PlayStation 3 Left for Dead by Valve

Submitter: Starlight - 282 days ago (http://www.gamerchip.com)

Site Tags: playstation 3 left dead valve

Category: PlayStation 3

Valve are among the most respected and successful game developers of recent history. With a string of uber-successful titles franchises such as Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Portal and in the future the highly anticipated Left 4 Dead.

Add to that what is arguably the most used and reliable digital distribution system, Steam, and you have a very desirable business partner.

Which is a shame for PS3 owners. If you are a fan of any of these games, combining that with a love of the Sony console means that something has had to give. That comprimise has come in the shape of EA. GamerChip examines the implications of this predicament and why poorer versions of these great games are set to continue for Playstation gamers.

Looking at the history of Valve products, The brilliant Orange Box had to be handed over to EA to even get a version for the PS3. A lack of any development team in Valve gives a fairly clear indication of their priorities and resulted in a pretty dissapointing port. While this was appreciated by the consoles owners, the port suffered from unique issues, such as dropped frame rates and inconvenient load times. The polish and talent that created the original games never had the chance to give the PS3 version the spit and polish that is their trademark.

Secondly, Valve have flat out denied that they are developing a PS3 version of Left 4 Dead. Adding a groan to the already vocal chorus of "Wha?" reverberating through the Playstation forums, EA have once again raised their hand to get the title across.

It's a sorry situation for Playstation gamers. While the Xbox360 and PC get the benefit of the master touch of a beginning-to-end product from Valve, PS3 owners suffer the fate of the slow start to life of the console, hampered by the exhorbitant development costs and lack of install base. The result? Even at this point in the consoles life cycle we are seeing lazy coding due to the percieved lack of return from PS3 titles.

I can only wish PS3 owners the best of luck, your tenacity in investing in the futureproof console has been tested over the last couple of years. It is time for developers and Sony to give you your dues.

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