PS4: The 1080p 60Fps Dream

[MeachTheMonster]

The 30fps reality

PS4 launch looking real right now

Killzone:

When it comes to the tricky issue of control and response, Killzone: Shadow Fall currently delivers a largely 25-30FPS experience with v-sync engaged, where a long overview of the forest tests the hardware most. A strong trace of input lag is felt when turning the analogue sticks - a quirk that hangs over from the Killzone 2 days. It's a delay in response that is impossible to ignore after playing snappier low-latency shooters, and at the default 50 per cent sensitivity for the X and Y axis proved tricky to adapt to.Migrating to the new and more shooter-friendly Dual Shock 4 controller isn't the cause here, as this is the only game we test with such problems. Rather, the issue is likely to be the result of latency being built up over the course of a long and complex rendering pipeline.

Driveclub:

When questioned, Evolution Studios confirms that it's pushed for a full-fat 1080p presentation, falling in line with all Sony's other leading PS4 titles. Unfortunately, this higher resolution only amplifies the low quality, blurry, flat-looking textures used across this level, which would easily look at home on current-gen hardware. It's also a shame that, while the scenery draw distance is broad, there's an incredible amount of pop-in for trees and waving NPCs as we approach at high speeds...With regards to performance, we're surprised to find DriveClub is running at 30fps with permanent v-sync - an unusual step for any modern-day racer putting heavy emphasis on shaving seconds from lap times. It is noted that 60fps is something the team strives for, but no promises can be made; in the interest of providing a smooth E3 experience it remains decidedly locked at 30fps for now. Alas, even this number isn't held convincingly during our play-testing, and the game dips noticeably below this point - a feeling of 20fps being achieved during doughnut-turns, where lots of tyre friction smoke is produced. Bearing in mind the PS4's next-gen tech (not to mention its 32 ROPs), we're somewhat surprised to see alpha transparency effects still having such an obvious impact on performance.

Knack

That's the next-gen hook, but little else is in place to enthrall. The Pixar aesthetic is let down by some muddy image quality, and heavily dithered shadows. We're promised 1080p native resolution here, but Knack doesn't look as crystal clear as we'd expect from such a pixel count - perhaps in part owing to the HDTV settings being used at the exhibition. It's a real disappointment on the grounds of image quality, and while the transparency effect on Knack and the big, beautiful ocean view during the first stage are visual treats, there isn't a whole lot to the rest of stages shown. Certainly, the physics are impressive and technically taxing. All the bits and pieces that whip around Knack indeed feel like individual objects, taking advantage of the game's per-object motion blur. The only problem here is that, despite being a 30fps game in target, we see dramatic frame-rate drops when too many of these pieces go zooming across the screen to form a shell around Knack. To achieve this bullet-point trick, the performance has to take a noticeable hit in the current build. Excluding this effect, the frame-rate isn't smooth for the current built in general, and it stutters even as Knack trots through empty streets unengaged. There's no evidence of tearing, but this choppy motion is surprising given its overtly simplistic visual style. Fortunately it evens out during the later interior stages based around the mansion and cave, but some optimisation is still clearly needed on the game before the PS4's launch.

When it comes to the state of software development on PS4, the situation as it stands is surprising. On the one hand, freely playable first-party titles such as Knack and DriveClub suffer from noticeable frame-rate stutters down from 30fps, while on the other, "hands off" demos for the new Infamous and Assassin's Creed games appear to run without a perceptible hitch. This is in stark contrast to the playable software confirmed to be running direct from Xbox One hardware, such as Forza Motorsport 5 and Killer Instinct, which benefit to no end for targeting the 1080p60 gold standard, and largely succeed in doing so.

Such a disparity in performance is far from the outcome we had expected going in to E3, but Sony's agenda with this initial wave of games is clearly hinging on visual fireworks rather than maximising frame-rates to the full 60Hz refresh.

Gddr5

 

[Loose]

at this shyt "bu bu bu bu bu it has better hardware" Killzone still has input problems and dips below 25fps


just like last gen it's going to be input lag on top of terrible framerate with no dedicated servers.

 

[King Sun]

xbots lose again

 

[Loose]

xbots lose again

 

[STAN JONES]

 

[-DMP-]

1080p 60fps should be the NORM next gen. No excuse.

-DMP-

 

[daze23]

I wonder if console gamers would like an option to turn v-sync off

 

[Ayo]

Is anyone really surprised? The PS3 was supposed to be more powerful than the XBOX 360 too and look what the fukk happened there.

And everyone thought that the switch to x86 architecture would somehow make Sony capable of developing a competent next-gen platform.

 

[Loose]

at Cerny's Game running like shyt, when he was the one who planned the systems architecture .


playstation devs choosing gfx >>Fps and controls already just like this gen. it's the reason TLOU dips below 25fps at times.

 

[daze23]

Knack

That's the next-gen hook, but little else is in place to enthrall. The Pixar aesthetic is let down by some muddy image quality, and heavily dithered shadows. We're promised 1080p native resolution here, but Knack doesn't look as crystal clear as we'd expect from such a pixel count - perhaps in part owing to the HDTV settings being used at the exhibition. It's a real disappointment on the grounds of image quality, and while the transparency effect on Knack and the big, beautiful ocean view during the first stage are visual treats, there isn't a whole lot to the rest of stages shown. Certainly, the physics are impressive and technically taxing. All the bits and pieces that whip around Knack indeed feel like individual objects, taking advantage of the game's per-object motion blur. The only problem here is that, despite being a 30fps game in target, we see dramatic frame-rate drops when too many of these pieces go zooming across the screen to form a shell around Knack. To achieve this bullet-point trick, the performance has to take a noticeable hit in the current build. Excluding this effect, the frame-rate isn't smooth for the current built in general, and it stutters even as Knack trots through empty streets unengaged. There's no evidence of tearing, but this choppy motion is surprising given its overtly simplistic visual style. Fortunately it evens out during the later interior stages based around the mansion and cave, but some optimisation is still clearly needed on the game before the PS4's launch.

and games with all those particles was basically their gimmick at their reveal. it does seem like they've bit off more than they can chew, if they can't get it to run well

 

[Fatboi1]

at Cerny's Game running like shyt, when he was the one who planned the systems architecture .


playstation devs choosing gfx >>Fps and controls already just like this gen. it's the reason TLOU dips below 25fps at times.

TLOU in all it's sub 30fps glory is still better than 99.9% of the games on Xbox 360.

 

[A.J.Soprano]

1080p 60fps should be the NORM next gen. No excuse.

-DMP-

the 1080p/60 fps is a pipe dream for ALL next gen consoles.


Next gen consoles would only be able to run CURRENT GEN GAMES in 1080p/60 fps. As the technology advances more sh1t will have to be sacrificed in order to keep up, like resolution and framerate



Everyone who actually believed it would do it on next gen, especially years after launch was playing themselves.



Launch games should definitely be in 1080p/60 fps tho

 

[Fatboi1]

Is anyone really surprised? The PS3 was supposed to be more powerful than the XBOX 360 too and look what the fukk happened there.

And everyone thought that the switch to x86 architecture would somehow make Sony capable of developing a competent next-gen platform.

Look what happened?? Did you play the PS3 exclusives?? Did you see what happened there?? They were light years ahead of 360 games graphically and held shyt down for years. Still to this day there isn't a single title with graphics that look better than any PS3 exclusive on the 360. UC3, TLOU, KZ2/3, GOW3,Heavy Rain>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Halo, Gears, Fable, Forza. Graphically and overall.

You guys are clinging on to hope that you'll be able to play trash games at 60fps. Trash games is still trash games regardless of it's framerate dummy.

 

[Typical Knicks Fan]

TLOU in all it's sub 30fps glory is still better than 99.9% of the games on Xbox 360.

The Last of Us crashing phat PS3s. - NeoGAF

 

[Mr. Manhattan]

It's always the same 5 cheerleaders

PS4 deal with it fakkits