Don't underestimate WipEout HD - Sony

By Tom Bramwell Published 13 March, 2008

60fps and 1080p make a big difference.

WipEout HD lead designer Colin Berry says that anyone labelled the game as a port of its PSP predecessors "should not underestimate the changes that 60 frames per second and 1080p visuals make to the game".

Speaking in a Sony Q&A distributed to the press, Berry pointed out that while the environments are from PSP levels, everything has been rebuilt in high resolution with improved lighting and a new front-end.

"In some terms its easy to say 'it is a port', but that is something of a disservice, the game has had an overhaul and a freshen up in many little ways which combined give it a strong identity and make it a solid game in its own right. We certainly don't regard it as a port."

WipEout HD, which is due out in the next few months on the PlayStation 3 Store, offers a selection of the series' best racetracks, 2-8-player multiplayer online, and a soundtrack featuring Kraftwerk and Stanton Warriors among others.

Once it's out, Sony plans to support it with downloadable content. "We are still deciding exactly what downloadable content we will release for HD, but hopefully we will be releasing additional tracks which could include a mixture of old tracks and brand new ones," says Berry.

"Additional ships and music are also on the list of downloadable content we hope to release. We are also looking into releasing an extra game mode or two via downloadable content, but the exact extent and feasibility of this, we are still looking into. So for the time being, nothing concrete, but plenty of options are available to us."

Check out our WipEout HD screenshot gallery for the latest images of the game inaction, or head over to Eurogamer TV to check out our recent exclusive trailer.

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 (59) Latest comment 4 years ago

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

  • lambtron #1 4 years ago

    If it is as good as Wipeout 2047 I am sold, port or not.

  • Darren #2 4 years ago

    I'm fed up of hearing about Wipeout HD... I just want to play it... NOW dammit!!! Sony have been promoting it for months now and there's still no sign of the actual game. By the time it *is* released I'll have lost all interest in it!!! LOL

  • HyperShadow #3 4 years ago

    2097 :p

    Well, you know they'll charge for extra ships/tracks. But will they be useable online, the ones in Pulse weren't, which kind of made the whole point of them null.

  • DonnieDarko333 #4 4 years ago

    Yeah i like the look of this! I wanna be able to control it better though! Say like F-Zero? Make it more simple....

  • peteb #5 4 years ago

    "WipEout HD, which is due out in the next few months on the PlayStation 3 Store"

    So is it not a proper release then? Like on disc and stuff? Looks beautiful though.
    Edited by 1 at 13/03/08 @ 09:41

  • JediMasterMalik #6 4 years ago

    Can't wait for this, gorgeous game, great racing, great features. GIVE ME WIPEOUT!

    They could have given it a better name, though now that I think about it, every game with HD at the end has been very good actually, GTHD (hey, it was free), SSHD, and now this.
    Edited by 1 at 13/03/08 @ 09:49

  • bad09 #7 4 years ago

    Wow, I know I'll get accused of "xbot" fanboy BS for this by the PS3 death squad but Wipeout is a strong playstation IP and the best Sony can come up with for their "super" console (which I am getting before the I love Sony crew start) is a port of a PSP game which I already own chucked on PSN?

    Something is very wrong with that.
    Edited by 1 at 13/03/08 @ 09:51

  • Steroyd #8 4 years ago

    HD is the new 64.

    I fear what they'd actually do in wipeout when the proper next gen retail game is released! o_O
    Edited by 1 at 13/03/08 @ 09:53

  • JediMasterMalik #9 4 years ago

    It's not "the best they can come up with", it's not even an alternative to a full PS3 wipeout, it's just another, earlier offering. We're still gonna get a full PS3 wipeout. And yes, your post reeks of fanboyishness, regardless of idiotic console "loyalty".

  • peteb #10 4 years ago

    @JMM

    I don't think it "reeked" of fanboyishness actually, in fact, it reeked less of this than your reply. He was just saying that for such a big gun he would have expected, like most people i'd imagine, for them to make more of it.

    Will be interesting to see the "proper" sequel though if this is what they came up with in a year!

  • Steroyd #11 4 years ago

    Wipeout HD is just like Socom Confrontation which is just like Gran Turismo Prologue.

    Each is a taster while waiting for the full release yet they're their own games in their own right.

  • JediMasterMalik #12 4 years ago

    Sorry, but anytime I hear someone claim that a game that looks this good, is a bad thing, I can't think of anything other than fanboysim. The game looks fantastic in it's own right, it's not just a port, it's more of a remake, and a damned tasty looking one too.

  • SBfistfun #13 4 years ago

    "should not underestimate the changes that 60 frames per second and 1080p visuals make to the game".

    It's a fucking port, simple as that, no amount of spin will change that.

  • aidey6 #14 4 years ago

    As Darren said, just hurry up and release it SCEE, I rather loved Wipeout Pure and Wipeout 3 SE on PS1

  • bad09 #15 4 years ago

    @ peteb

    Thanks JediMasterMalik is one of those death squad member I was talking about ;)

    @JediMasterMalik

    "it's just another, earlier offering. We're still gonna get a full PS3 wipeout."

    So are all the PS3 fans happy with paying for this crap while waiting years for a true PS3 title? Guess my PS3 will just be a BR player ;)

  • penhalion #16 4 years ago

    I'll wait for the usual 1080p revelation. You know, the one where the reviewers of certain sites point out that their frame grabber actually reports it as 720p upscaled.

  • JediMasterMalik #17 4 years ago

    @bad09 - Wait a second now, what makes this not a "true" PS3 title? I haven't got Wipeout Pulse, this features online racing, beautiful graphics, and custom soundtracks, it's perfect for me and many others who haven't got Pulse. If you have Pulse, then fine, go ahead and don't buy the damned thing. Yes, I'm perfectly happy paying for this "crap". And stop trying to defend your idiocy by calling me a death squad member. People like you will never be happy it seems.
    Edited by 1 at 13/03/08 @ 10:14

  • seasidebaz #18 4 years ago

    fact: stanton warriors took their name from a sewer cover.

    i agree with malik on this one as well, it looks stunning, and so what if it's a remake?

    from browsing the comments / forums, nearly everyone on here wants a remake of something (like burnout 2? system shock 2?)

    just cos it's sony remaking it, don't give it so much hate!

  • monkie_king #19 4 years ago

    Sure sure, this isn't a PSP port, GT5 Prologue isn't a demo, they're both fully-fledged titles swelling the ranks of PS3's massive AAA lineup ;)

  • seasidebaz #20 4 years ago

    @sbfistfun:

    so is sf2turbohdremix but nobody's bad mouthing that

  • bad09 #21 4 years ago

    @ JediMasterMalik

    Don't take it personally I was just joking with the death squad thing, what ps3 fans can't take jokes as well as criticism of the PS3? ;)

    I know what you mean, if you didn't have the PSP version then it would be worth a look. My point really though is THIS IS A PORT OF A PSP GAME. What the hell is that about? I don't care if its online, 60fps etc. it is a port of a handheld console game.

    It's just Sony are really ripping everyone off and the worst thing is you all seem to be fine with it. I love Playstation and always have but all I see from PS3 is serious milking like this or serious waiting for it's best IPs.

    Honestly, if MGS wasn't out soon and I didn't need a BR player I really would not bother. NOT a fanboy comment, a gamers comment from someone who has owned pretty much every console/computer over the years.

  • JediMasterMalik #22 4 years ago

    No, seriously, it's not a rip off. Firstly, it's not a full price game, it won't be anyway. If you've seen any of the screens or the gameplay videos it would be pretty obvious that a lot of work has gone into it, it's certainly not lazy. So what if they're trying to make some extra cash? They are a business after all, the fact that some people are excited by the game clearly means it's not a rip off for everyone. In fact there are quite a few PSP titles which are well suited to a home console, which I would like to be remade in this fashion for the PSN. I don't see how this is milking at all, considering how much work must have gone into it to make it look like it does. Besides, considering how badly PSP games sell, more PSP remakes on the PSN could be a very good thing for developers

    More games = good

    Regardless from where you stand.

  • miiiguel #23 4 years ago

    But Halo 3, is Halo 2.5, because it doesn't inovate, right ?

    Let me remind you of Halo review, 1000 flaming posts, thread: "more of the same"...; "seen that..."; "same shooter, in a prety suit"...
    Edited by 1 at 13/03/08 @ 10:45

  • Uncle_Fishboy #24 4 years ago

    I watched the video of this the day and thought it looked plop. Too clean and boring looking. Where's rain and different weather and lightning and shit. I want to scream through serious cyberpunk shit not this future tescos drabbery. This game looks bollocks. Bring back quantum redshift!

  • Darren #25 4 years ago

    Actually, Halo 3 was more Halo 2.25 than Halo 2.5 IMO. Good game, yes, but criminally lacking in innovation as far as the gameplay was concerned or even impressive HD graphics for that matter. Halo 3 is the very definition of "safe sequel". ;)

  • bad09 #26 4 years ago

    @ JediMasterMalik

    Maybe you're right, some did want the PSP GTAs on PS2 after all (although why they didn't just get a PSP is beyond me, they're great!). Maybe I am biased because I do have a PSP. I just think time and money would have been better spent working on a true next gen Wipeout.



  • miiiguel #27 4 years ago

    But WipeOut HD is the way to go! It looks nice and shit, and it inovates, and is not a port... or else!

  • JediMasterMalik #28 4 years ago

    Whether you have the game already or not, I just think it's very harsh to label it milking, and saying the ame is a rip-off, the structure of the game is the same as Pulse, sure, but they really od seem toh ave put laods of work into it creating the PS3 level assets. Still, opinions eh? ;)

  • GamesConnoisseur #29 4 years ago

    Lol at Miiguel!

    However I already have it on PSP but will certainly be happy to trade it in and play HD version just for the more smoother and 'zonky gfx' in my face, if you know what I mean.

  • bad09 #30 4 years ago

    @ Arbiter

    True nobody has a gun to peoples head but, to me anyway (as JMM said opinions) rather than giving PS3 owners true next gen games you get PSP PSN games like Tekken and Wipeout or crap like Prologue to try and keep people happy with the LONG development time. I just find it hard to except you are all happy with that, to me it seems PS3 fans are happy to make do and then get upset when people (rightly) criticize Sony for it.

    If Sony got their head out their arse and made some good exclusive true PS3 titles (and got the ones they are working on out quicker) they would sell a lot more consoles (although they need another price cut to combat the 360 cut).

  • seasidebaz #31 4 years ago

    what about capcom?

    they have updated the graphics on a game that came out in 199x on the snes and are charging people for it

    and nobody is complaining about that!!

  • miiiguel #32 4 years ago

    Anyway, don't get me wrong, I have no problem with "revamp" versions of good games (don't agree eith the "Prologue" stunt, though..., sorry, just don't). What I tried to express is that are clearly two diferent scales for the same situation, it just depends on which platform those "revamped" versions spawn.

    The same applies to this indulgence towards "long development time", like "yeah, it's an awesome machine, games take years and years to appear, they come in chunks, but it's not a platform problem..., it's fine..., at least we have movies in Blu-Ray with lots of extras and in different language - heck it's educational!".

    multiple-edits: crap english; and other shit.
    Edited by 2 at 13/03/08 @ 11:30

  • Beano #33 4 years ago

    "I'm fed up of hearing about Wipeout HD... I just want to play it... NOW dammit!!! "

    I agree completely - it was first shown 1 year ago at GDC 07 and I just wish Sony could get their fingers out...

  • Freeman01 #34 4 years ago

    @bad09

    "It's just Sony are really ripping everyone off and the worst thing is you all seem to be fine with it"

    Just as much as your probably happy with the crap that MS have on Live for 800 or 1200 points, or am I wrong?

    Yes Wipeout HD in your mind is a port of a PSP game, I like Wipeout and as long as its good I'll get it. I've also bought plenty of games on Live, but apart from Geometry Wars most aren't worth the money and a generally direct conversions of a crap 80's coin-op (TMNT I'm looking at you).

    It depends on the individual...if your happy to pay for it so be it...

  • Gaol #35 4 years ago

    I own Pulse on PSP.. which makes this an instant buy. Pulse is seriously f***ing awesome, best since 2097 without question.

  • Les #36 4 years ago

    "I'm still trying to work out how Sony can be accused of ripping anyone off."

    Very simple. Just state it. Facts are irrelevant and only complicate a rational discussion. Emotions and subjectivity for the win! ;)

  • bad09 #37 4 years ago

    @ Freeman01

    Actually you are wrong (well in regards to me anyway). There is a lot of crap on Live and MS do rip people off, as do Ninty. Look at Xbox originals very overpriced or the new ME add on, 400 points for one poxy planet mission. Mind you MS rip us off on accessories as well.

    Difference is I except that and actually agree, I can except 360 has faults just like all the consoles. PS3 fans don't tend to, they just deny it and say you are being a emotive fanboy (Les I'm looking at you) and try to justify the treatment they get from Sony.

    Edited by 1 at 13/03/08 @ 12:36

  • J.C #38 4 years ago

    I own the 360. and i will tell you right now, this game looks the bollocks! i loved wipeout on the PS.

  • bdc #39 4 years ago

    Fucking ridiculous that the developers are talking heavily about DLC before the game's even finished development. They really have no shame or qualms about gauging gamers' wallets even more than the initial game price.

  • Les #40 4 years ago

    "PS3 fans don't tend to, they just deny it and say you are being a emotive fanboy (Les I'm looking at you)"

    If you go into 360 threads and make silly remarks as you do here I think you'll find that 360 'fans' will react much the same... And for the record, I'm not a PS3 'fan'. I own the machine because it's the console that best suits my needs (in fact it's the only console that suits my needs) but that doesn't make me a fan. In pretty much the same way that I'm not a fan of my TV, of my dishwasher or my coffee machine.

  • bad09 #41 4 years ago

    @ les

    Actually many 360 fans are quite cricital of MS and don't seem to be as blinded by loyalty as most PS3 guys (in my experience anyway). PS fans tend to get aggressive and defensive about criticism and automatically label it fanboy nonsense (like you've done on many occasions Les including to me on this very thread, which was my point in the first place). Maybe, just maybe, there is a reason many people (like me) knock Sony without being fanboys.

    In what way are my remarks silly? I comment on things of interest to me, games and consoles, strangely that's what the comments are for. I'm not a fanboy I love games but I speak my mind, and unfortunately Sony give me plenty to disagree with. You and others may not like my views and accuse my of fanboy rantings but I'm allowed to give them as is everyone else, if you disagree tell me your view don't dismiss it as silly or fanboyism. If fact if you read though JMM raised many good points and I actually conceded to JMM that he could be right with regard to Wipeout. I find you tend to look down your nose to people in the tone and wording of your comments but that's your view so fine I feel no need to slag you off for it so why do you?

    As for "much the same way that I'm not a fan of my TV, of my dishwasher or my coffee machine." do you not look at the quality of the different brands available? If you buy a poorly made TV or dishwasher do you not complain?

  • DrDamn #42 4 years ago

    @bad09

    I think it's more that the points which you are highlighting are a matter of opinion and view point - people on both sides have to accept that. Are GTPrologue and WipeoutHD bad value? No necessarily, for quite a few people they are very worthwhile releases. For you maybe not. Your 360 examples are probably a bit more clear cut, XBLA and Accessory pricing for example.

    Sony have got so much horribly wrong with the PS3 that when they do something which some people are quite looking forward to then it is also understandable that they react when people piss on their chips ;).

  • bad09 #43 4 years ago

    @ DrDamn

    Very true but ALL comments are opinion whether agreed with or not.....

  • Les #44 4 years ago

    "In what way are my remarks silly?"

    In claiming that everybody should feel that Wipeout HD, GT Prologue, etc. are ripping people off. You might not feel said games are not worth your money, so don't get them. Others, e.g. without a PSP, might see the value in it. Both parties are right as it's just an emotion.

    And if I really have to explain the silliness of remarks like "So are all the PS3 fans happy with paying for this crap while waiting years for a true PS3 title?" I fear there's little point in trying to have a mature conversation (which probably isn't what you're after anyway with constant flame bait posts so let's end it here).

  • Les #45 4 years ago

    "Very true but ALL comments are opinion whether agreed with or not....."

    Very wrong. There are things like facts. They're not particularly popular around the EG comments sections though....

  • miiiguel #46 4 years ago

    err... one can post facts, but comments are opinions..., I think.

  • bad09 #47 4 years ago

    @ Les

    That probably why you fell they are silly. I feel you are misunderstanding my comments mate, I not saying everyone SHOULD feel the same way I am merely find it hard to except people are happy with PSP ports or half games. comments like "So are all the PS3 fans happy with paying for this crap while waiting years for a true PS3 title?" are rhetorical questions to reflect my opinion nothing more.

    I certainly don't feel I "flame bait" anyone on this site, I merely state my dislike/problem with the subject and discuss with you guys, well except for a few tongue in cheek ones for fun ;). In any case how can it be flaming when I am going to buy a PS3?

    As for mature? I find most of the discussions I have with people here are mature and have had some good debates (like this one mate!) and it's not like I don't listen to arguments of others or abuse them or slag them off if they do not agree with me.

  • seasidebaz #48 4 years ago

    @bad09:

    As for "much the same way that I'm not a fan of my TV, of my dishwasher or my coffee machine." do you not look at the quality of the different brands available? If you buy a poorly made TV or dishwasher do you not complain?

    bad reference, the ps3 is much less likely to break down (edit: less poorly made) than an xbox360.

    if you are referring to the fact that it is built "differently", then so what? i happen to like my ps3, and as i'm not the one (currently) developing for it, i couldn't care less if the processor was connected to the memory via a series of interconnecting wires or hamsters. microsoft basically copied the gamecube with its architecture. sony copied the xbox1. so what.

    search the forums for "remake" and see just how many people are happy with developers churning out the same stuff with a new coat of paint.

    while you're at it, search ssf2turbohdremix, that should prove that people like remakes (or are afraid of change)
    Edited by 1 at 13/03/08 @ 15:11

  • bad09 #49 4 years ago

    @ seasidebaz

    I agree 100% I myself like remakes of old games. Although I do have a problem with SSF2, they should have done it in the first place instead if the terrible SF2 they released before (looked worst than the SNES!)

    But is this a remake? No it's a lame PSP cash in (my view Les!) just like the GTA stories ports just that they spruced it up this time. I would much rather a true next gen wipeout to take advantage of all this alleged power (and not have to wait years for it).

  • GitSomE_UK #50 4 years ago

    Where is it !

    Want it now! Want it, want it, want it, want it... stop teasing and give it to me now!

  • GitSomE_UK #51 4 years ago

    BTW I've got a 1080p tv and after watching the HD trailer on it I think this game will be the best wipeout yet... it looked brilliant.

    I have pulse already on the PSP and IMO is the best hand held racer bar none. To get that with enhanced graphics, full surround sound, 1080P, MP, own playlist etc. will IMO be one of the major must have gaming experiences this year.

    /Goes back to Wipeout shrine and sits in self made Pirhanna made out of egg boxes and matches.

  • Les #52 4 years ago

    "I feel you are misunderstanding my comments mate, I not saying everyone SHOULD feel the same way I am merely find it hard to except people are happy with PSP ports or half games"

    I would feel the same way too if that was all that is available on PS3. But they're just part of the total content mix. Not every game will be liked by everybody, nor should it.

  • bad09 #53 4 years ago

    @ Les

    Yeah I suppose but I honestly don't see that mix, the best games on it can be played on 360 also. Yes there are exclusive but apart from Drakes Fortune none have interested me. In over a year that is truly disappointing, a lot of people feel the same which is probably why you get so many people knocking Sony. Sure that is changing but S...L....O....W....L....Y!!

    So when I see Sony (in my opinion, of course) waste time with watered down versions (or ports) for their best IPs when they could be doing so much more it annoys me so much.

  • Triggerhappytel #54 4 years ago

    This does sound a lot like bullshit - it's the same game in HD, who cares, it still looks great!

  • betahoven #55 4 years ago

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

  • Les #56 4 years ago

    "Yeah I suppose but I honestly don't see that mix, the best games on it can be played on 360 also."

    Which is a) not true and b) rather irrelevant if you don't own a 360. It goes both ways you know... But if you do own a 360 I see no reason to get a PS3, like I sad many, many times before.

    "In over a year that is truly disappointing, a lot of people feel the same which is probably why you get so many people knocking Sony."

    In general rather insecure little wretches that would still claim this even if the PS3 had received 10 titles with an average metacritic rate of 95% in 2007 (reviewer bias, you see)... And on top of that they also suffer from a poor memory. There are few consoles that have a top lineup (or a lot of games for that matter) in their first year. 360 had Gears after a year and oddball titles like Dead Rising and Lost Planet. Uncharted, Ratchet and Motorstorm don't compare that unfavourably.

    But of course 360 had a great second year (games-wise) and as that coincided with PS3's first they're bound to be compared. As would anyone do that is in the process of deciding what console to get. But looking to the future (which isn't very popular around here in certain circles) however uncertain it may be is also part of making an investment decision.

    But all of this is rather irrelevant (but amusing none the less) as Nintendo is laughing all the way to the bank...

  • 3william56 #57 4 years ago

    Yawn @ endless 360 vs PS3 wanking.

    Fooking WHEN is what I want to know????

  • zedzee #58 4 years ago

    It's a sup'd up port of the PS2 and PSP versions. The tracks come from the two and they even count the reverse tracks as 'new'. Sony Cheaters Studio Liverpool.

    It will probably cost too much in the UK and come out 3 months after the US release.

    Edited by 1 at 13/03/08 @ 23:52

  • Widge #59 4 years ago

    RE: old games. I'd have an HD remake of Final Fantasy 7 quite glady! Hell just having the PS1 original on PSN would be fantastic.
    I've stuck it on my PSP and I still get huge amounts of joy playing this now as I did way back when.