Why Sony created the Cell processor

Many of us here have probably wondered "why did Sony create the Cell processor if its hard to optomise games for it", and many developers had similar thoughts. Well, here are my thoughts on why Sony made the Cell. Remember a few years back how Ken Kuturagi said that he wanted the PS3 to be an all-purpose machine and not a gaming machine, saying people will buy a PS3 even if it had no games? Well, thats the first step in understanding why the PS3 is hard to optomise games for, even though it performs greatly when using 'Folding At Home'.

The second reason was IBM. When Sony collaborated with IBM and Toshiba to make the Cell processor, IBM may have struck a deal with Sony that if they created the Cell to be useful for servers (instead of gaming), they might give a price cut from manufacturing costs, since IBM can benfit from having a good server CPU. This is just a theory, but it sure feels true if you consider that the worlds fastest supercomputer uses the Cell processor, even though this exact same processor is hard to make games for. Your thoughts?

To make 16,000 virtual chickens. No I am not making this up.

To make 16,000 virtual chickens. No I am not making this up.

xxastrocreepxx

wow..

is that a photo of KFC chicken farm?

Sony has made a lot of stupid mistakes. Cell is but one of them.WillieBeamish

Cell may possibly be their biggest one. Blu-ray has some usefulness for games since it has extra storage space, but Cell is just meaningless since it gives headaches for developers.

To make 16,000 virtual chickens. No I am not making this up.

xxastrocreepxx

you win teh interwebz

[QUOTE="WillieBeamish"]Sony has made a lot of stupid mistakes. Cell is but one of them.PandaBear86

Cell may possibly be their biggest one. Blu-ray has some usefulness for games since it has extra storage space, but Cell is just meaningless since it gives headaches for developers.

Have any of you been reading what devs have been saying as of late? Sure it is a little more complicated, but when you realize how to optimize it, it really has the power to do many great things for games. Many devs have the sku's handling all of the enemy AI, particle effects, textures, etc. While the main core can do other applications simultaneously.

Sure the Cell was loved and hated on when first revealed, but now I don't see anyone hating on it much at all. All I have been reading are positive things. Now I am not saying that it does not have its faults, but it appears that this was anything but a mistake.

About 2 years ago more people could agree with you as the thoughts from devs were spilt down the fence. But now most have really positive things to say about it. The only people really ragging on it are the ones on the other side (read xbox 360 people). And of course they are not going to compliment their competitors, so I don't really care what they have to say. Just like I don't heed what Sony says about MS.

[QUOTE="PandaBear86"]

[QUOTE="WillieBeamish"]Sony has made a lot of stupid mistakes. Cell is but one of them.HuhJustaBox

Cell may possibly be their biggest one. Blu-ray has some usefulness for games since it has extra storage space, but Cell is just meaningless since it gives headaches for developers.

Have any of you been reading what devs have been saying as of late? Sure it is a little more complicated, but when you realize how to optimize it, it really has the power to do many great things for games. Many devs have the sku's handling all of the enemy AI, particle effects, textures, etc. While the main core can do other applications simultaneously.

Sure the Cell was loved and hated on when first revealed, but now I don't see anyone hating on it much at all. All I have been reading are positive things. Now I am not saying that it does not have its faults, but it appears that this was anything but a mistake.

About 2 years ago more people could agree with you as the thoughts from devs were spilt down the fence. But now most have really positive things to say about it. The only people really ragging on it are the ones on the other side (read xbox 360 people). And of course they are not going to compliment their competitors, so I don't really care what they have to say. Just like I don't heed what Sony says about MS.

First of all, its SPU's, not SKU's. Secondly, John Carmack, the Godfather of 3D gaming says the Cell is virtually worthless and that the number of hoops developers must jump through to get games to run even close to how the Xbox 360's CPU runs them is ridiculous.

You obviously haven't a clue what a nightmare programming games for the Cell CPU is. You think that the SPU's are some magical coprocessors that are misunderstood, and once devs get the hang of them, its all peaches and cream. That couldn't be farther from the truth. The SPE's don't handle AI or physics particularly well, and you have to string most of them together in succession to produce useful data. Doing so increases latency because your pipeline gets longer and longer. I understand you are only doing your duty defending your beloved PS3, but you are fighting a war that was lost a long time ago.

The Cell just isn't designed for gaming. I have been saying this for months. General purpose CPUs are far more useful to developers.

The CELL and RSX were designed to work together.

The SPEs can be chained together to act like stream processors that help out the RSX.

Most multiplatform PS3 games have only been using one or two SPEs.

You can also have each SPE to do AI , physics and even lighting to help out the RSX.

The CELL can even render in full 3D without the RSX at amazing speeds.

CELL rendering 3D environment in real-time WITHOUT RSX.

The CELL and RSX were designed to work together.

The SPEs can be chained together to act like stream processors that help out the RSX.

Most multiplatform PS3 games have only been using one or two SPEs.

You can also have each SPE to do AI , physics and even lighting to help out the RSX.

The CELL can even render in full 3D without the RSX at amazing speeds.

CELL rendering 3D environment in real-time WITHOUT RSX.

Rikusaki

Still doesn't change the fact that the Xbox 360 is more powerful than the PS3.

Socatres said "all I know is that I know nothing."

I'll go with an expert like John Carmack's opinion over your opinion or my own opinion.

The Cell just isn't designed for gaming. I have been saying this for months. General purpose CPUs are far more useful to developers.

bungie93

To make 16,000 virtual chickens. No I am not making this up.

xxastrocreepxx

hahahhahahahahaha thats awesome!

[QUOTE="Rikusaki"]

The CELL and RSX were designed to work together.

The SPEs can be chained together to act like stream processors that help out the RSX.

Most multiplatform PS3 games have only been using one or two SPEs.

You can also have each SPE to do AI , physics and even lighting to help out the RSX.

The CELL can even render in full 3D without the RSX at amazing speeds.

CELL rendering 3D environment in real-time WITHOUT RSX.

bungie93

Still doesn't change the fact that the Xbox 360 is more powerful than the PS3.

Socatres said "all I know is that I know nothing."

I'll go with an expert like John Carmack's opinion over your opinion or my own opinion.

all of those are fact just about and the 360 was built for gaming and the ps3 was built for multi tasking

When Stringer took over Sony one of the first things he did was sell off the Cell rights. kuu2

[QUOTE="HuhJustaBox"][QUOTE="PandaBear86"]

[QUOTE="WillieBeamish"]Sony has made a lot of stupid mistakes. Cell is but one of them.WillieBeamish

Cell may possibly be their biggest one. Blu-ray has some usefulness for games since it has extra storage space, but Cell is just meaningless since it gives headaches for developers.

Have any of you been reading what devs have been saying as of late? Sure it is a little more complicated, but when you realize how to optimize it, it really has the power to do many great things for games. Many devs have the sku's handling all of the enemy AI, particle effects, textures, etc. While the main core can do other applications simultaneously.

Sure the Cell was loved and hated on when first revealed, but now I don't see anyone hating on it much at all. All I have been reading are positive things. Now I am not saying that it does not have its faults, but it appears that this was anything but a mistake.

About 2 years ago more people could agree with you as the thoughts from devs were spilt down the fence. But now most have really positive things to say about it. The only people really ragging on it are the ones on the other side (read xbox 360 people). And of course they are not going to compliment their competitors, so I don't really care what they have to say. Just like I don't heed what Sony says about MS.

First of all, its SPU's, not SKU's. Secondly, John Carmack, the Godfather of 3D gaming says the Cell is virtually worthless and that the number of hoops developers must jump through to get games to run even close to how the Xbox 360's CPU runs them is ridiculous.

You obviously haven't a clue what a nightmare programming games for the Cell CPU is. You think that the SPU's are some magical coprocessors that are misunderstood, and once devs get the hang of them, its all peaches and cream. That couldn't be farther from the truth. The SPE's don't handle AI or physics particularly well, and you have to string most of them together in succession to produce useful data. Doing so increases latency because your pipeline gets longer and longer. I understand you are only doing your duty defending your beloved PS3, but you are fighting a war that was lost a long time ago.

so you have programmed games for the cell?

[QUOTE="Rikusaki"]

The CELL and RSX were designed to work together.

The SPEs can be chained together to act like stream processors that help out the RSX.

Most multiplatform PS3 games have only been using one or two SPEs.

You can also have each SPE to do AI , physics and even lighting to help out the RSX.

The CELL can even render in full 3D without the RSX at amazing speeds.

CELL rendering 3D environment in real-time WITHOUT RSX.

kuu2

This is completely fasle. The RSX was created last minute by Sony. Originally there were supposed to be 2 Cell processors in the PS3. 1 for the the graphics and the other to handle the CPU duties. It was scrapped after Sony realized it would be to costly.

k fine!

but the ps3 is pretty neat if ya ask me!!

Then how come the World's Most Powerful Supercomputer is made up with CELL Processors?

Maybe cuz it owns?

[QUOTE="Rikusaki"]

The CELL and RSX were designed to work together.

The SPEs can be chained together to act like stream processors that help out the RSX.

Most multiplatform PS3 games have only been using one or two SPEs.

You can also have each SPE to do AI , physics and even lighting to help out the RSX.

The CELL can even render in full 3D without the RSX at amazing speeds.

CELL rendering 3D environment in real-time WITHOUT RSX.

kuu2

This is completely fasle. The RSX was created last minute by Sony. Originally there were supposed to be 2 Cell processors in the PS3. 1 for the the graphics and the other to handle the CPU duties. It was scrapped after Sony realized it would be to costly.

more more I read into the Cell there are two sides of the camp

one side doing GREAT things with the cell while another side just complaining.

IE look at MGS4 or Drakes Fortune compared to everything Carmack has been saying.

The SPEs can be chained together to act like stream processors that help out the RSX.

You can also have each SPE to do AI , physics and even lighting to help out the RSX.

Rikusaki

Serious? Thats cool then, I didn't know that both the Cell AND RSX can work together at the same time to produce graphics. Pretty neat stuff :)

more more I read into the Cell there are two sides of the camp

one side doing GREAT things with the cell while another side just complaining.

IE look at MGS4 or Drakes Fortune compared to everything Carmack has been saying.

jliebel

I agree.

[QUOTE="jliebel"]

more more I read into the Cell there are two sides of the camp

one side doing GREAT things with the cell while another side just complaining.

IE look at MGS4 or Drakes Fortune compared to everything Carmack has been saying.

Rikusaki

I agree.

me too

[QUOTE="Rikusaki"]

The SPEs can be chained together to act like stream processors that help out the RSX.

You can also have each SPE to do AI , physics and even lighting to help out the RSX.

PandaBear86

Serious? Thats cool then, I didn't know that both the Cell AND RSX can work together at the same time to produce graphics. Pretty neat stuff :)

[QUOTE="kuu2"][QUOTE="Rikusaki"]

The CELL and RSX were designed to work together.

The SPEs can be chained together to act like stream processors that help out the RSX.

Most multiplatform PS3 games have only been using one or two SPEs.

You can also have each SPE to do AI , physics and even lighting to help out the RSX.

The CELL can even render in full 3D without the RSX at amazing speeds.

CELL rendering 3D environment in real-time WITHOUT RSX.

Rikusaki

This is completely fasle. The RSX was created last minute by Sony. Originally there were supposed to be 2 Cell processors in the PS3. 1 for the the graphics and the other to handle the CPU duties. It was scrapped after Sony realized it would be to costly.

k fine!

but the ps3 is pretty neat if ya ask me!!

So you just admitted to making up total BS?

The PS3 is a complete failure from a technical standpoint. It was released a full year after the Xbox 360 and is less powerful. It goes to show that the Japanese really suck at computer hardware.

[QUOTE="some other guy that isnt rikusaki"][QUOTE="jliebel"]

more more I read into the Cell there are two sides of the camp

one side doing GREAT things with the cell while another side just complaining.

IE look at MGS4 or Drakes Fortune compared to everything Carmack has been saying.

Iceman2911

I agree.

me too

me three

k fine!

but the ps3 is pretty neat if ya ask me!!

So you just admitted to making up total BS?

The PS3 is a complete failure from a technical standpoint. It was released a full year after the Xbox 360 and is less powerful. It goes to show that the Japanese really suck at computer hardware.

talk about a lemming sometimes you got to let things go and I almost forget

[QUOTE="Iceman2911"][QUOTE="some other guy that isnt rikusaki"][QUOTE="jliebel"]

more more I read into the Cell there are two sides of the camp

one side doing GREAT things with the cell while another side just complaining.

IE look at MGS4 or Drakes Fortune compared to everything Carmack has been saying.

Rikusaki

I agree.

me too

me three

lol that actually made me laugh

It's just like the sega saturn's dual processors isn't it? They'll eventually find a way around it, although it could be a while until they learn how to do it effectively, just like with the sega saturn.

This isn't the first time hardware has caused complications.

[QUOTE="Rikusaki"][QUOTE="kuu2"][QUOTE="Rikusaki"]

The CELL and RSX were designed to work together.

The SPEs can be chained together to act like stream processors that help out the RSX.

Most multiplatform PS3 games have only been using one or two SPEs.

You can also have each SPE to do AI , physics and even lighting to help out the RSX.

The CELL can even render in full 3D without the RSX at amazing speeds.

CELL rendering 3D environment in real-time WITHOUT RSX.

bungie93

This is completely fasle. The RSX was created last minute by Sony. Originally there were supposed to be 2 Cell processors in the PS3. 1 for the the graphics and the other to handle the CPU duties. It was scrapped after Sony realized it would be to costly.

k fine!

but the ps3 is pretty neat if ya ask me!!

So you just admitted to making up total BS?

The PS3 is a complete failure from a technical standpoint. It was released a full year after the Xbox 360 and is less powerful. It goes to show that the Japanese really suck at computer hardware.

this jus shows how arrogant americans are. (see what i did there) and by americans i mean you.

[QUOTE="Rikusaki"]

The CELL and RSX were designed to work together.

The SPEs can be chained together to act like stream processors that help out the RSX.

Most multiplatform PS3 games have only been using one or two SPEs.

You can also have each SPE to do AI , physics and even lighting to help out the RSX.

The CELL can even render in full 3D without the RSX at amazing speeds.

CELL rendering 3D environment in real-time WITHOUT RSX.

bungie93

Still doesn't change the fact that the Xbox 360 is more powerful than the PS3.

Socatres said "all I know is that I know nothing."

I'll go with an expert like John Carmack's opinion over your opinion or my own opinion.

Then you will enjoy this article

OK, so the Cell processor is starting to show some marginal differences in graphics for the PS3 over the xbox 360. It's taken 2 years to unlock it's potential. Well, it's just too late. Why have your best graphics 2 years into a console life cycle?

I mean, even now it's got up to speed, its nothing special compared to the latest GPUs and CPUs. If it was producing MGS4 / KZ2 graphics at the start then for me it would have been worthwhile.

We're all expected to drool and be wow'd by the power and marvel of the cell, but how can we when there are much better games out there graphically. I know all console hardware takes time for devs to learn and you get your best gfx later in the console cycle but I feel we've waited too long to see anything from this supposed powerhouse that is the cell. I've seen too many games at ~600p resolutions to be impressed now.

[QUOTE="Rikusaki"][QUOTE="Iceman2911"][QUOTE="some other guy that isnt rikusaki"][QUOTE="jliebel"]

more more I read into the Cell there are two sides of the camp

one side doing GREAT things with the cell while another side just complaining.

IE look at MGS4 or Drakes Fortune compared to everything Carmack has been saying.

Iceman2911

I agree.

me too

me three

lol that actually made me laugh

yay! :)

want to be my friend?

[QUOTE="bungie93"][QUOTE="Rikusaki"][QUOTE="kuu2"][QUOTE="Rikusaki"]

The CELL and RSX were designed to work together.

The SPEs can be chained together to act like stream processors that help out the RSX.

Most multiplatform PS3 games have only been using one or two SPEs.

You can also have each SPE to do AI , physics and even lighting to help out the RSX.

The CELL can even render in full 3D without the RSX at amazing speeds.

CELL rendering 3D environment in real-time WITHOUT RSX.

nippon_gamer

This is completely fasle. The RSX was created last minute by Sony. Originally there were supposed to be 2 Cell processors in the PS3. 1 for the the graphics and the other to handle the CPU duties. It was scrapped after Sony realized it would be to costly.

k fine!

but the ps3 is pretty neat if ya ask me!!

So you just admitted to making up total BS?

The PS3 is a complete failure from a technical standpoint. It was released a full year after the Xbox 360 and is less powerful. It goes to show that the Japanese really suck at computer hardware.

this jus shows how arrogant americans are. (see what i did there) and by americans i mean you.

Its actually true. All of the best processor and Video card makers are American.

Intel, AMD, IBM, ATI, and Nvidia the only five businesses in the CPU and GPU industry are American.

OK, so the Cell processor is starting to show some marginal differences in graphics for the PS3 over the xbox 360. It's taken 2 years to unlock it's potential. Well, it's just too late. Why have your best graphics 2 years into a console life cycle?

I mean, even now it's got up to speed, its nothing special compared to the latest GPUs and CPUs. If it was producing MGS4 / KZ2 graphics at the start then for me it would have been worthwhile.

We're all expected to drool and be wow'd by the power and marvel of the cell, but how can we when there are much better games out there graphically. I know all console hardware takes time for devs to learn and you get your best gfx later in the console cycle but I feel we've waited too long to see anything from this supposed powerhouse that is the cell. I've seen too many games at ~600p resolutions to be impressed now.

DAZZER7

The best graphics for the PS2 didn't come until 5 years into its life, for at least the games I've played.

[QUOTE="nippon_gamer"][QUOTE="bungie93"][QUOTE="Rikusaki"][QUOTE="kuu2"][QUOTE="Rikusaki"]

The CELL and RSX were designed to work together.

The SPEs can be chained together to act like stream processors that help out the RSX.

Most multiplatform PS3 games have only been using one or two SPEs.

You can also have each SPE to do AI , physics and even lighting to help out the RSX.

The CELL can even render in full 3D without the RSX at amazing speeds.

CELL rendering 3D environment in real-time WITHOUT RSX.

bungie93

This is completely fasle. The RSX was created last minute by Sony. Originally there were supposed to be 2 Cell processors in the PS3. 1 for the the graphics and the other to handle the CPU duties. It was scrapped after Sony realized it would be to costly.

k fine!

but the ps3 is pretty neat if ya ask me!!

So you just admitted to making up total BS?

The PS3 is a complete failure from a technical standpoint. It was released a full year after the Xbox 360 and is less powerful. It goes to show that the Japanese really suck at computer hardware.

this jus shows how arrogant americans are. (see what i did there) and by americans i mean you.

Its actually true. All of the best processor and Video card makers are American.

Intel, AMD, IBM, ATI, and Nvidia the only five businesses in the CPU and GPU industry are American.

Thats because the Japanese are not big on PCs let alone PC gaming. PCs are bulky and take up a lot of space, so they don't fit in with the Japanese lifestyIe. Thats why its so popular to do everything you can with your cell phone, which are yeeeeeeeaaaarrrrsss ahead of American cell phones).

[QUOTE="bungie93"][QUOTE="nippon_gamer"][QUOTE="bungie93"][QUOTE="Rikusaki"][QUOTE="kuu2"][QUOTE="Rikusaki"]

The CELL and RSX were designed to work together.

The SPEs can be chained together to act like stream processors that help out the RSX.

Most multiplatform PS3 games have only been using one or two SPEs.

You can also have each SPE to do AI , physics and even lighting to help out the RSX.

The CELL can even render in full 3D without the RSX at amazing speeds.

CELL rendering 3D environment in real-time WITHOUT RSX.

ceruxx

This is completely fasle. The RSX was created last minute by Sony. Originally there were supposed to be 2 Cell processors in the PS3. 1 for the the graphics and the other to handle the CPU duties. It was scrapped after Sony realized it would be to costly.

k fine!

but the ps3 is pretty neat if ya ask me!!

So you just admitted to making up total BS?

The PS3 is a complete failure from a technical standpoint. It was released a full year after the Xbox 360 and is less powerful. It goes to show that the Japanese really suck at computer hardware.

this jus shows how arrogant americans are. (see what i did there) and by americans i mean you.

Its actually true. All of the best processor and Video card makers are American.

Intel, AMD, IBM, ATI, and Nvidia the only five businesses in the CPU and GPU industry are American.

Thats because the Japanese are not big on PCs let alone PC gaming. PCs are bulky and take up a lot of space, so they don't fit in with the Japanese life**** Thats why its so popular to do everything you can with your cell phone, which are yeeeeeeeaaaarrrrsss ahead of American cell phones).

I was just defending the point I made that Americans are ahead of the Japanese in computer technology.

When it comes to cars, gadgets, and robotics, the Japanese are ahead.

[QUOTE="DAZZER7"]

OK, so the Cell processor is starting to show some marginal differences in graphics for the PS3 over the xbox 360. It's taken 2 years to unlock it's potential. Well, it's just too late. Why have your best graphics 2 years into a console life cycle?

I mean, even now it's got up to speed, its nothing special compared to the latest GPUs and CPUs. If it was producing MGS4 / KZ2 graphics at the start then for me it would have been worthwhile.

We're all expected to drool and be wow'd by the power and marvel of the cell, but how can we when there are much better games out there graphically. I know all console hardware takes time for devs to learn and you get your best gfx later in the console cycle but I feel we've waited too long to see anything from this supposed powerhouse that is the cell. I've seen too many games at ~600p resolutions to be impressed now.

ceruxx

The best graphics for the PS2 didn't come until 5 years into its life, for at least the games I've played.

Because the true power of the Emotion Engine had to be unlocked.

OK, so the Cell processor is starting to show some marginal differences in graphics for the PS3 over the xbox 360. It's taken 2 years to unlock it's potential. Well, it's just too late. Why have your best graphics 2 years into a console life cycle?

I mean, even now it's got up to speed, its nothing special compared to the latest GPUs and CPUs. If it was producing MGS4 / KZ2 graphics at the start then for me it would have been worthwhile.

We're all expected to drool and be wow'd by the power and marvel of the cell, but how can we when there are much better games out there graphically. I know all console hardware takes time for devs to learn and you get your best gfx later in the console cycle but I feel we've waited too long to see anything from this supposed powerhouse that is the cell. I've seen too many games at ~600p resolutions to be impressed now.

DAZZER7

Graphics get better as time passes, this is true for any console, go take a look at a

Graphics get better as time passes, this is true for any console, go take a look at a PS2 game(s) from launch, it looks terrible, but now look at a PS2 game now like Okami or God of War 2, it looks terrible, but now look at a PS2 game now like Okami or God of War 2

[QUOTE="Rikusaki"][QUOTE="kuu2"][QUOTE="Rikusaki"]

The CELL and RSX were designed to work together.

The SPEs can be chained together to act like stream processors that help out the RSX.

Most multiplatform PS3 games have only been using one or two SPEs.

You can also have each SPE to do AI , physics and even lighting to help out the RSX.

The CELL can even render in full 3D without the RSX at amazing speeds.

CELL rendering 3D environment in real-time WITHOUT RSX.

bungie93

This is completely fasle. The RSX was created last minute by Sony. Originally there were supposed to be 2 Cell processors in the PS3. 1 for the the graphics and the other to handle the CPU duties. It was scrapped after Sony realized it would be to costly.

k fine!

but the ps3 is pretty neat if ya ask me!!

So you just admitted to making up total BS?

The PS3 is a complete failure from a technical standpoint. It was released a full year after the Xbox 360 and is less powerful. It goes to show that the Japanese really suck at computer hardware.

IBM Deep Blue

cell is not sony sorry

more more I read into the Cell there are two sides of the camp

one side doing GREAT things with the cell while another side just complaining.

IE look at MGS4 or Drakes Fortune compared to everything Carmack has been saying.

jliebel

The people who made Uncharted, Naughtydog (my favorite company evar between), are part of Sony. They HAVE to learn how to program and work with the Cell. In fact, they made the Playstation Edge Tools. For ID & Carmack, they have to waste more resources on learning how to work with the cell, from a developers PoV, Sony f***ed up.

[QUOTE="DAZZER7"]

OK, so the Cell processor is starting to show some marginal differences in graphics for the PS3 over the xbox 360. It's taken 2 years to unlock it's potential. Well, it's just too late. Why have your best graphics 2 years into a console life cycle?

I mean, even now it's got up to speed, its nothing special compared to the latest GPUs and CPUs. If it was producing MGS4 / KZ2 graphics at the start then for me it would have been worthwhile.

We're all expected to drool and be wow'd by the power and marvel of the cell, but how can we when there are much better games out there graphically. I know all console hardware takes time for devs to learn and you get your best gfx later in the console cycle but I feel we've waited too long to see anything from this supposed powerhouse that is the cell. I've seen too many games at ~600p resolutions to be impressed now.

spidadragon1

Graphics get better as time passes, this is true for any console, go take a look at a

Graphics get better as time passes, this is true for any console, go take a look at a PS2 game(s) from launch, it looks terrible, but now look at a PS2 game now like Okami or God of War 2, it looks terrible, but now look at a PS2 game now like Okami or God of War 2

Yep, I completely agree with but Sony have put even more of an emphasis on hardware that takes time to develop for. However, any advances in software optimisation cannot keep up with hardware advances. The PS3 will never in it's life cycle have the best graphics because by the time it has improved, we will have seen true next generation graphics on new gpu's and and even new consoles eventually. Why not make your impact at the beginning of a generation where tha playing field is much more level?