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[EvB]

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2017-hands-on-with-xbox-one-x-at-gamescom-2017

The roll call of new games is impressive: Gears of War 4, Halo Wars 2, Titanfall 2, Quantum Break, Killer Instinct, Path of Exile, World of Tanks and F1 2017 are joined by Rise of the Tomb Raider - the same demo we played behind the scenes at Square-Enix earlier, looking even more impressive as it was running on a much higher quality display. We can also confirm that all software was indeed running on Xbox One X hardware - production units were on display, fully wired up with hot air pumping out of the rear vents, in contrast to the cold, empty shells seen at E3 on many titles, with demos hosted on PC hardware instead. Put simply, Gamescom 2017 is the real deal, our first chance to get a look at how the new console performs across a relatively wide cross-section of in-development titles.

As expected, the Coalition's Gears of War 4 conversion looks exceptionally impressive. The lack of capture opportunities means that a full breakdown of the enhancements isn't possible at this title, but even to the untrained eye, the upgrade is substantial. At the most basic level, you're getting a native 4K version of one of Xbox One's most technically accomplished, visually arresting titles, backed up the high-end texture assets previously exclusive to the PC version of the game. Texture filtering gets a big upgrade over the standard console too, with none of the improvements having any kind of noticeable hit to performance. Gears of War 4's campaign did a great job of sticking doggedly to its 30fps target on base hardware - in addition to the big visual boost, Xbox One X hands in the same performance level point-for-point, based on the three campaign levels available to play through.

Regardless, the fact is that both Rise of the Tomb Raider and F1 2017 are adopting native 4K rendering in situations where PS4 Pro is checkerboarding instead, and that's a comparison point we really didn't expect to see. After all, this represents is a 2x increase in the native rendering resolution between Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, from hardware with a 43 per cent increase in compute power and a 50 per cent uplift in memory bandwidth. However, checkerboarding can and does really work well in delivering a great image for 4K screens. It'll be an interesting exercise to see how well image quality on these existing Pro titles holds up side-by-side with the native output from the Microsoft hardware.

downplay me if old

 

[ActiveRush]

So excited now after reading this article. Can't wait to see the improvements to Halo 5, Gears 4, CoD, and Wolfenstein. Glad I invested in a 4K monitor.

 

[Syrus]

Fucking love it. I hope this thread stays positive

 

[MaximusPayne]

 

[CalamityPixel]

Fucking love it. I hope this thread stays positive

You wish lol

 

[RedRooster]

Dang they might've actually pulled off a 4k machine, impressive! Can't say I'm not jealous, but I can't afford to switch back now.

 

[chadskin]

FWIW, Codemasters recently said F1 2017 will be checkerboard 4K on both Pro and X, presumably because of the performance issues DF mentions.

F1 2017 will use a checkerboard reconstruction technique to hit 4K resolution on both Xbox One X and PlayStation 4 Pro, Codemasters has told us. The decision between native and checkerboard was all about where it saw the “most important gains” in visuals, and checkerboarding left “a significant amount” more GPU resources available to spend on other elements of the game, with improved reflections, higher-quality track shaders, and enhanced shadow precision being some of the visual upgrades on offer.

https://ar12gaming.com/articles/f1-2017-hands-on

 

[Oemenia]

You wish lol

Let's see how many pages this thread will get.

 

[Yearsoflurking]

I wish i could get my amazon preorder in, this thing sounds like it's going to be a multiplat king 😢

 

[Christocolus]

Digital Foundry takes on Quantum Break, Titanfall 2, Gears of War 4, F1 2017, Shadow of War - and more.

As expected, the Coalition's Gears of War 4 conversion looks exceptionally impressive. The lack of capture opportunities means that a full breakdown of the enhancements isn't possible at this title, but even to the untrained eye, the upgrade is substantial. At the most basic level, you're getting a native 4K version of one of Xbox One's most technically accomplished, visually arresting titles, backed up the high-end texture assets previously exclusive to the PC version of the game. Texture filtering gets a big upgrade over the standard console too, with none of the improvements having any kind of noticeable hit to performance. Gears of War 4's campaign did a great job of sticking doggedly to its 30fps target on base hardware - in addition to the big visual boost, Xbox One X hands in the same performance level point-for-point, based on the three campaign levels available to play through.

Remedy's Quantum Break - announced on Sunday's livestream but not actually shown running - also hands in an impressive showing. We wrongly assumed that the no-show during the stream was because down to the lack of presentable code, but what we saw looked just as solid and as polished as the existing Xbox One release, again running at a very stable 30 frames per second. It was one of the few titles not shown running at native 4K, instead using the same upscaling technique as the base model, based on the accumulated data from four prior frames. Certain scenarios can break the illusion, giving us a look at how the technology works - and right now, we'd hazard a guess that the base resolution is probably closer to 1080p before the smart upscaling kicks in. Regardless, the increase in clarity over the Xbox One title again represents a night and day difference - and further on down the road, it'll be interesting to see what level of PC hardware is required to get the same presentation from the Windows version.

We knew that a 4K upgrade for Killer Instinct was on the cards, but again, it was a pleasure to see very final-looking code up and running and fully playable. It's an interesting evolution for the title - let's remember that it launched alongside Xbox One itself, rendering at a native 720p. A subsequent title update pushed it to 900p, but Xbox One X delivers a crystal-clear native 4K presentation with no performance drops we could spot. The only blemish to the look of the title comes from its video assets, which appear unchanged from the original and look decidedly low res compared to the pristine 3D rendered output. Joining Killer Instinct in offering a clean 4K, 60Hz output is Path of Exile - flawless in motion, and clearly delivering a full frame-rate, ultra-HD experience, as you would expect from a title of this scope.

The surprise package comes in the form of Codemasters' F1 2017. Similar to Rise of the Tomb Raider, this game is operating at a native 4K on Xbox One X, while its PS4 Pro counterpart hits the same 2160p output via checkerboarding. Image quality on this one is off the charts - if it's not a match for the top-end PC experience, it's very close. However, while the title targets 60fps, its current performance level often falls somewhat short, with dropped frames and noticeable screen-tear. We've not had the chance to check this one out on the existing consoles yet, so we'll be curious to see the extent to which the base versions at 1080p resolution compare in performance terms - and to see whether performance on PS4 Pro via checkerboarding is on par or better than what we saw here on Xbox One X.

Regardless, the fact is that both Rise of the Tomb Raider and F1 2017 are adopting native 4K rendering in situations where PS4 Pro is checkerboarding instead, and that's a comparison point we really didn't expect to see. After all, this represents is a 2x increase in the native rendering resolution between Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, from hardware with a 43 per cent increase in compute power and a 50 per cent uplift in memory bandwidth. However, checkerboarding can and does really work well in delivering a great image for 4K screens. It'll be an interesting exercise to see how well image quality on these existing Pro titles holds up side-by-side with the native output from the Microsoft hardware.

A clear uplift in visual quality is also evident in Titanfall 2, which presents very much as a mid-way point between the PlayStation 4 Pro version and the top-end PC experience. You get what looks like the Sony console's visual set, paired with the extra clarity found running the PC version at a higher resolution. In effect, all that's missing from the top-tier Titanfall 2 presentation is ambient occlusion and some shadow effects. The series' signature 60fps gameplay remains fully intact, with Respawn's demo level even stress-testing the engine with a huge arena of battling Titans. It's another palpable hit and the boost from base Xbox One in particular here represents another night and day improvement.

Talking with Monolith, we can also confirm that Shadow of War was indeed represented by a top-spec PC for its reveal at the Microsoft E3 media briefing. However, the Xbox One X version offers up a very similar native 4K experience, with performance ticking over nicely at the target 30fps - the only issues now cropping up in really packed encounters with hundreds of entities in play. Monolith really pushes its engine here and performance can dip but again, the developer still has plenty of time to address lingering issues. We'll also be looking at Halo Wars 2 in more depth soon, but initial impressions suggest that along with World of Tanks we're looking at a straight scaling of a 1080p30 Xbox One title to full, native 4K on the X at a similar performance level.

Overall, Xbox One X's Gamescom turn-out does what E3 didn't - it shows us a cross-section of titles from first and third party developers working on triple-A, double-A and indie titles, giving us an early look at how well game-makers across the board are getting to grips with the new hardware. We're told by Monolith that working with X is basically the same as developing for the base model, albeit with a far higher level of processing power to work with. The simplicity of development likely explains the consistency in results we saw across titles regardless of the source material. The scaling here is essentially in line with Microsoft's messaging, not to mention its internal early hardware benchmarks

And it's that consistency in results - from the games we've seen thus far, at least - that is heartening. With every new PlayStation 4 Pro game that comes along, there's a sense of the unknown about what enhancements are actually going to manifest, and the extent to which an investment in a 4K screen actually pays off. Just like Sony, Microsoft has left the door open to developers to do what they want with the hardware, but certainly based on the titles we've seen so far, the delineation between the two models looks far more clear cut - Xbox One X is the console for your 4K screen, and anything else in addition to that (like Tomb Raider's multiple rendering modes) is a bonus. It's an impressive early showing then, and with over 100 games set for X enhancements, the chances are we're going to be kept really busy from November 7th onwards.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2017-hands-on-with-xbox-one-x-at-gamescom-2017

 

[adamsapple]

Good read. Good to see the extra power being used as intended.

Really impressed that F1 is able to push 2160p on both XBX and Pro (though Pro is obviously using CB). The final image quality comparison between these two versions should be very fascinating.

 

[kevin1025]

Sounding real great. Looking forward to more impressions and comparisons to see where things end up!

 

[ryutaro's mama]

downplay me if old

Rarely do I post on this side but this was pretty good.

 

[RedRum]

This is impressive! Let's hope the performance can hold right alongside the visuals.

 

[SomewhatGroovy]

I'm going to be replaying a lot of older games, aren't I?

 

[shandy706]

After all, this represents a 2x increase in the native rendering resolution between Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, from hardware with a 43 per cent increase in compute power and a 50 per cent uplift in memory bandwidth.

Impressive stuff.

I'd honestly be fine with them cranking AA and Ultra effects with checkerboarding, but if they can get locked frame rates at Native then go for it.

 

[TheMoon]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1423142

 

[Colbert]

double post due to thread merge.

 

[SomewhatGroovy]

This all sounds really really good.

 

[ThanksVision]

between backwards compatibility, proper 4k/hdr media support, and the likelihood that this console WILL BE the place to play third party games (outside of a pc)... i am coming around on this. i have a pc with a 970 in it and for some reason I like the idea of getting a one x more than a new gfx card

are there any preorders left lol.

 

[J_ToSaveTheDay]

I'm hoping the actual existence of the Xbox One X makes more devs consider being a bit more robust with both their PS4 Pro *and* Xbox One X enhancements by making it more justifiable to pursue, since both the PlayStation and Xbox ecosystems now feature up-specced console SKUs.

I also hope that Microsoft absolutely doubles down and enforces enhancements they've universally promised, such as higher-resolution titles always downsampling for 1080p users -- it's been an awfully perplexing thing seeing devs actually withhold this from users with the PS4 Pro.

So far, so good -- just as promising, if not moreso due to specific call-outs like universal downsampling, than the lead up to the PS4 Pro launch. I just hope that having an Xbox SKU on the market influences more devs to consider taking advantage of more power that perphaps even more users will now have available to them across both platform ecosystems.

 

[jbug617]

DF says they will have separate articles for AC:Origins, Shadow of War and Halo War 2 going more in depth.

 

[Nikana]

Give me dat Gears!

 

[digoutyoursoul]

My only disappointment is Sunset Overdrive not getting any enhancements.

It's a cool box/upgrade, not surprised by early pre order buzz.

 

[Christocolus]

I see EvB already beat me to it.

 

[belvedere]

DF has always stated that proper CB implementation leaves a thin margin for difference to native. If that's true I wonder how many people would prefer those GPU resources spent in other areas. Resolution alone won't seem to make a meaningful image quality improvement over PS4 Pro it seems.

 

[dealer-]

At the most basic level, you're getting a native 4K version of one of Xbox One's most technically accomplished, visually arresting titles, backed up the high-end texture assets previously exclusive to the PC version of the game. Texture filtering gets a big upgrade over the standard console too, with none of the improvements having any kind of noticeable hit to performance.

Sounds great. Nice to see texture filtering getting a big bump finally on consoles.

 

[Equanimity]

I am excited for the Xbox One X. I'm not sure if it's going to be a day one for me but I'm definitely buying one.

I'm hoping the actual existence of the Xbox One X makes more devs consider being a bit more robust with both their PS4 Pro *and* Xbox One X enhancements by making it more justifiable to pursue, since both the PlayStation and Xbox ecosystems now feature up-specced console SKUs.

I completely agree.

My only disappointment is Sunset Overdrive not getting any enhancements.

Yeah, I hope they consider a patch for SO.

 

[Colbert]

I see EvB already beat me to it. http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1423142
Could one of the mods help close this thread?

Or better: MERGE

 

[J@hranimo]

Fucking love it. I hope this thread stays positive

Not on neogaf.com, Sony fanboy central lol.

Glad to hear that MS got a nice and beefy home console with substantial improvements for these older games.

 

[dugdug]

Am I reading that incorrectly or does he say "the roll call of new games is impressive" and then immediately follows it with old games?

Very curious to see Gears, though. I thought it already looked great on my S.

 

[cakely]

Regardless, the fact is that both Rise of the Tomb Raider and F1 2017 are adopting native 4K rendering in situations where PS4 Pro is checkerboarding instead, and that's a comparison point we really didn't expect to see. After all, this represents is a 2x increase in the native rendering resolution between Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, from hardware with a 43 per cent increase in compute power and a 50 per cent uplift in memory bandwidth.

That's both unexpected and really impressive. I wonder how they did it?

Not on neogaf.com, Sony fanboy central lol.

Just. Stop. Seriously. This thread has been positive except for posts like yours.

 

[VincentMatts]

between backwards compatibility, proper 4k/hdr media support, and the likelihood that this console WILL BE the place to play third party games (outside of a pc)... i am coming around on this. i have a pc with a 970 in it and for some reason I like the idea of getting a one x more than a new gfx card

are there any preorders left lol.

Not as of now, but I'm sure they'll add more soon

 

[ornery]

Not on neogaf.com, Sony fanboy central lol.

Glad to hear that MS got a nice and beefy home console with substantial improvements for these older games.

Its posts like these that derail threads, honestly.

Might trade in my PSPro for this. On the fence.

 

[JaggedSac]

Forgot KI was getting an update to 4k. Will have to go back to that one and get my ass thoroughly handed to me in online again and then quit again, lol.

 

[tokenflipguy]

I am excited for the Xbox One X. I'm not sure if it's going to be a day one for me but I'm definitely buying one.



I completely agree.



Yeah, I hope they consider a patch for SO.

This, it'll light a fire on devs' asses.

 

[Colbert]

3rd time I am posting this LOL

WOW

And it's that consistency in results - from the games we've seen thus far, at least - that is heartening. With every new PlayStation 4 Pro game that comes along, there's a sense of the unknown about what enhancements are actually going to manifest, and the extent to which an investment in a 4K screen actually pays off. Just like Sony, Microsoft has left the door open to developers to do what they want with the hardware, but certainly based on the titles we've seen so far, the delineation between the two models looks far more clear cut - Xbox One X is the console for your 4K screen, and anything else in addition to that (like Tomb Raider's multiple rendering modes) is a bonus. It's an impressive early showing then, and with over 100 games set for X enhancements, the chances are we're going to be kept really busy from November 7th onwards.

 

[m23]

The upgrades to the games sound great. I just need to find the money now...

 

[bryanee]

Not on neogaf.com, Sony fanboy central lol.

You expect it to stay positive spouting this bullshit?

 

[Christocolus]

Or better: MERGE

That would work too.

 

[flkraven]

Man, I never bought Rise of the Tomb Raider but I loved the first one. I would have never imagine that one of my most hyped games would be a game that is 2 years old.

 

[Boke1879]

Not on neogaf.com, Sony fanboy central lol.

Glad to hear that MS got a nice and beefy home console with substantial improvements for these older games.

Congrats on this stupid post.



On topic. Good for the improvements. Seems like devs are really using the extra power. I also hope this puts pressure on devs to put in a bit more work with their Pro enhancements as well.

 

[RichiRamjag]

I'm hoping the actual existence of the Xbox One X makes more devs consider being a bit more robust with both their PS4 Pro *and* Xbox One X enhancements by making it more justifiable to pursue, since both the PlayStation and Xbox ecosystems now feature up-specced console SKUs.

I also hope that Microsoft absolutely doubles down and enforces enhancements they've universally promised, such as higher-resolution titles always downsampling for 1080p users -- it's been an awfully perplexing thing seeing devs actually withhold this from users with the PS4 Pro.

So far, so good -- just as promising, if not moreso due to specific call-outs like universal downsampling, than the lead up to the PS4 Pro launch. I just hope that having an Xbox SKU on the market influences more devs to consider taking advantage of more power that perphaps even more users will now have available to them across both platform ecosystems.

Same. That was my initial problem with my pro, it didn't feel like devs were 100% on board. I'll be getting a one x, but I hope having both benefits us all in regards to devs focusing on the upgraded boxes.

Not on neogaf.com, Sony fanboy central lol.

Glad to hear that MS got a nice and beefy home console with substantial improvements for these older games.

Crazy enough, this has been the first real negative comment. Couldn't help yourself it seems.

 

[Colbert]

wrong thread.

 

[jayvo]

Killer Instinct at 4K resolution will be glorious. November can't come soon enough

 

[RedRum]

Its posts like these that derail threads, honestly.

Might trade in my PSPro for this. On the fence.

Pro trade in at gamestop is a set $200. Unfortunately, I don't even know if they're doing in store preorders anymore. It seems the average preorder limit per store was around 15-20.

 

[MaximusPayne]

Its posts like these that derail threads, honestly.

Might trade in my PSPro for this. On the fence.

40% on or off the fence?

Spoiler

 

[Christocolus]

DF seems very impressed.

Overall, Xbox One X's Gamescom turn-out does what E3 didn't - it shows us a cross-section of titles from first and third party developers working on triple-A, double-A and indie titles, giving us an early look at how well game-makers across the board are getting to grips with the new hardware. We're told by Monolith that working with X is basically the same as developing for the base model, albeit with a far higher level of processing power to work with. The simplicity of development likely explains the consistency in results we saw across titles regardless of the source material. The scaling here is essentially in line with Microsoft's messaging, not to mention its internal early hardware benchmarks

And it's that consistency in results - from the games we've seen thus far, at least - that is heartening. With every new PlayStation 4 Pro game that comes along, there's a sense of the unknown about what enhancements are actually going to manifest, and the extent to which an investment in a 4K screen actually pays off. Just like Sony, Microsoft has left the door open to developers to do what they want with the hardware, but certainly based on the titles we've seen so far, the delineation between the two models looks far more clear cut - Xbox One X is the console for your 4K screen, and anything else in addition to that (like Tomb Raider's multiple rendering modes) is a bonus. It's an impressive early showing then, and with over 100 games set for X enhancements, the chances are we're going to be kept really busy from November 7th onwards.

 

[dragonyeuw]

Not on neogaf.com, Sony fanboy central lol.

Glad to hear that MS got a nice and beefy home console with substantial improvements for these older games.

The lack of self- awareness in this post is magical.

 

[Shil Pencer]

Id kill for an X optimized Destiny 2. At least the king has returned..The King of Multiplats, but still King