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[subversus]

UPDATE:


two great posts that provide dev's perspective on the issue:

Post #1
Post #2


the original:

Developers with access to the Durango (the code name for Microsoft's next console) are seeing costs rise sharply, primarily due to higher polygon counts and better textures required. "I'm having to double my budget for models," said one developer working on a sequel to an earlier title that appeared on Xbox 360 and PS3. "If we want to take advantage of Durango's capabilities it takes a lot more time for each model." This can also result in either a longer time to develop a title, or the need to put more artists on, or both.

Similar budget issues are expected for the PlayStation 4 (codename 'Orbis') and the Wii U. The Wii U's development costs will be higher than Wii titles due to increased resolution, but utilizing the tablet controller will also mean additional time in design. Some uses for the tablet controller seem obvious, like diagramming plays in a Madden game using your finger. Using the tablet controller in other games may be more challenging, depending on how much the developers want to create something unique for the Wii U (spending extra on that development that is not needed for other platforms).

At a time when many console titles have been finding it more difficult to make a profit, the prospect of doubling already considerable budgets is not making publishers happy. They are already looking to find ways to increase the revenue potential of their development efforts.

The article

200$ million budgets for Rockstar games confirmed.

 

[Wario64]

I'm fully embracing this inevitable video game crash

 

[Anteater]

I would be fine with them using the same assets as this gen and render them in 1080p and 60fps, maybe better draw distance, more enemies on screen.

 

[Tajin]

Does this mean Shenmue 3 might be delayed?

 

[iamvin22]

 

[GrotesqueBeauty]

Wii U not a "full" generational leap = d00med!

Development costs double for next gen = d00med!

 

[WhyMe6]

Hurry up Euclideon, the industry needs saving.

Does this mean Shenmue 3 might be delayed?

It's a shame such an emphasis is placed on graphics. I mean, sure, I'm a whore for them, but for games I really want just scale them up to 1080p. I don't care about the textures/models!

I'll happily play Shenmue III on the Durango with current gen graphics. Hell, I'll take it with last-last gen graphics!

 

[bigtroyjon]

Doesn't say that total costs will double, just says the costs for models have doubled. What percent that is of a total games budget I have no idea

 

[Auto_aim1]

Well that's the case at the start of every gen, but it should stabilize after a few years.

 

[subversus]

Doesn't say that total costs will double, just says the costs for models have doubled. What percent that is of a total games budget I have no idea

since any object you see in any game is a model...

 

[Card Boy]

$70-80 games next gen

Spoiler

(still with on disc DLC)

 

[99%]

Seems like they need to hire better people.

 

[rdrr gnr]

$70-80 games next gen

Spoiler

(still with on disc DLC)

Variable pricing models, please.

They should be happy they have a job!

Love your username, btw.

 

[Thunder Monkey]

Doesn't say that total costs will double, just says the costs for models have doubled. What percent that is of a total games budget I have no idea

Depending on the quality of all of them in the environment?

Could get pretty pricey. They are a good chunk of why development costs skyrocketed as much as they did this gen.

 

[subversus]

Well that's the case at the start of every gen, but it should stabilize after a few years.

yeah, stabilize at twice higher budgets.

 

[SparkTR]

I predict that AAA game budgets will get so large that only the five richest kings of Europe will be able to fund them.

 

[GrotesqueBeauty]

Seems like they need to hire better people.

Or better yet pay their dev teams half as much! Whoever "they" are.

 

[99%]

Or better yet pay their developers half as much! Whoever "they" are.

They should be happy they have a job!

 

[GrotesqueBeauty]

They should be happy they have a job!

99%
Junior Member
(Today, 12:44 AM)
Multi-Quote This Message Quote

 

[Team Filler]

I predict that AAA game budgets will get so large that only the five richest kings of Europe will be able to fund them.

 

[GraveRobberX]

The new boogeyman for the Industry after used games are done and the PS4 & 720 hit their median years

"Please stop buying New Games, you are killing this industry, don't you want us to create these beautiful worlds for you to enjoy, please fund by buying stock into our companies IPO, or learn How to E-Trade and save us from our incompetence & greed"

 

[nincompoop]

Durango budgets are going to be more powerful because it has more expensive shaders, a source told GI Biz.

 

[Castor Krieg]

Fun, console market crash means I can play more games on my PC.

 

[tsab]

i can spin it around. Because of the rise of dev.cost there would be no 3rd party exclusives next gen. And publishers would port the games to everything that powers on.

oh, of course they will abuse DLC more

 

[wwm0nkey]

So this pretty much confirms the code name and that dev kits are out there then?

 

[GraveRobberX]

Learn

To

 

[CountAntonius]

Fucking terrible.

 

[freddy]

Why are there two articles from this hack on the front page?

 

[bigtroyjon]

So this pretty much confirms the code name and that dev kits are out there then?

Why would this confirm it more than the other recent stuff?

 

[Pie and Beans]

I always hate these "costs double" scaremongering articles. Unless all a studio's 3d modellers are freelancers who have decided "right well, thats twice my normal rate now!", it just goes back to a case of having to better project manage normally wage paid employee's time.

Hell, the main problem most modellers faced once upon a time was getting high detailed models down in polygon counts to actually be useable for games.

 

[wwm0nkey]

Why would this confirm it more than the other recent stuff?

Well I know we already had that huge Crytek slip up. Its just further adding confirmation.

 

[subversus]

Why are there two articles from this hack on the front page?

reality hurts, I know.

 

[DefectiveReject]

See i really don't understand MS (Or anyone else who wants such high requirements in a damned global recession)

Companies have gone bust on this gen, and some are teetering on the edge.
There will only be a few developers left at the end of this generation

 

[IllumiNate]

This will be funded by the fact that the system won't play used games

 

[GraveRobberX]

If you thought Developers Closures this generation were something to pick up the White Knight Shield for and protect the Industry with every bated breath from all the PR spin put into you

You'll need to double the size of that shield... Oh the Irony!

 

[Auto_aim1]

yeah, stabilize at twice higher budgets.

Depends on a lot of factors, really. The cost is usually higher because developers have to figure out each system, create proper tools, see what works what doesn't, but it does look like budgets will rise sharply which is an undesirable thing. Most models created this gen are scaled down for current gen consoles, so its not really that bad as you think.

 

[DMczaf]

Is it safe to say Nintendo dodged a bullet by not going HD this gen?

 

[Deadly Joker]

Could this be an AAAA title?

 

[Grymm]

since any object you see in any game is a model...

So true and yet why isn't there a.. like a 3d model depot?

How many different ashtrays and soda cans and brick walls etc. does there need to be?

I mean you see EAWare using royalty free images for Tali, something they just googled, copy pasted done. Why isn't there an extensive 3d model depot yet where devs can just grab a model and be done with it?

It seems to me like there just has to be an easier way to do this stuff but they're making it hard on themselves. Custom textures, sure they'd have to be made as needed, but just picking a model up out of a repository or hell even scanning one from a real object, there just has to be a better way.

Even with animations why can't they just go the LA Noir route instead of handcrafting all that stuff?

 

[freddy]

reality hurts, I know.

Which reality?

 

[DiscoJer]

What I don't understand is why this is necessary.

Look at current gen console games. Then look at the PC version of the same game.

The PC version looks a heck of a lot better, runs at 1080p and 60fps. And if it has a DX11 version, has all sorts of better looking effects.

 

[subversus]

So true and yet why isn't there a.. like a 3d model depot?

How many different ashtrays and soda cans and brick walls etc. does there need to be?

I mean you see EAWare using royalty free images for Tali, something they just googled, copy pasted done. Why isn't there an extensive 3d model depot yet where devs can just grab a model and be done with it?

It seems to me like there just has to be an easier way to do this stuff but they're making it hard on themselves. Custom textures, sure they'd have to be made as needed, but just picking a model up out of a repository or hell even scanning one from a real object, there just has to be a better way.

Even with animations why can't they just go the LA Noir route instead of handcrafting all that stuff?

some comments under the article:

Bruce Everiss
CMO
Kwalee

Tools. Middleware. Libraries.
We live in an industry that delights in re-inventing the wheel. Repeatedly. And very expensively.
Development can be achieved with less obstacles between creativity and finished product, just look at the success of Unity.


Milos Tosic
Senior Engine Programmer
Blueside Inc

If higher poly counts and nicer textures are rising your budgets sharply (or at all) - you're doing it wrong.

Which reality?

unless you do drugs there is only one.

 

[Des0lar]

I look foward to Valve and Nintendo being the only ones left in the business. And then we rebuild this world. Better and stronger.

 

[Gahiggidy]

Not this guy again.

 

[Raistlin]

doubling budgets for modeling = doubling overall dev costs


it's fucking magic

 

[freddy]

unless you do drugs there is only one.

Eh, sorry dude, I have no idea what you're talking about. I was just commenting on the guy who wrote both of these articles.

 

[daxter01]

wait I thought art assets and character models are always created in high res and highploy shape and then devs downgrade it

 

[NBtoaster]

Don't see why this would happen. Assets are already created at high fidelity and then cut down into a playable form.
See the original Gears 3 models for example.

 

[The Emperor]

This is only gonna scare more devs off to iOs.

Anyway hopefully it's an over-exaggeration

Either way the age of the 3rd party exclusive is coming to a close.

 

[-GOUKI-]

Some of these posts in this thread....

Apparently the game industry is full of retards and everyone on Neogaf is an expert programmer, game developer and has extensive knowledge on how to run a business.