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Posted by: noodledog
Posted by: SonicJohn
I still like the idea of it being something to do with a game engine like UDK.
Yup, I'm defo with you there... somehow everyone seems to think it's an ARG or something, but like I said earlier this makes more sense. I suppose it's not really gonna strike people as a tech solution if they don't develop games. There was no coherent technology between titles until 3/ODST/Reach. It makes sense that while they have the time that they should develop something that will make them millions in it's own right, while also launching their next IP. I mean, they're going to be building new tech anyway.
Nowadays there is no point (nor is it practical) developing an engine from the ground up as it's all based on a time/money ratio. The more time, the more money- the more money, less time. Either way very few developers can afford to get a AAA engine together in the typical 18 months, support multiple formats AND still have the manpower left over to make a game, unless of course the tech is to be licenced. Almost every modern game runs on middleware components (rendering, physics, etc.) or complete middleware engines.
It's a hugely profitable business, and if Bungie can pull off a truly unique set of features and workflow solution (which they will), they will become the industry leader in a couple of years.
UDK is freakin' awesome... working with it now and it really does just tear apart anything else available to the budget of the hobbyist or indie dev, even if Epic do want 25%, it's a million dollar engine. And for most, the sky really is the limit with it. We've cut about a good 6 months off our own indie project by switching, instead of continuing with our open source work.
The new title is probably only just creative concept as of now. Most likely it'll be another 2-3 years before we get to see anything, and at that point it'll be probably a on a new platform... Which means the PS3 will either be out of the picture or will receive a lower quality version of the 'Xbox720' version. Love them or hate them, Microsoft are going to have at least 2 years on Sony this time around, because Sony simply can't afford to release another console as soon as Moneysoft can. I reckon X-Mas 2012 is a good bet, with some details mid-to-end of next year. Only a fool (Sony) would try and flog the current gen for any longer.
It's 3:43 here... The universe is telling me i'm right. :DThis would be awesome and a logical step for Bungie, but you have to realize that the game engine they use is Havok. However, their tech is so unique that I believe they could spend minimal time building a new base to transfer that tech onto, and then have their own engine. If I'm wrong and they haven't almost completely rebuilt the engine, however, Aerospace is very unlikely to be an engine.
Still, I agree with you that Bungie would almost immediately be thrown on top if they released a game engine for public (or even semi-private) consumption. As a game developer myself I can tell you that we would IMMEDIATELY ditch UDK for the Bungie engine.