BioWare: PS3 refs in ME2 code erroneous

By Tom Bramwell Published 3 February, 2010

UE3's fault, not proof of another SKU.

BioWare has denied that Mass Effect 2 is on its way to PlayStation 3 after fans uncovered references to the Sony platform in files included with the PC version.

As reported by Eurogamer Portugal, the PC version includes various references to PS3 in DefaultEngine.ini and other files.

BioWare's Chris Priestly replied on the official forum: "Unreal Engine is cross-platform, hence the PS3 code. This was brought up back in Mass Effect 1 days as well. Mass Effect is for the PC and Xbox 360."

Mass Effect 2 came out on PC and Xbox 360 last week to much acclaim, and currently sits atop the UK charts.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (49) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • 52pickup #1 2 years ago

    If it does come to PS3, then it will be one of the worst kept secret since PS3 slim.

  • aphexstwin #2 2 years ago

    after seeing the 'exclusive' dlc migrate from 360 to pc to ps3 for gta 4 i would agree with you 52 pickup. i would imagine only 1st party devs are going to stick with their respective consoles, but 3rd party now realise that ps3 business is definately worth having.

  • betahoven #3 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 09:36:16 17-12-2011

  • CosmicFuzz #4 2 years ago

    Nah it's the other way around. Hello Devil May Cry! And what's this? You've brought your good friend Final Fantasy with you? How lovely. Tekken has just arrived too, I'll go put the kettle on.

  • onyxbox #5 2 years ago

    I think it will eventually come to PS3, probably in about 2 years when they sell the "game of the decade" trillogy box set.

    It would also be nice to see a re-boot of the first game running on the encanced (ME2) Unreal Engine (on 360/PS3) if a box set is ever made.

  • Spekingur #6 2 years ago

    So, how many lines of code refer to the PS3?

    If it's like 5-6 lines then it hints towards them having at least tested the game on PS3, possibly even scrapped the idea but plainly just forgetting to remove some lines.

  • bad09 #7 2 years ago

    PS3 should get ME they are great games. These days I understand the need but think exclusives on consoles are just plain stupid, let everyone play the games.

  • 52pickup #8 2 years ago

    @CosmicFuzz

    like Bioshock,Star Ocean,Lost Planet & Dead Rising were round mine last night.

    Geez, shouldn't you be in school.

  • CosmicFuzz #9 2 years ago

    @52 um, Star Ocean was a PS title that came to 360. So that's round at mine actually, enjoying a nice cup of tea with the gang. And Dead Rising is yet to make an appearance on PS3, so maybe that's Lair in disguise trying to make some friends? Good try though, you wee scamp.

    /ruffles hair

  • CygnusReactor #10 2 years ago

    I echo Bad09. ME as a franchise is great, just finished ME2 on Monday night totally worth it... I think the more that experience this awesome game the better, also I would like to believe the days of exclusives are thankfully falling away....

  • CosmicFuzz #11 2 years ago

    Here here to no more exclusives! A good game is a good game and it should be enjoyed by all.

  • laharl80 #12 2 years ago

    Mass effect has to be the most overrated franchise of recent years with the possible exception of crackdown.It can stay on 360 for all i care.

  • Lord_Gremlin #13 2 years ago

    OK, why haven't he said "It won't come to PS3, we won't do it"? Because they will.

  • glottis0 #14 2 years ago

    This was only ever news because people don't understand how games are developed...

    Any middleware (like a commercial rendering engine, tree-renderer, AI pathfinder, etc) will be developed with multiple platforms in mind. Also, most companies write their shared tech (e.g. code for maths functions, localisation, error handling, etc) with multiple platforms in mind. Even places that focus on a single platform, like Naughty Dog or Rare will likely have files and code stubs labelled for the other platforms, ready to fill with console-specific code if the need ever arises.

    In this case, the file in question is an ini of the type that ships with most Unreal-based games, so it's really completely unremarkable that some PS3-referencing stuff remained in there. It certainly doesn't suggest that someone sat down and started coding Mass Effect for PS3!

  • Darren #15 2 years ago

    Come on BioWare... release Mass Effect 1 and 2 for the PS3... why deny people who only own a PS3 the chance to play these wonderful games?
    Edited by 1 at 03/02/10 @ 13:29

  • thesombrerokid #16 2 years ago

    the script references are game specific chunks, it was definitely written by bioware scripters to pre-empt a ps3 version of the game, whether they knew there would be a ps3 version or just suspected there would be is unclear since adding these variables represents about 4 seconds worth of work, i often write the code i know my superiors will want me to write along with the code they are currently asking me to write just to save having to rewrite it later, I'm sure it's a case of that.

  • miiiguel #17 2 years ago

    ^ that's way too far out...

    I wish this speculations ended, sometimes it gets so ridicule is not even funny.

  • BabyJesus #18 2 years ago

    Get both consoles, problem solved.

    Both of them are worth it and priced decent now.

  • andywilkie35 #19 2 years ago

    Why are these nerds digging around in the code? Just play the fucking game!

  • Steroyd #20 2 years ago

    I thought people thought a port was inevitable ever since Bioware got bought by EA?

  • Negotiator #21 2 years ago

    Unlucky PS3 lemmings, guess your gonna have to make do with MAG. Only joking, I am looking forward to Heavy Rain, even though ME 2 is better.

  • bad09 #22 2 years ago

    "Why are these nerds digging around in the code? Just play the fucking game! "

    Probably people trying to do Bioware's job for them again and trying to put the controller back in on PC like they did with ME1 :)

  • Murton #23 2 years ago

    I wouldn't be surprised if the trilogy came across when fully complete but by the time that happens is anyone really going to be that bothered about it? I certainly won't be if it's just a rushed port of the originals, a ground up development using later and improved engine however would likely be snapped up on release.

    I'd like to echo the comments above regarding the end of third party exclusives, the first party devs should continue obviously but the third party should check their misguided loyalties at the door and focus on making great games for their fans rather than for the platform holders.

  • sfp_noodle #24 2 years ago

    i can see ME2 coming to ps3 as early as this year. i cnt remember EA ever staying exclusive to any platform before. plus the ps3 install base is near 30 mil now? thts an awful lot of potential sales they are denying themselves. ive jus finished ME2 and the 360 and i think it wud be an awesome game for any ps3 owner to play

  • Golgo #25 2 years ago

    That frontpage headline could use a few more acronyms.

  • Moribundman #26 2 years ago

    @aphexstwin The big difference between the GTA DLC and Mass Effect is that the PS3 GTA engine is already in place, and the content has already been developed for the 360, so to port the additional content into the PS3 version of the engine is a doddle once the rights are clear. With ME2, 1 or anything else being developed for the PS3 they'd need to build it from the ground up. And if they were doing that then they'd have announced something by now.

    Also ME2 is so symbiotic with ME1 they would HAVE to release that too (you get cameos, major roles and emails from virtually every single character you spoke to in ME1), and the first game simply wouldn't stand as a new release on the PS3 today. Even if they released it as a budget title or part of a pack with ME2, there'd be large development costs to port and Bioware are already spread very thin with work on ME3, DA2, the Old Republic and two dedicated teams working on 2 years worth of quality DLC for both ME2 and DA...

    It'd be a MASSIVE shame if ME never found its way to the PS3 but there are so many logistical issues in play that the only way they could do it would be as a retrospective collection, and by then ME2 would probably look as dated as ME1 does now...

  • Wonderboyf60 #27 2 years ago

    Dosnt Microsoft still own the IP or at least have something to do with it? I know they published the original game.

  • Retro_ #28 2 years ago

    @26

    Unreal Engine runs like a dream on PS3 so ME2 on PS3 should be do-able.

  • Moribundman #29 2 years ago

    @Lord_Gremlin I think the reason they've not said anything is simply because they have no plans to develop it right now but they don't want to look like they're back tracking if they end up porting it at some point. As I say, it'd be a shame if it never does end up on PS3 but I'm happily playing it on the 360 so I'm not complaining :-)

  • Moribundman #30 2 years ago

    @thesombrerokid Apparently the code is just standard UE jabber that isn't specific to ME2. Someone trawling through it has pulled out a couple of lines and started clutching at straws.

    As I've said, there are far too many logistical issues in the way to release this as things stand, EA or no. But for such a massive game I'm sure there'll be pressure to port ;-)

  • Murton #31 2 years ago

    To the people saying they finished it Monday, is it really that short or like the first one is it about a dozen story missiosn surrounded in a load of unrelated side quests that totally optional?

    @ Moribundman: it uses the Unreal Engine, which already works brilliantly with the PS3, porting it across would not be as hard as you think and the gains are massive. Bioware have the manpower to make it happen if they wish or they need all their people on other project they could outsource it to another studio that specialises in platform porting, such as 4J Studios, the guys behind the excellent port of Oblivion to the PS3.

    With the potential gains of bringing this franchise across to the PS3 there is only one reason not to do it and that is if MS owns the IP, which clearly isn't the case otherwise they would have said so when asked about the PS3 specific code in Mass Effect 1, let alone this time around.

  • CygnusReactor #32 2 years ago

    @Murton
    I clocked up nearly 35hours on my first playthrough, I tried to do a lot of the sidequest as I could find. Some of the mission seem to be a hell of a lot shorter than ME1, but I'd booked time off work to get it done... otherwise I just know I'd be daydreaming about it.. :)
    I've seen someone has done it in 10hours, but they must have just got the squad together and got it done. So I guess it depends on your playing style on how long it lasts.

  • ybfelix #33 2 years ago

    The code is " SpendTalentPointsMessagePS3 ParagonRenegadeMessagePS3 " etc, it reads like code for displaying a message box or something for Paragon and Renegade, i,e. a GUI element, not P/R internal mechanic itself.

  • Phishfood #34 2 years ago

    I'm doubting this will make it to PS3 since a single playthrough has a lot of loading screens. I would imagine the loading on the PS3 would be far worse.

  • freakzilla #35 2 years ago

    It took a while to get a catagoric NO from Bioware... unfortunately I'm just not rich enough to buy a 360 at this point.

  • jag10 #36 2 years ago

    didn't bioware do bioshock which was a 360 exclusive at first but now is multiplatform. i suspect when the contract finishes mass effect will be going multiplatform unless MS give them a shit load of money.

    Bioware: contract is finished we're going multiplatform

    MS: we'll give you 20million to keep it exclusive

    Bioware: *laughter* you do realise if we go multiplatform your going to be well and truly fucked?

    MS: fine we'll give you 50 million

    Bioware: 150 million deal or no deal

    MS: deal.............................Bastards!

  • Moribundman #37 2 years ago

    @Murton It's not short at all, I think everyones just torn into it like a sailor on shore leave. I took Friday off, my copy arrived Thursday night, and I played until 2 or 3 and all through my long weekend. Finished it very late last night. The structure is much better organised this time - no dicking about for several hours on the Citadel, mission, mission, mission, mission, endgame (with sidequests if you fancy them)... Its totally open, so you can chase sidequests and exploration (10-20 mini missions), which are much more like the missions in ME1 than the Mako roaming bits. You can go to whichever hub you like from the word go, or you can head straight for one of the recruiting missions. There's a recruiting mission for 7 squad members and a loyalty mission for 11 of them (inc DLC) and about 5-10 main story missions pre endgame. The main plot plays at roughly twice the length of the one in ME1, but you NEED to pursue a lot more side missions if you're going to build enough XP to buy the upgrades to get you through the end game.

    In short - NOT a short game, and encourages deeper play than the first game in order to keep people ALIVE by the end of the game. Think I played the endgame about 4 times before I got everyone out of there in one piece.

  • Moribundman #38 2 years ago

    @jag10 No, they didn't.

  • ronuds #39 2 years ago

    I think once EA took over BioWare this going to the PS3 eventually was a given.

    If you really want to play the game now, just get a 360 and stop making excuses. Otherwise, I don't see why people are sitting around for years waiting for games they want to play to possibly come to their console of choice. By the time this does go to the PS3 -- if it in fact does -- it's going to be a year or two after the fact and we'll have moved on to other games...kind of like GTA IV.

  • makeamazing #40 2 years ago

    The first words from anyone is usually muted denial. This is what this seems like at the moment. They maybe under a license agreement, maybe in the process of porting or not even started, we just dont know.

    Guess we will see in the next 12-16 months if something happens :| until then everything is just speculation. Though if the answer was a definate no, they could just say no were not doing it, so in this respect its most likely going to come over to the PS3 at some point.

  • VandelayIndustries #41 2 years ago

    Both Bethesda and Rockstar denied rumors of their respective DLC making it over, (in Rockstar's case they were still saying it wasn't happening only a few days before the announcement). I'd expect Bioware to do the same.

    As for ME1 being published by Microsoft? Ninja Gaiden 2 was also published by Microsoft and that made it over.

  • darleysam #42 2 years ago

    The fact that they've not flat-out stated that it won't be on PS3 lends absurd amounts of credence to any rumour that it will. ME1 won't, I'm pretty sure MS will have that tied up, but if there's any way that ME2 can legally be sold on PS3, I think EA will see it through.

  • Dizzy #43 2 years ago

    If it ever comes to the PS3 it will come when ME3 is ready to go gold probably.

  • Murton #44 2 years ago

    I don't remember any categorical denial from either Bethesda or Rockstar regarding their DLC coming to the PS3. In every statement both companies maintained a present tense saying "is only available for 360" or "there are no plans to make it available on the PS3"

    Bioware are in very much the same stage here saying that it is a 360/PC exclusive, we know that already, but what about in the future? Thus far there has been no comment and I suspect that like Rockstar and Bethesda that "no comment" stance will continue until the PS3 release is finally announced, which I suspect will be after the trilogy is complete so that EA can really hype it up.

  • DaemonSpawn #45 2 years ago

    The more people will play Mass Effect, the better. The game is already multi-platform, so no design sacrifices are needed, and extra million copies sold will hopefully convince EA to not interfere with Bioware's development process.

    Let's just hope PS3 port won't get in the way of Mass Effect 3!

  • Murton #46 2 years ago

    Is there any reason why they don't just say "No, it will not come to the PS3"?

    Because it eventually will?

  • Cider-X #47 2 years ago

    Speciel edition Mass effect 1 on PS3 with the performance and gameplay enhancements of Mass Effect 2 on 360 = day 1

  • Collymilad #48 2 years ago

    Anyone who thinks this will come to PS3 before all 3 come out is deluded.

    This is one of THE major games that MS has exclusive (console-wise, and since a lot of people are "console only" we're talking about Sony and MS here), and you can bet your ass they will get their wallet out if EA/BioWare start talking about a PS3 port. I reckon it will come out after all 3 as a box set, as other people have stated.

    I personally hope it does, because everyone deserves this, best game in absolutely ages in my opinion.

    "Is there any reason why they don't just say "No, it will not come to the PS3"? "

    Er, yes? To keep options open. There's nothing whatsoever to indicate it's anything more than that. Bioware lose nothing by being vague - why would they "close" one avenue when they can keep it open to no detriment to themselves?

    You can't really compare this to other games, since it's trilogy and they have been making a huge thing of that. I doubt they are going to piss around making PS3 versions before all 3 are complete on 360.
    Edited by 2 at 03/02/10 @ 22:39

  • seanthejackal #49 2 years ago

    Cant wait till Bioware gets all the money microsoft stuffed down their throats out.