Capcom struggles to port RE4 to PS2

[sabre2922]

According to the company, the PlayStation 2 is the source of some technological issues in porting Capcom's masterpiece.

In the latest issue of the Japanese magazine CG World, Capcom spoke out on the GameCube-to-PlayStation 2 port of its popular Resident Evil 4 title. According to CG World, Capcom has run into some technological problems while trying to adapt RE4 to the PlayStation 2 architecture.

One of the most problematic issues in porting the title has come down to memory size. The GameCube features primarily 24 bits of memory, whereas PlayStation 2 only produces 4 to 8 bits of memory.

Further, Capcom blames Sony’s hardware yet again when dealing with polygons. The GameCube version of Resident Evil 4’s main star, Leon S. Kennedy, pushes approximately 10,000 polygons, while the PlayStation 2 version currently renders 5,000. Capcom went on to say that the character model of Snake from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater on PlayStation 2 features 4,000 polygons, and that that was roughly the same amount of polygons that its villagers (which RE4 often features handfuls of on the screen simultaneously) are made up of.

That said, Capcom said that the PlayStation 2 does have at least one aspect to its hardware that could come in helpfully: the ability to make use of more textures at a time. Still, the publisher said that there must be a balance between the number of textures and the quality of them.

Currently, the PlayStation 2 version of Resident Evil 4 is scheduled to release sometime in late 2005, presumably as a holiday title for Sony’s console. Meanwhile, the GameCube incarnation has been on retail shelves since January 11, 2005.

http://gc.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=4247

[davidbrit2]

The GameCube features primarily 24 bits of memory, whereas PlayStation 2 only produces 4 to 8 bits of memory.

Hmm, I'd say that's just about the most nonsensical thing I've read in a while.

[kainemaxwell]

Doesn't surprise me too much. I think most companies have had issues with the PS2's hardware for ports at one point or another.

[EnemyZero]

silly playstation 2....

[slip81]

Good, it will probably look like ass compaired to the GC version then, maybe more people will go for the GC and keep the system alive.

[GobopopRevisited]

Or maybe Capcom will realise that they shouldn't spend *waste* the time or money on porting RE4, and stop. Then hurry up and finish Killer 7 and port Okami to the GameCube!

[Jive3D]

Great news for Nintendo Fanboys, capcom lovers and "I-told-ya-so"s alike.

I think that it's nice that in the end, Capcom didn't want to ostracize PS2 gamers (not everyone can afford to just go out and buy a cube for the sake of one game, not matter how cheap the thing is now.) BUT, I have no sympathy - it was supposed to be an exclusive game and this situation is pretty much like going back on your word - so give em hell RE4, you were meant for the cube (c'mon the cube needs all the help it can get).

[mr_nihilism]

I think that it's nice that in the end, Capcom didn't want to ostracize PS2 gamers (not everyone can afford to just go out and buy a cube for the sake of one game, not matter how cheap the thing is now.) BUT, I have no sympathy - it was supposed to be an exclusive game and this situation is pretty much like going back on your word - so give em hell RE4, you were meant for the cube (c'mon the cube needs all the help it can get).

I agree entirely despite not having a Cube. Now I have further excuse to finally pick one up. Besides RE4, I've always wanted to try Ikaruga and Double Dash.

[stevec1636]

Good i hope it never comes out for PS2!!! maybe some of these closed minded people will buy a gamecube now. Dam i am tired of people putting down the cube.

[BigGeorgeJohnson]

This is coming from a fanboy site which is using a french fanboy site as it's source.

I think this quote tells us how reliable or credible the source is.

"The GameCube features primarily 24 bits of memory, whereas PlayStation 2 only produces 4 to 8 bits of memory."

The Gamecube has 24 Mb's of Ram and 16 Mb's of VRAM, the PS2 has 32 Mb's and 4 mb's respectively.

I guess the PS2's VRAM can be boosted to "4 to 8 bits" when they need too x_x

With that said, I think everyone knows the Gamecube version will look better that it's PS2 cousin, but the fanboy's are the only ones who care.

I would rather Capcom release it on PS2 and sell a couple million copies and stay in business.

[autobotracing]

RE4 is one of the reasons I am buying a cube again when I get $ .


SO thats going to be months down the road .

[WanganRunner]

I would rather Capcom release it on PS2 and sell a couple million copies and stay in business.

Are they in financial trouble? It's not like Acclaim or anything, Capcom puts out no shortage of quality material.

[NintendoMan]

Interesting article.

[ddockery]

Porting a title like this to a console with a huge user base like the PS2 is like printing money. If they didn't make the obvious choices like this, they would be in financial trouble for sure.

[Mayhem]

"The GameCube features primarily 24 bits of memory, whereas PlayStation 2 only produces 4 to 8 bits of memory."

They're talking about texture quality here. Whilst the PS2 can shift more information about, the actual texture sizing pales into comparison with the Cube. Hence expect lower quality textures being mapped in the PS2 version.

Porting a title like this to a console with a huge user base like the PS2 is like printing money. If they didn't make the obvious choices like this, they would be in financial trouble for sure.

Which of course explains why both Viewtiful Joe games have sold more copies on the Cube than the PS2...

[suznjak]

still dont see why they wont do it for the xbox.it seems like capcom doesnt like that system.

[xaer0knight]

Or maybe Capcom will realise that they shouldn't spend *waste* the time or money on porting RE4, and stop. Then hurry up and finish Killer 7 and port Okami to the GameCube!

Okami, awesome game. I doubt American "casual" gamers will enjoy that game . For one i would love to play Okami, i've been keeping up with the title, it is still TBA for PS2 and no word of it coming to the cube :/

still dont see why they wont do it for the xbox.it seems like capcom doesnt like that system.

Capcom has put a few great game for the XBOX. Like Capcom vs SNK 2, its the best port, IMO. I hated the Cube Version because of the controller. The XBOX and DC pads are the best for 2-D fighters.

And I'm also sick of people bashing the little Purple Cube.

[ddockery]

Which of course explains why both Viewtiful Joe games have sold more copies on the Cube than the PS2...

You can't seriously be comparing a title like Viewtiful Joe to RE4. Viewtiful Joe is a fun game for sure, but there weren't thousands of people waiting to play a game that is essentially a cartoon. Most people that like games like this will have a Cube. RE4 could very well sell more copies on the Cube, but will easily sell enough on the PS2 to make porting it a no brainer.

[suznjak]

hey i dont hate the cube,i just dont like the fact that game companies skip out on porting some games on it(gta).as for the xbox,i wish they would put more than just 2d fighters on it.i would love to se an original resident evil on it using the xbox hardware.hell i'll take a port of 4.

[tonyvortex]

does anyone actuelly know if code veronica sold well on ps2 once it was ported?