Will Next-Gen Hardware Be About More Than Better Graphics?

With each successive generation down through gaming history, fans waited with bated breath to see one thing above all else: the fancy new graphics.

Sure, better hardware also meant we could take strides in other elements of video games as well but let's face it, the next stage of graphical realism was always expected. Nintendo bucked the trend during this generation by releasing a console that wasn't designed to wow people with shiny visuals, and it worked beautifully. Well, it worked until the lack of software and the wearing off the motion-sensing fad led to where it is now; i.e., on the downward slope.

The question is, will the next machines from Sony and Microsoft be about more than just another graphical leap? And I'm not talking about motion sensing or 3D or anything like that; I'm talking about hardware that is built to enhance both immersion and artistic expression. If games are going to become more like movies, we need the proper vehicle; we need to give developers the option to open up the imagination vault. We need to give them as few limitations as possible. We need to give them the opportunity to create a mind-blowing blend of Red Dead Redemption and Heavy Rain. Remember when I wrote about that?

I really don't see the need to enhance the sharpness and clarity here and there, and make everything just a bit more impressive from a visual standpoint. I mean, I'm sure it's going to happen and we'll all appreciate it, but as gaming becomes more diverse and variously engaging in a multitude of ways, we need to embrace the entire concept of interactive entertainment, and this will require more than just pretty pictures.

Tags: ps4, playstation 4, next-gen hardware, new consoles

12/14/2011 10:41:57 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (64 posts)

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Rogueagent01
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 @ 11:01:19 PM
Reply

I really hope they focus on creating systems that can combat lag, obviously a little bit of a visual upgrade, and like you said make a system that allows the developers to create whatever they can imagine. It would be nice to see one of the systems try to build a developer kit into the actual system so that people at home can create their own games as well, and maybe even sell them online. There are a lot of different approaches they can take and I hope they push the envelope further than just graphics.

4 up, 0 down

mindmurderer69
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 12:06:07 AM

the dev kit would be nice but as the big company's frown on home brewing on current systems you might just be better off home brewing on your pc for a couple more console generations. they will belive everyone will pirate games thanks to the infomusly stupid hacking circles. they gotta ruin everyones fun and dreams.

2 up, 0 down

Rogueagent01
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 2:02:25 AM

Dev kits are already accessible to gamers it is just that you have to use a computer to use them. Unreal III has it set up to where you can make/mod whatever you like and then download it on your PS3. Plus Everyday Shooter was a game developed by one person outside the indusrty, let alone all the indie studios out there. It really isn't frowned upon, it just isn't built in to the current consoles and I believe they could easily put it into the next one(s) if they want too.

Plus I believe the first company to really endorse and implement this properly would leap ahead of its competion and really wouldn't have to ever look back.

EDIT: Sorry I almost forgot about LBP2 that right there shows that it not only is possible but is a players paradise. Many people out there can build games but since they lack certain crudentials or live no where near a studio companies won't take a chance on hiring them, and that game/dev kit gives those the chance to show that it can be done regardless of your backround.

Last edited by Rogueagent01 on 12/15/2011 2:09:13 AM

2 up, 0 down

Ignitus
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 8:47:14 AM

That's already posible this gen.

You can create your own game at home in your own PC and sell it in the Xbox Live Indie Games section of the Xbox Marketplace at $1, $3 or $5 dls. price points.

2 up, 0 down

Rogueagent01
Friday, December 16, 2011 @ 4:27:24 AM

Ignitus I think you misunderstood me. I know it can be done this generation, just not directly from your game console other than LBP 1 & 2. I would like to see a real dev kit built into the system itself so that people that don't own a PC could also have the opportunity to build games. It is something that is definitely within the power of these companies to do. And I believe it would also relieve certain amounts of stress from developers knowing that there isn't as much pressure to get their games out as fast as possible.

One of the major benefits that I could see coming from this idea is the death of the summertime drought. Where hopefully the people that become really good at using the kit could release their games in the summer to fill the void that we have to suffer every year.

0 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 @ 11:01:26 PM
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Graphic already meant nothing this gen, looks at games like Fallout, Elder Scroll, CoD, Batman etc.
Not the best looking games but still some of the highest rated out there.

And I'm really looking forward to seeing next gen's graphic, I can only imagine gameplay graphic will be identical to CGI graphic.

2 up, 8 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 @ 11:07:24 PM

Ummm...Skyrim looks stupid amazing.

6 up, 2 down

Kevin555
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 @ 11:15:50 PM

@Snaaaake,

"I can only imagine gameplay graphic will be identical to CGI graphic"

I am picturing Tekken 7 with the CG of Blood Vengeance.

My mind would be blown.

0 up, 1 down

TheAgingHipster
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 8:17:01 AM

Wait, you thought Batman and Elder Scrolls had bad graphics? Oblivion set the bar for the PS3 in terms of environment and landscape until Drake's Fortune came out, and Skyrim is regularly lauded as one of the prettiest games out there. And Batman is a slick lookin' title by just about anyone's standards, even if it's a bit dated.

3 up, 0 down

Neo_Aeon666
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 8:34:41 AM

While it is true games like skyrim look good they still had to cut alot on texture res and polys. I think I got *used* to this gens graphics and when I play a new game I am like: *Ah looks pretty... Then I find out while playing... Ah thats where they had to cut to make it like that. EX: Gran Turismo (lots of content weather and night racing but unable to have them all look good) or Forza 4 (pretty cars and trakcs but no effects whatsoever, no night racing, no rally and weather).

Guess my point is I understand why he says this gens games don't look that good. I can't wait for new hardware that will *remove* that limitation feeling from my head. Just like it did when PS3 came out.

Can't wait to see true 1080p, uncompressed textures that don't look like crap when you zoom on the wall. Lush environments that don't look like paper leaves and super high poly environments with life-like lighting effects :D That is something we are still missing on consoles. Look at 3D movies, when we get there it will be so awesome.

Last edited by Neo_Aeon666 on 12/15/2011 8:40:07 AM

3 up, 0 down

Qubex
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 8:40:52 PM

You took the words out of my mouth Neo_Aeon666!

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"

1 up, 0 down

PharaohJR
Friday, December 16, 2011 @ 9:08:38 PM

you must consider this is a console market. consoles must be priced below pc gaming but offer a quality thats reasonable enough for plenty to enjoy.

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LegendaryWolfeh
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 @ 11:02:41 PM
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Honestly at this moment. I really don't see any type of one thing a next console to grab at to be the next big thing. It's either slightly better than the already great graphics now, 3D, or perhaps get closer to PC design and start adding a ton of stuff and be a total media hardware creation, though that's kind of what the ps3 is now.

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Kevin555
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 @ 11:11:30 PM
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Not really fussed on all the 3D/motion sensing mumbo jumbo. Just give me super enhanced visuals, experiences like Heavy Rain & games with the potential of The Last of Us & i will gladly call it a day.

I would still be intrigued by whatever new technology & innovation they come up with but it's never a deal breaker for me personally.

Exciting nevertheless though.

2 up, 0 down

OPHIDIAN
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 10:09:27 AM

Questioning whether the ps3 needs an upgrade now.

1 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 @ 11:17:32 PM
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I'm not sure about how much better the graphic, can go, but hopeful that they can get-er-done..

I do see "apps" becoming a real biggie in our future to make it a truly "all entertainment" console(M$ has already added a bunch of new apps to their new updated XMB with more to come over the next few weeks).

1 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 @ 11:27:28 PM
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I think we have a long ways to go. I'm sure during the first year, or so, the next-gen may seem relatively surface level by way of design progression. But I have aboslutely no doubt the forward thinking developers will harness the added power and do their job at doing what the audience can not anticipate. It's how minds are blown, and I fully expect it to happen, sooner or later. Though, that's not to say I don't think this gen doesn't have a lot left for developers to play with. I'll be on board with "The Last of Us" if there's a new console debuting at it's time one way or another.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTNfGZTnp3c
Here's one of several SIGGRAPH trailers that displays what's possible with seemingly limitless graphics power. If games even JUST looked this good without any major strides in design progression, I'd be on board without thinking twice.

1 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 @ 11:30:57 PM
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Future games should be thoroughly complete productions. Imagine a game where chase scenes were as realistic as Gran Turismo, fighting mechanics as smooth as GoW3, an adventure as epic as Uncharted, and a story as moving as Aeris' end.

8 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 @ 11:38:18 PM

Seems like you've got everythig you need in the PS3, with that much variety any person should be happy. Throw all that together and yea that'd be a great experience!

0 up, 0 down

ZenChichiri
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 12:52:00 AM

Unfortunately we have people that only like particular genres so it wouldn't appeal to them. I think a game that includes multiple genres sounds awesome, but it would bomb with the masses (you know, because the masses tend to make stupid decisions).

EDIT: An idea popped into my head. I think it would be alright if you could choose whether or not you wanted to go about a task as a certain genre or not. Puzzle your way through, action your way through, race your way through, YOU decide. That would be cool I suppose and could very well work.

Last edited by ZenChichiri on 12/15/2011 12:57:49 AM

1 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 10:10:16 AM

Except if you chose to turn-based your way through, it'd just end up being an action hybrid.

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CrusaderForever
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 @ 11:31:19 PM
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Yes, we need an upgrade. I want the phrase low res textures to be put to death. I want pop up to be gone completely. I want the fog to be removed so that you can see for miles and miles. No more lag of any kind. I am probably describing the PS5. But I would pay a grand for such a PS console. Once my wish list is taken care of they can go crazy with their creative imagination with no limitations. So tired of limitations.

Also, I would like to see Rock Band 4 come out now or next gen that allows you to convert any song you want from any store bought CD. I guess from any legitimate Music download service would work to. RB4 would have the ability to read/listen to the song during conversion. Once it's done it will charge you $3 for the song and the proceeds will go to Harmonix and the artist! Now that would be the perfect console for me!

Last edited by CrusaderForever on 12/14/2011 11:33:17 PM

4 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 @ 11:36:01 PM

Problem for Rock Band ever since it's release is licensing issues for songs. That would still be an issue, we'd see the whole napster ordeal again! But if it could be done, how great would that be?!

1 up, 0 down

mindmurderer69
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 12:12:40 AM

no more fake band crap please it ruins the integrity of the musical instruments by "dumbing" them down, they should come with something like a band smith where you could use amps and mics to be able to hook up any instrument and play to any song. from guitar to piano, hell even the kazoo if one so chooses. make it the ultimate players choice

2 up, 2 down

Neo_Aeon666
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 9:00:38 AM

I really hope they go the way Rocksmith did with rockband. As it stands now I will never buy a GH or RB game again if they can't match it.

1 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 @ 11:32:48 PM
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As the industry progresses so does technology. I dot think the graphical leap will be what it was from the PS2 to PS3 but I do believe we will see a significant upgrade.

Aside from that I'm not sure what else we can expect from our
Consoles, other than having more memory and ability to create bigger more graphical games. 3d is here, ive never thought of it as a fad, and the more I see it the more I like it. The depth perception part really impresses me. There's 7.1 surround output, HD, we have movie apps, Netflix, hulu, the PSN and live. Honestly there's not many more avenues to take with the technology we have other than graphics and that's just what we have to deal with. I will never look forward to a virtual reality setup. Don't get me wrong it would be bad ass to have something like in the movie Gamer. But that's not why I enjoy games, and I certainly don't see myself enjoying them more within virtual reality. The same happened with motion controls. I love the PS move it's probably one of the most innovative peripherals to release this gen. But I still prefer my controller and a da** good story!

So with the PS4 really all I look forward to are bigger and more graphically rewarding games. Can't wait for Elder Scrolls 6!

Last edited by bigrailer19 on 12/14/2011 11:34:22 PM

2 up, 0 down

ZenChichiri
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 12:49:14 AM

We won't see virtual reality for awhile (well...affordable virtual reality that is), so don't worry too much about that ;)

0 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 7:57:39 AM

As per your Virtual Reality comment, how much would it suck to injure yourself while playing BF4 in Virtual Reality! Wow, just think the game would make you turn a 180 all the time, twist and ankle and then you cannot game for a couple of weeks! That would be terrible. I agree, it would be bad ass, but I prefer the couch.

1 up, 0 down

Godslim
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 8:54:43 AM

something like in the movie gamer would be so sweet or like tron u go into the game.
it would be a world where the unfit would suck at games :D

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bigrailer19
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 11:48:23 AM

Yea it would be pretty cool, I think the surrounding environment is what would make it very immersive. But when youre the player I just don't feel like the story would be there. I like living or playing out these fantasy settings, and the alternate stories.

Yea and I don't wanna be breaking ankles or anything. Sounds lazy but games are relaxing to me, it's the only time I get to relax!

1 up, 0 down

Russell Burrows
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 12:42:29 AM
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@Ben D.
Trick question:

How many multiplayer shooters feature multiplayer weapons??

In this area and other new options are where the increased hardware power will show new gameplay elements.

0 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 7:59:53 AM

That's a really good question!! The only game I can think of off the top of my head was Ghostbusters. It would allow you cross the streams for some major power. Otherwise, not sure if Unreal Tournament 3 allowed the Link Gun to be used as a multiplayer weapon, cannot remember.

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Axe99
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 1:54:04 PM

In BC1, BC2, BF3 or Warhawk you can have two people drive a vehicle shootin' stuff - kinda like a MP weapon? But aye, very unusual stuff. Would be awesome if they made RPGs and LMGs proper MP weapons (one person operating, the other supporting with ammo and the like), and stopped under-powering them?

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sirbob6
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 6:09:21 PM

Would Co-op in R&C A4O count? All guns are best when combined and there is also the gun that shoots people.

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___________
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 2:12:52 AM
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of course it will!
as insomniac said, next gen wont be about how much bigger and better we can make games, it will be about bringing new features.
like cloud gaming, or new networking capabilities, some new features we dont have now.
not to say we wont get better graphics with larger environments, better AI, higher destructibility, we certainly will but that wont be the draw, the main feature.

2 up, 1 down

Jed
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 3:02:47 AM
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With a new gen of consoles coming out, the graphics will no doubt be better, but not as huge of an upgrade we have seen with previous consoles. I think that 1080p at 60fps will become the norm, and textures will be smoother.

But the big improvements will come with gameplay, enemy AI, more complicated environments, and large improvements to online features and gameplay. I believe the characters are looking good enough, but the environments around them will looks much better, and the interaction with the surrounding environments will be smoother and be more polished.

I guess what I'm saying is that the graphics will not look too much better, but the actual immersion (interacting with enemies, environments, and simple mechanics of the game) will feel more realistic.

4 up, 0 down

Ultimadream
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 3:22:57 AM
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I'me expecting Advent Children quality graphics, if they can't make a leap anywhere near that, then there is no need for a new console yet.

I am still content with my PS3 and I'm at least expecting a Final Fantasy XV to appear on the PS3.

As many have stated, I would expect a new console to be upto date with standard resolutions, so every game should run on 1080p.

My biggest fear is 'innovation' a scarey word for thoughs who can't handle it. I fear directions where the industry has gone this gen progressing. DLC, Wireless motion controllers, paying for online. It's clear from Sony's PS+ service they're just trying to soften the blow for next console when its sim ilar to XBOX LIVE.

1 up, 4 down

daus26
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 6:43:11 AM

If I understand correctly, I don't think we'll be seeing Advent Children level of gameplay running in real time as soon as you might think. For one thing, that would be very expensive production for a video game. Second, I don't think the level of processing power can make a leap that far compared to CGI movies of today.

If you think about it, Ratchet and Clank Crack in Time have barely reached the level of detail from Disney's first Toy Story Movie, which was a late 90s film. Video games have been playing the catch up game for years now. With the upcoming movie of Tin Tin, it seems the bar have been raised again. So yeah, it would be too long of a wait, if we were to sit around till video games can catch up to CGI of movies at a reasonable cost.

But yeah, every game should be able to run 1080p with no problem next gen.

0 up, 0 down

Ultimadream
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 7:23:57 AM

Maybe but when you consider how far game graphics have come from since 1995, I wouldn't rule it out. I just don't want to get a 'PS4' and look back at my PS3 to ask why these PS4 games couldnt have been made on have been made on the PS3.

I would like to have more of an incentive to buy a new console other than to keep following the exclusives I like. Most of my favourite PS2 exclusive series went multiplatorm this gen (Final Fantasy, Tekken). I remember feeling so cheated that they appeared on the 360.

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xnonsuchx
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 5:35:50 AM
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While the PS3 and 360 have some titles with amazing graphics, 95-98% are still 720p or less to be able to keep a respectable frame rate and have to make a lot of sacrifices w/ textures and such due to memory limitations and performance. A real 'HD' gaming system should be able to handle 1080p native resolution and closer to 60fps for most but the most insanely 'busy' games.

That being said, I still think as long as a game is fun to play, how fancy the graphics and audio are don't really matter.

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daus26
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 6:34:55 AM
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Not sure if I understand this article clearly. I mean it's simple to me. The better the graphics, then the more powerful the hardware is. The more powerful the hardware is, the more open developers can vision. What else to it than that?

Anyway, if we look at the upcoming movie, "The Adventures of Tin Tin," it's pretty clear that video games still have ways to go in terms of visuals and fluidity. Surely, not next gen. Till then, creativity and imagination shouldn't really be limited by just hardware. Yes, hardware can limit it, but that's not an excuse to come up with nothing.

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daus26
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 6:47:57 AM

Wait, I think I get it now. Is it about bringing new innovation and feel to games? I thought it was just a matter of just the console, because obviously hardware alone can't drive a developer's mind. Other than more memory and faster processing power, it can't do much else. Can it?

If we're talking about non-gaming related things and the community aspect and entertainment purpose, then yeah, there could always be such features. K, maybe I'm still confused. :/ Sorry.

Anyone give me an example of what this article is talking about?

Last edited by daus26 on 12/15/2011 6:54:07 AM

0 up, 0 down

79transam
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 6:35:41 AM
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Bring on the holodeck :)

2 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 8:01:42 AM

Holodeck ftw.

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ekauq
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 6:36:28 AM
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Have to agree with using 1080p like most games use 720p today. Also think that the next Xbox needs blu-ray. Add support for full bluetooth audio support, not just for chatting, think Sony PS3 headset without the USB adapter. Keep user replaceable hard drives. At least 2GB of ram, if Sony wants to partition the ram again, then 2GB per partition. I'll throw backwards compatibility out there, but I'm not going to hold my breath. The base Xboxes should have a hard drive, not just something the size of a flash drive. Include a HDMI cable in the box, and a composite/s-video cable.

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TheAgingHipster
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 8:22:46 AM
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I'm with ya on this one, Ben. I love the graphics as they are. The only thing I would like to see improved is aliasing, draw distance, and the occasional screen tearing. (These were particularly bad in the newest Assassin's Creed, which is inexcusable.) Everything else is up to the designers.

Incidentally, in response to your "turn the developers loose" sentiments, the fellas at Naughty Dog said they're hoping to do just that with The Last of Us. If anyone can do it, it's Naughty Dog!

....and Quantic Dream, and maybe Rockstar... but Naughty Dog, too!

1 up, 0 down

Neo_Aeon666
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 9:15:37 AM

I wont ever be satisfied with graphics until I stop feeling the game has been hindered by limitations. And that is the case of all the games out right now. I agree they do look good. But I can feel they could have been much better if not restricted with low specs. I studied 3D and gaming design... Worked a few contracts and have lots of buddies at Ubisoft and EA. They all can't wait to get consoles with much more juice.

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Ignitus
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 9:23:31 AM

Hey Neo,

The companies you mention are said to be working on Xbox Next games already.

Any chance to find out what's inside the target boxes(development kits provided by MS with off the shelf parts close in performance to the final Xbox Next) they are using for development?

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TheAgingHipster
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 11:08:33 AM

No argument here. I'd love to see the things I mentioned fixed a bit. Even Uncharted 3 had problems like that. I frequently saw video out of sync with the audio, screen tearing, and other little graphical glitches. I can't help but think that would be fixed with more powerful hardware. But even a top-of-the-line PC doesn't have consistently photo-realistic graphics, and frankly, I don't need that to enjoy my gaming experience. Just give me a title that runs smoothly and plays well, and I'm happy.

2 up, 0 down

Neo_Aeon666
Friday, December 16, 2011 @ 3:36:08 PM

Sure! I'll try to get a lil info out of em. Might be hard because I know they usually have to keep this dead. I didnt even think about asking them lol now you got me freaking curious. Ill post it here if I can get any power comparison.

1 up, 0 down

Ignitus
Monday, December 19, 2011 @ 3:40:27 PM

I'll be looking forward to your response. Thanks Neo.

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wiley_kyotee
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 9:24:16 AM
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As long as the new hardware can run non-stop MP FPSs, all will be ok with the world. jk. LOL

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airwedge1
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 9:24:57 AM
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On the PS3 I think they need to keep the same base hardware framework, just add more processing power to it. Developers can then easily continue with what they have already started with on the PS3. It needs to be evolutionary rather then revolutionary.

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TheAgingHipster
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 11:12:56 AM

And more memory. Couple the multiple cores of the PS3 to faster processing speeds and more RAM, and you'll have a beastly machine.

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miro_the_cat
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 11:33:21 AM
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+1

Then the Xbox developers for a change will be complaining about the harder programming challenge whereas the ps4 developers will be saying 'oh we know this this is easy!'

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slugga_status
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 12:51:11 PM
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As far as graphics go, I disagree with most and think we'll see a big jump in that department. There's already a few screen shots and Epic CEO talking about Unreal Engine 4 which will likely be the standard. But then we're not thinking of exclusive studios and where they can take graphics (Quantic Dream, Suckerpunch, ND, Guerilla,etc.)

We'd definitely need 60 fps locked though..And there's no doubt we'll see more in the form of media as our consoles are turning into true multimedia devices.

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Axe99
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 1:56:38 PM
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I've got no doubt it'll be about more than graphics, but it's easy to forget that this gen was about a lot more than graphics as well. Compare the flying in IL-2:BoP with Secret Weapons over Normandy, or the AI in KZ2/3 with the original, or the sublime physics in Motorstorm (it was Motorstorm's physics that sold me on the PS3, not its visuals), or the number of enemies online at any time in a range of situations, or the way they animated the grass in Flower. More processing power means _so_ much more than simple resolution, polygons and framerates, and it'll be the same again next gen. Sure, there'll always be gamers that go 'ooh' at the pretty graphics, rip through a game in a few hours and move on, but there are others who relish the depth in the gameplay, or the world, that the extra processing grunt makes possible :).

Last edited by Axe99 on 12/15/2011 1:59:33 PM

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Highlander
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 3:40:00 PM
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I think that the one graphical advance left for games is real time ray tracing. It's the gold standard of rendering. If the next wave of systems had the computing power and memory to handle real time ray tracing and fully realized 3D spaces in the game including all the surfaces, textures, physical properties, particle effects, 3D audio and all the other bells and whistles. Then you're talking next generation.

Graphics resolution can hover between 720p and 1080p for me, but real time ray tracing seems to offer the last big leap in the visual technology

Apart from graphics, a real advance in gaming would be down to processor speed and memory. Take Uncharted for example. With sufficient memory world data can be constantly streamed in ahead so that there is no perceptible transition from area to area. Not only that but changes in game mode, for example getting in a vehicle, should be completely seamless to the player. So when playing the player never waits as the game switches from 3rd person to in-car view, there is no pause as the new level loads, no pause as the cutscene loads since it plays using the in-game engine anyway.

That would be how I would hope the next generation goes.

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Warrior Poet
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 4:02:15 PM
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Probably more powerful chips and more RAM, really. Gaming has always been advancing (somewhat blindly, I say) towards photorealism. The generation between PS2 and PS3 showed very few new gameplay developments - most of our favorite games could have been done with the older graphics or maybe less realistic physics but the gameplay could remain almost entirely unchanged. In the past, gameplay has been limited by the technical constraints, so each new gen brought gameplay that would've been impossible on the last. With last gen, we kind of reached that point where there's less innovation with our regular controller - and I still play PS2 games way more than PS3. It's pretty strange.

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sirbob6
Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 6:20:35 PM

I don't know about that. Outside of graphics there was a massive improvement of AI, physics and other features that made so many games so much more immersive and well, fun by changing how we play them. The enemy is no longer following a set and very predicable script. Physics plays a major role now, helping dictate puzzles in games like Portal and gameplay in any simulator. All of these are refinements upon last gens game play that the system could never really handle.

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SmokeyPSD
Friday, December 16, 2011 @ 7:16:18 AM
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In my view gameplay hasn't evolved for many, many years now. There have been small pockets of achievements but as a whole the industry has not had the term real progress. The pixels have been going up in a bitmap and not much else. Great new environmental, or physics effects in the end are meaningless in a shooter, your still running around, mindlessly shooting things. Oh look, another scripted event like that game I played 5 years ago (being generous).

If the next generation of consoles just shows and talks about photoreal visual demos I am just going to sit on my current consoles for a bit, I will have just become to apathetic to the inordinate excitement of the visual image that the masses have become accustomed to.

1 up, 1 down

Axe99
Friday, December 16, 2011 @ 2:30:22 PM

While there's no doubt that a lot of the 'mass appeal blockbusters' haven't necessarily pushed gameplay forward, there are _plenty_ of games doing things in a gameplay sense that you just couldn't last gen. It's a bit more subtle if you're just glancing over things, but physics, AI and animation have moved ahead in leaps and bounds this gen.

Further, better graphics isn't all bad in a medium that is strongly visual - it's like better sound quality for your music, which is also no bad thing. Of course, there's diminishing marginal returns (not everyone wants or needs a good amp and speakers), but I'd say there's still quality benefits just from graphics to game enjoyment.

0 up, 0 down

SS4
Sunday, December 18, 2011 @ 11:25:06 AM
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Well, any PC gamers would tell you what wrong with console graphics since they use such old obsolete hardware.

Now yeah we will get much better graphics next gen but we will also get more computing power and better multithreading so that mean there is a possibility for better/smarter AI and also support for more people in a game for multiplayer or just more things going on at once in a single player game.

Basically, everything should improve but its up to the Dev to push the new system and it will take a while for most of them but we will get a few gems(1 at the bare minimum) that uses the next gen systems decently at launch like we have in the past.

I am really looking forward to it, and also we will most likely get a price drop on current gen when next gen is out so its perfect for those who wants one of the current systems and game prices should also drop to so itl be easier to finish some game collections :P

0 up, 0 down

manofchao5
Sunday, December 18, 2011 @ 2:52:01 PM
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the next step I think it is for consoles would be properly accomodating enemy artifical intelligence, It can only go so far, but imagine how well it can test the current gamer's abilities
of course let the gamer toggle it so not to lose consumers all the way

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