6 replies to this topic

[Kokirii]

Just a thought: since PSBone architectures are similar to PC and each other, should we expect to see less of an improvement in graphics and overall increased leveraging of the system throughout this generation since devs who have worked on 360 or PC know the architecture? Along the same lines, would we see more of an improvement over time with Wii U since it uses a more proprietary architecture?

 

Sorry if this is a dumb question or obvious.  I don't claim to know a lot about hardware but just had this thought as I was reading stuff from people who know more about hardware.  

[Azure-Edge]

Short answer: Yes and yes.

 

Long answer: Yes, the PS4 and Xbone are essentially just gaming PCs in console shells and this has advantages and disadvantages. The up side is that developers know exactly what they're getting in to. There's no strange architecture or quirks to the system that have to be figured out to push these systems to their peak. There's no Cell Processor this time around that can put out great performance but has to be worked with extensively to get those results. The downside is that because of this there is very little room for improvement. Developers already know PC architecture so they already know how to get the most out of both of these systems for the most part. What you see now is pretty much what you're going to get.

 

This is a big reason why a lot of them are bypassing the Wii U, it's an actual game console and not a gaming PC. No one has very much experience with a system like the Wii U and therefore there is still some learning that devs need to do. Take Wind Waker HD for example. They didn't just make that game to put out a place holder Zelda title, they made that game to get some real hands on time with the hardware to gain a more intimate understanding of its ins and outs.

[xile6]

basically.

Over time the devs will get better at the coding for the systems. So they will be able to turn out some better looking and working games.

 

But as a whole, graphic will get to the point where there is nothing to improve and the only thing you can do is up the pixel count.

[Chrop]

1. The best you can see now is the best it can get until a company makes an even more powerful engine that can work with all the added detail (Not sure if that can even work, just a guess). But until then, you're only going to get PC like graphics.

 

2. The Wii U can only get better from here, it's different from a PC and the devs need to know how to work with it, kinda like the PS3, no one knew how to use it at the start so the games we got were shiny PS2-like games. At the end of it's life we get The Last of Us. Although it won't be as much of a jump, it'll still be a very noticeable difference. It's why devs are saying it's underpowered, it's not underpowered, they just don't know how to use it yet. Thus jumping to that conclusion.

Besides EA, they just hate Ninty

[3Dude]

While xbone and ps4 are very similar to off the shelf pc (and tablet) parts, they are still closed systems.

No one making ps4/xbone exclusive games ever have to worry about any other specifications aside frm the very specific ones of the single machine they are making it for. Thus, they will still recieve the 'console benefit' from games made from dedicated studios. Ie, whatever studios and staff sony will still have left after they lay off 99% of their gaming division....

On the other hand, we have run full force into diminishing returns. Improvements, as they are seen by the average person are becoming smaller and smaller, while their cost, in both processing power, and time and money, is becoming larger and larger....

What we really, truly need right now, is not breakthroughs in graphics technology, but breakthroughs in asset creation technology, tools. Smarter, faster, more dextrous, more powerful tools.

[Scumbag]

The difference with PS4/Xbone is there is no hidden power to be unlocked this time around because like others have said they are much closer to PC than ever before both using x86 architecture.

 

Lazy devs will be in their element but should also be scrutinized for games not being up to par and since Sony have given them what they were asking for they have no excuse.

 

What will get better on those consoles is the game engines as the consoles mature that will look bigger and better than their launch games. Wii U totally different, it's a console in the purest terms with exotic hardware and there is much more to learn if devs want to get the most out of it.

Edited by Toilet_Snaker, 28 March 2014 - 03:23 PM.

[Kokirii]

Thanks for all the replies.  Very helpful