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PSX2 Smackdown!

by Jack Mathews, Feb 15, 2000 4:51pm PST
Related Topics – Sony, Hardware (PC only), Monolith, Fox Interactive

To wrap up some controversy from yesterday, Monolith first announced that it joined Sony's Middleware and Tools program for PSX2.  Then, Jason Hall made a .plan update clarifying some of the press release and stating "As far as I can tell, LithTech is really the one and only complete 3D game operating system available to license as a middleware solution."  Finally, after that, Tim Sweeney made an update to the Unreal Tech Page saying that they're also going to be a licensed middleware provider.  He also went on the offensive, publicly bashing Monolith and LithTech 2.0 for no less than four paragraphs. Now, there's a couple things to consider here. On speculation's front, the press release, though vague, may be saying that the engine is licensable right now and is the first one complete and ready for it. Even if that's not true, Jason did say "As far as I can tell," and a simple correction from Epic would have sufficed. Also, while Tim was bashing LithTech 2.0, nothing in Monolith's press release or Jason Hall's update talks about the PSX2 version of LithTech as being LithTech 2.  Rather, it just mentions a PSX2 version of LithTech, which would mean a modified version of current technology.  Also, as dirtypunk pointed out in the comments, Criterion's RenderWare 3.0 is a licensed middleware engine as well. So with all that in mind, a new poll's gone up, and it's one of those "who's better" polls. 7:30pm update: Looks like we got another press release from Monlith while we're on the topic. They are announcing a "Massively Multiplayer Game Operating System" with Fox Interactive as a license.


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84 Threads | 84 Comments
  • #82
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    By: Foozmelon x
    Reply
    \"Sweeney was simply defending his product, just like any other company would.\"

    -This statement actually scares me that a rational human being would think this is a logical argument.
    1. Sweeney wasn\'t defending his product, he was outright attacking another company and their technology.
    2. I re-read the Hall .plan 3 times, Jack is right, there is NO epic bashing.
    3. Sweeney\'s (and yes, it was him who wrote it, you don\'t put your name on something unless you MEAN it) reference to Birth of a Monster is probably the lowest blow I\'ve ever seen a company pull. The facts alone in that article are enough to make a real journalist blush. It\'s like Id on their website referencing an article posted by a die-hard Quake player bashing Epic. It\'s something that is just not done. I\'m surprised to see so few people even mentioning this. This alone, for me, signals the end of any type of support that I can give Epic. This went too far. I now hope it bites them, hard.
    4. I smell Epic\'s desperateness.. So far they\'ve seen:
    a) 3DO\'s Might and Magic series on LithTech (for MULTIPLE! OUCH!)
    b) Black Isle license LithTech
    c) Monolith announce Middleware first.
    d) Monolith announce a online engine
    Jason keeps on saying more deals..
    5. Is Evil Avatar an Epic fansite?
    It will be interesting to see what is going to happen.
    Feb 16, 2000 8:54am PST
  • #81
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    By: deathknight x
    Reply
    I\'d say that THIS sums it up:

    \"Something to know - there may be other engines out there that are currently being ported to the PSX2, but until
    they are approved, they are not able to be made available for others to license. This is why this announcement is
    significant. As far as I can tell, LithTech is really the one and only complete 3D game operating system available
    to license as a middleware solution.

    We have been working on the PSX2 version of LT for quite some time. The PSX2 team has made great progress.
    As an example, I can use LT2 to build a level/world, save it, and then load and display it on a PSX2 or PC
    without any additional work. The same file. WHEW! \"
    Feb 16, 2000 8:46am PST
  • #76
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    By: hi-c x
    Reply
    I\'m encouraged that the Shack poll is currently at 71% saying, Go to Hell! Who cares!

    Love or hate UT, it\'s pathetic to see Epic bashing another game developer. And it\'s sad to see the real reason behind the bashing: that cool quarter of a mil that Epic wants licensees to spend with them, rather than Monolith.

    Given the rather precious tone in .plan files out of Epic lately (see last week\'s condescending lecture to id software on supporting the mod community), it\'s becoming clear that Epic can\'t psychologically handle success. From the top down, its employees sound like ugly nouveau riche. Well, business isn\'t pretty, kids. But can you imagine Carmack acting in public like this?
    Feb 16, 2000 1:03am PST
  • #61
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    By: dirtypunk x
    Reply
    Well, still, as I said before... I dont think that the Unreal Tech update was actually written by Tim Sweeney (even though it had his name up the top). Reading through it, you get the feeling that its someone else. Either that or Tim has accute multiple personality disorder.

    As for Jack getting into management at Taco Bell... Well, I would say more a roaming inspector... Checking that there is enough migrant labour, sub-par health standards (Which people blame on the beans), enough smack in the Taco sauce etc.

    That and bein\' a Pimp Daddio of course.
    Feb 15, 2000 7:20pm PST