Why BM will (likely) never come to consoles

[vamp]

Hook your PC to your TV screen, configure a joypad for single player and off you go

[Maxey]

@BuzzKillington

@Maxey

From what I’m understanding, it would only be difficult in this specific case due to the Source engine not being ready for PS4 and XB1 (let’s not even mention WiiU because of obvious reasons).

As long as you have a good multi-platform engine, just do your normal QA testing as usual and then console specific certification, which is usually the most annoying part of the process.

Also, both console manufacturers are being very supportive of indie games, offering cheaper deals for dev kits and helping them out with the ports.

I’m willing to bet the main reason for them not doing a console version is really because of the engine.

I’d say that’s one reason. But also, they don’t have anywhere near enough resources that all the QA testing requires.

I think you might be underestimating the amount of testing they already do for this version of the game. I mean, do you think most of these other small indie teams that release games on consoles are super rich and resourceful? The team that is making No Man’s Sky is like 10 guys tops and is a way more ambitious game than Black Mesa.

I’d like to know more about your full-time job in the game industry you’ve been only so vague about that lets you know so much about the actual working conditions in the BM team that you’re so sure they wouldn’t be able to properly test a console version of the game.

[BuzzKillington]

@Maxey

@BuzzKillington

@Maxey

From what I’m understanding, it would only be difficult in this specific case due to the Source engine not being ready for PS4 and XB1 (let’s not even mention WiiU because of obvious reasons).

As long as you have a good multi-platform engine, just do your normal QA testing as usual and then console specific certification, which is usually the most annoying part of the process.

Also, both console manufacturers are being very supportive of indie games, offering cheaper deals for dev kits and helping them out with the ports.

I’m willing to bet the main reason for them not doing a console version is really because of the engine.

I’d say that’s one reason. But also, they don’t have anywhere near enough resources that all the QA testing requires.

I think you might be underestimating the amount of testing they already do for this version of the game. I mean, do you think most of these other small indie teams that release games on consoles are super rich and resourceful? The team that is making No Man’s Sky is like 10 guys tops and is a way more ambitious game than Black Mesa.
I’d like to know more about your full-time job in the game industry you’ve been only so vague about that lets you know so much about the actual working conditions in the BM team that you’re so sure they wouldn’t be able to properly test a console version of the game.

No, I didn’t say they couldn’t. What I implied was that it isn’t feasible. Also - I never claimed to know anything about the working conditions of the BM team - only what’s required by the console developer, in order to get them to allow you to publish a game for their console.

I work at Activision as a full-time Software-related Hardware issue Bug Identifier (TRG Team).

[Maxey]

Ok, now that makes things more clearer, but still the console manufacturers aren’t out there to make dev team’s life hell. They need games on their consoles, so I’m to assume they have to help out teams in need, while also constantly improving and making their tools easier to use.

You almost made it sound like it’s some nigh impossible task that only rich AAA teams can do, when I can just look at the amount of indie games coming out regularly from much smaller and less resourceful teams.

[JohnWorfin]

@BuzzKillington

snip

Why would they do consoles? They have released incomplete game, Twice. Consoles are definitely out of the question

[Crypt]

Retrospectively, they only released an incomplete game once, and clearly under the “incomplete” category.

[JohnWorfin]

@Crypt

Retrospectively, they only released an incomplete game once, and clearly under the “incomplete” category.

No, it was twice, both under the “incomplete” category as in they released the same game, incomplete, two times

[Crypt]

The mod version they released is more-or-less final, hence complete.
The EA Steam version is clearly labeled Early Access, and isn’t the same game. It’s incomplete, working towards completion.

[TextFAMGUY1]

Closing this thread as discussion is pointless. We’re not doing consoles, end of.