Brink developer admits PSN frustration

By Fred Dutton Published 13 May, 2011

But says sympathy lies with Sony.

Brink developer Splash Damage has admitted frustration that PlayStation 3 users won't be able to access the online portion of its multiplayer FPS following its launch today.

Speaking to GameSpot, founder Paul Wedgewood anticipated that the ongoing PSN outage could cost the developer a few sales.

"Of course for us it is frustrating to feel that half of our potential userbase won't be able to play online together immediately. I guess it could have some impact on sales, but really what we're saying to people at the moment is, you could be one of the first level 20 characters when PSN comes back online."

Despite the negative effect Sony's woes might have on his business, Wedgewood was quick to offer his sympathies to the beleaguered platform holder.

"I know that a lot of people are venting their frustration at Sony and are quite angry about the situation, but you have to think that there are a lot of people there who have just had a horrific few weeks, because of a bunch of hackers," he explained.

"These are individuals at Sony that are going through really really stressful periods, and it's very hard to protect your network against every possible threat.

"There's always going to be something new and unexpected, and I'm an ex-server network analyst, so I suppose I'm probably more empathetic than your average person."

He also offered a unique spin on why PS3 users are so upset by the network downtime.

"It's because Sony have been providing such a great service, so you care about the fact that it's gone now. So in some ways, it is actually really a compliment to Sony."

Splash Damage creative director Richard Ham stopped by Eurogamer HQ earlier this week to explain why PS3 owners who do pick up Brink should still have plenty of fun without online functionality. Take a look at the clip below for that.

Alas, still no word on when PSN will be back up and running, however reports earlier today that the developer network is now online suggests an imminent return.

Picture of Fred.

About Fred Dutton

Fred Dutton is Eurogamer's US news editor, based in Washington DC.

Read more articles from Fred by visiting the Fred Dutton archive page.

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Comments (19) Latest comment 1 year ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Arsecake_Baker #1 1 year ago

    You forgot to mention you gave it 8/10 EG!

  • DwarfyP #2 1 year ago

    That is OK. If the PSN owners saw the state of Brink in multiplayer as it is, they wouldn't want to play it online. It is like playing a slideshow.

  • Johnson #3 1 year ago

    >> It's because Sony have been providing such a great service, so you care about the fact that it's gone now. So in some ways, it is actually really a compliment to Sony.

    Or, alternatively, people who paid hundreds of pounds for a product and service might expect the service, even if it isn't as good as a competitor's offering.

  • Gitsmith #4 1 year ago

    When it should have been a 6.

    For shame.

  • dean0null #5 1 year ago

    "I'm an ex-server network analyst," says Splash Damage founder.

    What's up with the lag mister ex-server network analyst?

  • VandelayIndustries #6 1 year ago

    Really quite pleased that Gearbox and now Splash Damage are coming out and saying this, I presume more development heads are thinking along similar lines too. Makes a pleasant change from the trolling news editors, commentators & forumites.

  • slickster #7 1 year ago

    I am liking brink but thay should of made the AI better offline because they are shit.im still ranking up but need psn back to play a good match online.(playing it offline with bots on hard to get the trophie is inpossible need people)

  • The-Jack-Burton #8 1 year ago

    I played it, it's crap, I traded it in. So, no worries bout the PSN thing.

  • MARKIV #9 1 year ago

    Feel sorry for Motorstorm Apocalypse fans too, especially if your in the USA. First delayed by over a month to May 3rd because of the Japanese Earthquake and then no multiplayer because of PSN!!!

  • Murton #10 1 year ago

    logged about 2 hours with Brink last night, it has a lot of potential to be something special, the real challenge for Splash Damage is to realise that potential.

    It's not a bad game, but I can see the reason for the mixed reviews as it clearly isn't finished. An AI improvement and some free to extend the campaign are really all that's needed to justify that 8/10 score, I just hope Bethesda don't stand in the way of making that happen. Their past form this generation when it comes to post release support is pretty dire, as both a developer and a publisher. Lack of bug fixes/feature additions in patches, outright lies in patch notes (claiming to fix bugs that aren't fixed) and lackluster DLCs with a price tag that is disproportionate to the amount of content on offer.

  • apoc_reg #11 1 year ago

    so its missing from steam and psn is crocked.

    Bet this isnt selling good huh!!

  • riceNpea #12 1 year ago

    @MARKIV

    you feel sorry for fans of Motorstorm Apocolype because of the delay after the earthquake?

    i feel sorry for the earthquake victims

  • J.C #13 1 year ago

    An imminent return? How many times have i heard that this week! What a fucking joke. Never liked sony. Bought a PS, and it basically melted on me. Loved my dreamcast, but sony brand loyalty killed my console. I know its childish, but I still feel bitter towards them after all these years.

  • guernican #14 1 year ago

    "Or, alternatively, people who paid hundreds of pounds for a product and service might expect the service, even if it isn't as good as a competitor's offering. "

    True, I really resent the hundreds of pounds of subscription fees that PSN tears from my wallet each year. Makes me sick.

  • slickster #15 1 year ago

    people are saying its shit but its good for £32 at ASDA.it will be better when online is sorted out.

  • jonbwfc #16 1 year ago

    @Dean0Null - he was a server network analyst. He's now making games. Maybe that says something about his network analytical skills?

  • mikeck #17 1 year ago

    @slickster

    I'm in the same position, I am getting tired of the dodgy bot AI, however, it's not that hard to get the trophies (I'm flying through them).

    Can't wait for some proper opposition, and some good team players though!

  • MARKIV #18 1 year ago

    @riceNpea

    "you feel sorry for fans of Motorstorm Apocolype because of the delay after the earthquake?
    i feel sorry for the earthquake victims "

    Yes I feel sorry the earthquake victims too, much more than all of this!

    But your talking out of context, I was reffering to frustrations of PSN being down. And this double whammy really matters even more now to the makers of Motorstorm AP ( one of my fave games btw. ) - Evolution Studios, they've got every chance of going bust now!!

    Edited by MARKIV at 14/05/11 @ 13:52

  • Murton #19 1 year ago

    "Motorstorm AP ( one of my fave games btw. ) - Evolution Studios, they've got every chance of going bust now!! "

    Seeing as they're owned by Sony the chances of that are slim to none. Sony are not going to close down one of their most successful European studios due to a reduction in sales brought about by events completely outside of their control.