Develop '09: SCEE R&D's new 'mini-dev' package in closed beta
Speaking at the Games/Edu strand of the Develop Conference 2009, SCEE R&D's Sarah Lemarie has confirmed that a PS3 dev kit designed for academia is now in closed beta.
"I have exciting news. We have started a PS3 Academic Development Programme, and we're refering to the dev kits as mini-dev kits, which I can best describe as being in a closed beta stage at present. We'll be opening this beta up slowly," confirmed Lemarie, who works as SCEE R&D's education contact and support infrastructure development team manager.
"Of course universities can use Linux to program on the PS3," added Lemarie, "but I would really strongly recommend that if you are interested in the PS3 you look into this, as the experience you will get over Linux is quite incredible."
The dev kit includes a consumer sized PS3 with a low power function, two USB ports, and a full SDK.
"We're making PhyreEngine available as part of this program," added Lemarie.
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This is some great news. Encouraging for aspiring developers and way to get to see and work with the sdk before hitting the field. I look forward to hearing more about this.
This makes me fear for the programmers that step up to the challenge at university. Some are naturally gifted and will put massive amounts of time in, but messing around with the PS3's 'unique' qualities could take up time spent learning the essensials.
I fear they will either end up making something that doesn't tax the system much, making it an expensive lesson in very little, or do too much and not have the people with backing and experience to teach them around it.
I think the news that PhyreEngine will be available to these students will make all the difference. They will be able to create games much quicker and smarter with it.
BC is right though: without PhyreEngine, PS3 would be very difficult to manage on a degree course!
This seems like an attempt by Sony to get in on the XNA style environment that Microsoft created. It quickly became easy to create academic courses based around it as both the console and the SDK were readily available and easy to use.
Sony's version however, isn't readily available nor is it easy to use, even with the PhyreEngine. I would be very worried about using this on a course, where the students couldn't go away and continue to learn while in their own time as they can with XNA.
@Rikki
Have you read the 5000+ pages of the PhyreEngine? :)
This engine is not representative of what you would find in the game industry (the proof is that no so many are using it).
I wouldn't recommend it for education, except for the student who are "just" level designers and want to try things quickly.
Concentrate on the real thing first, rather than using an engine that no one else uses.
What will this cost for non academics?
Oh dear god sweet jesus yes.
I love using my PS3 for developin in linux check this out if you want a go http://www.ps3linuxworld.com/
