44 PM

Lower-end companies can stick with PC games...overcoming challenge (PS2 architecture) reaps reward (insanely large userbase, potential million game seller). The PS2 is a unique architecture...it's a different technology. I'm not saying "tougher to develop for = good", I'm just saying Sony invested a lot of money into this type of tech, they wanted something different/ambitious, and I dont think anyone can really argue that it's been a bad thing.

PS2 was released to the public in March 2000...a full year and a half before GC/XBX...and it's still pumping out quality, good-looking games that are comparable to similar GC/XBX offerings. If they'd used Microsoft's exact tech, only a year and a half older, I'm betting we'd see a huge (worse)difference in PS2 graphics compared to XBox's