Wed, Aug 04, 2010 | 10:47 BST
Capcom not expecting “dramatic” rise in development costs with 3DS
Prettier graphics? Bigger games? A whole new dimension?
Gee, that sounds expensive! But it really isn’t, according to Capcom.
“By employing our original game development engine the ‘MT Framework’, we are able to streamline the basic development processes with those for other consoles,” Capcom said during a recent investor Q&A. “Thus we don’t really expect to see a dramatic rise in costs.”
“The MT Framework is tailored to the unique features of each individual platform, and we upgrade it as needed. The Nintendo 3DS is one of the platforms for which the MT Framework is compatible.”
Now wait just a minute! That little spiel’s brushing up against the very sharp edge of the dirtiest four-letter word in the book: port. Is Capcom just gonna fling re-heated leftovers at Nintendo’s handheld powerhouse and call it a day?
“This doesn’t mean that we necessarily adapt a title to each console when we release it; rather the company comprehensively considers all the game elements when choosing which platform to develop the game for,” Capcom added.
Which could mean just about anything, really. So let’s see what Capcom has on tap for the 3DS so far: Super Street Fighter IV and Resident Evil: Revelations. One port, one original game. Seems like a decent opening pitch to us. But then again, maybe the nerd-fantasy-come-true idea of practically being grazed by a 3D Shoryuken has clouded our judgment a bit.
Thanks, CVG.
3 comments
#1
2plus2equals5
04/08/10, 11:12 am
I think that they are right.
3ds graphics aren’t a lot better than psp’s ones, also 3d effect have no additional costs because is realized rendering two frames at time.
So i think that 3ds’ average game cost will be near psp’s average game cost + ds’ average game cost + a little addition.
#2
Freek
04/08/10, 11:33 am
The way I read it is that their existing production pipeline is already suited for 3DS, with a few upgrades.
So that it doesn’t cost that much more to develop a 3DS game then it does a regular DS game.
Not that they just port over some left overs.
#3
2plus2equals5
04/08/10, 11:40 am
@2:The code may be the same, but 3ds is (imho not a lot)better than psp, so graphics and other contents are even more expensive than psp’s ones