PhyreEngine, Sony's new (free!) cross-platform engine

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Quietly unveiled at yesterday's PSN session was PhyreEngine, a new "free to use graphics engine" from Sony Computer Entertainment. According to the presentation, the package includes full documentation, "70+ samples" and "full source code and artwork" of sample game templates. Working on both OpenGL and Direct3D, this engine will allow developers to more easily develop for the PS3 by using PC environments they're more familiar with. A "simple recompile" is supposedly all that's needed to make the game run on the PS3. Sony is promising "ongoing development and support" for the PhyreEngine.

The ramifications of this subdued announcement are actually quite significant. Three titles have been revealed to have used the PhyreEngine for development: flOw, GripShift and DiRT. Of those three, only one is exclusive to PlayStation. It appears that the PhyreEngine is truly cross platform -- Sony is indirectly contributing to the development of PC (and Xbox 360) games.

But why make it potentially easier to make games on a competing console? Well, it's undeniable that developers are increasingly focused on multiplatform development. It's been rather commonplace for developers to neglect PS3 with inferior and oftentimes delayed versions of multiplatform games. With PhyreEngine, Sony is making a much more attractive plea: make games on PS3 first, guaranteeing high quality games that will not only match their 360 counterparts, but in many cases can exceed them. Sony's message is clear: start games on the PS3, and they will be better for both PS3 and 360 owners. It appears to us that PhyreEngine is a crucial part of that plan.

More details of PhyreEngine will undoubtedly be unveiled later today at a GDC dedicated to what Sony has dubbed "the new hotness." Stay tuned.
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Source & Photos - GDC08: PhyreEngine, Sony's new (free!) cross-platform engine - Joystiq

Good Move SONY !!!:hap2: :hap2: :hap2:
 
Desperate times call for desperate measures :P ! It was a brilliant move by M$ to ease development of games on x30 and make it much more easier to port the titles to the PC. A chunk of the developers clearly find this approach more economical.
 
Switch said:
This will hurt M$ pretty badly...
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MS released their version of this called the XNA game studio last year and have added more stuff this year.

They announced yesterday that user made content will be made available on XBLA.

I believe that Sony allowing for multi platform development tools is because of a larger set of games that are turning out to be easier to code on the 360. (Assassin's Creed, Orange Box,PES 2008, Madden etc are better on the 360.) So I don't see it as hurting MS but rather as Sony trying to catching upto MS

GDC08: Microsoft announces "community arcade" - Joystiq

GDC08: XNAnswers at the bloggers breakfast - Joystiq
 
Luc bernard wanted to release eternity's child on xbla but got sick of m$'s stringent rules and paperwork

so now hes shifted to the wii :D
 
nukeu666 said:
Luc bernard wanted to release eternity's child on xbla but got sick of m$'s stringent rules and paperwork
so now hes shifted to the wii :D
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The nice thing about WiiWare is that after you make the game, the game testing is done by Nintendo, reducing the cost to the company firther. There seem to be some nice concepts coming out for WiiWare.
[LostWinds sounds very interesting]
 
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