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Digital Foundry: Call Of Duty Black Ops 3 Face Off

Javin98

Banned
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAwff8w8Pog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l5k0zWBEeE

Some interesting bits from the DF article:
Ultimately, image quality on console has a very close relationship with rendering resolution, and it's here PS4 gains a considerable advantage: Treyarch uses a dynamic framebuffer in both platforms, but the implementation is less aggressive on PS4 with permanently higher pixel counts compared to the Xbox One game. When the engine is under load, native resolution drops down to 1360x1080, but much of the time we're graced with a native 1080p image. By comparison, outside of cut-scenes, the Xbox One game usually hands in a native 1280x900 presentation, with horizontal resolution dropping down to 1200 pixels fairly often. Not all cut-scenes are locked at 1080 vertical resolution either, and a few of these sequences get the dynamic 900p treatment too.

In comparison to the PC version, texture detail appears to run using a combination of extra and high settings on consoles, while mesh detail is similar in places to both medium and high. Most of the core artwork is a close match to the PC version using the extra preset, but ground details often feature lower resolution textures on consoles, while character texture quality usually looks the same. Geometry details on characters are a match for the maxed PC game too, though many environment objects are rendered with slightly less complexity - such as random debris and broken furniture scattered across the ground.

Elsewhere, anisotropic filtering operates using the medium preset on consoles, leading to blurrier textures at oblique angles, while shadow quality seems to fall somewhere between medium and high. These elements feature similarly dithered edges to PC's medium setting, but with less break up and flicker. Visual effects like motion blur, depth of field and subsurface scattering skin rendering appear identical across all three platforms. Ambient occlusion is a close match for the high preset, while volumetric lighting is a good match for medium settings on PC.
Cutting back on lighting, the amount of effects work and large set-pieces allow Treyarch to reign in performance so that we get far more closer to a stable 60fps throughout the vast majority of multiplayer matches. Occasional dips between 50-60fps create brief moments of stutter, but these last for a few seconds at most before the silky smooth 60fps lock is resumed. 

Much more here: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2015-call-of-duty-black-ops-3-face-off
 

goonergaz

Member
"Multiplayer is the saving grace for the game on both platforms. While resolution drops below the intended 900p on Xbox One, both consoles regularly achieve a slick 60fps experience with noticeable drops limited to explosive scenes. The PS4 version comes out ahead on the basis of providing a higher resolution, but the series' fast-paced twitch shooting still works well on Xbox One. In that respect the Sony platform has an overall advantage, but if you primarily play online, the Xbox One version is a solid choice if that's the platform where your friends are. Activision's marketing priorities have changed - and PS4 also has the advantage of getting DLC content ahead of other platforms."

lol
 

Javin98

Banned
"Multiplayer is the saving grace for the game on both platforms. While resolution drops below the intended 900p on Xbox One, both consoles regularly achieve a slick 60fps experience with noticeable drops limited to explosive scenes. The PS4 version comes out ahead on the basis of providing a higher resolution, but the series' fast-paced twitch shooting still works well on Xbox One. In that respect the Sony platform has an overall advantage, but if you primarily play online, the Xbox One version is a solid choice if that's the platform where your friends are. Activision's marketing priorities have changed - and PS4 also has the advantage of getting DLC content ahead of other platforms."

lol
I don't see what's wrong with that. They clearly gave the PS4 a win already in the conclusion, not like they just said this to damage control. The XB1 version is still mostly a rock solid 60FPS in MP.
 

AgentP

Thinks mods influence posters politics. Promoted to QAnon Editor.
I don't see what's wrong with that. They clearly gave the PS4 a win already in the conclusion, not like they just said this to damage control. The XB1 version is still mostly a rock solid 60FPS in MP.

Well it smells like more of the XB1 "choose the inferior version" excuse list. Not really required from DF, people just need the facts.

  • Controller
  • Friends
  • I can't see resolution anyhow
  • I like the XB1 OS better
 

killroy87

Member
Well it smells like more of the XB1 "choose the inferior version" excuse list. Not really required from DF, people just need the facts.

  • Controller
  • Friends
  • I can't see resolution anyhow
  • I like the XB1 OS better

If those are your priorities, then I don't know why you would even enter this thread in the first place.
 

Javin98

Banned
Well it smells like more of the XB1 "choose the inferior version" excuse list. Not really required from DF, people just need the facts.

  • Controller
  • Friends
  • I can't see resolution anyhow
  • I like the XB1 OS better
Like I said, they already clearly gave the PS4 version the nod, so I don't see the problem with saying the XB1 is still a good choice for MP. What is with some people and their conspiracy theories? I would understand the complaints if DF didn't say the PS4 was the better version of the two, but that is clearly not the case here.

Edit: Please don't ruin this thread with conspiracy theories and opinions. Get to the technical side of things, please.
 

GHG

Member
"Multiplayer is the saving grace for the game on both platforms. While resolution drops below the intended 900p on Xbox One, both consoles regularly achieve a slick 60fps experience with noticeable drops limited to explosive scenes. The PS4 version comes out ahead on the basis of providing a higher resolution, but the series' fast-paced twitch shooting still works well on Xbox One. In that respect the Sony platform has an overall advantage, but if you primarily play online, the Xbox One version is a solid choice if that's the platform where your friends are. Activision's marketing priorities have changed - and PS4 also has the advantage of getting DLC content ahead of other platforms."

lol

I can't believe DF is stooping to say this shit.

This is supposed to be a technical analysis. T.e.c.h.n.i.c.a.l.

They desperately need some good competition in this space because they have been slipping lately.
 

Welfare

Member
I can't believe DF is stooping to say this shit.

This is supposed to be a technical analysis. T.e.c.h.n.i.c.a.l.

They desperately need some good competition in this space because they have been slipping lately.

So you want them to say "Xbox One is inferior. PS4 all day every day fuck your friends if they are on Xbox"?

They are saying the version is solid. Jesus.
 

dofry

That's "Dr." dofry to you.
It's written a bit wonky but I understood it as "regardless of PS4 being better, don't skip on Xbone because it's solid too"
 

scitek

Member
I can't believe DF is stooping to say this shit.

This is supposed to be a technical analysis. T.e.c.h.n.i.c.a.l.

They desperately need some good competition in this space because they have been slipping lately.

Their technical analysis led them to the conclusion that the multiplayer is inferior, but still fine on the Xbox One. I don't see the issue.
 

gtj1092

Member
How many articles can the squeeze out of one game. Wish they would use this effort to analyze more games overall.
 

Javin98

Banned
Damn it, people, please get back to the technical achievements of the game. If this gets out of hand, I might request a mod to lock this thread.
 

Stanng243

Member
Like I said, they already clearly gave the PS4 version the nod, so I don't see the problem with saying the XB1 is still a good choice for MP. What is with some people and their conspiracy theories? I would understand the complaints if DF didn't say the PS4 was the better version of the two, but that is clearly not the case here.

Edit: Please don't ruin this thread with conspiracy theories and opinions. Get to the technical side of things, please.

Digital Foundry started the non-tech side of things with that line.
 

DeepEnigma

Gold Member
Our technical analysis says you should get new friends

I almost spit out my tea.

My memory is fuzzy, but did they do this last gen? I do not remember when they were fanning grassgate flames.

Not that I have a problem with it. Just find it, well, silly as to why all of a sudden now.
 

Elandyll

Banned
Their technical analysis led them to the conclusion that the multiplayer is inferior, but still fine on the Xbox One. I don't see the issue.
Why would just stating "The PS4 is the clear better version between consoles", and leaving it at that, be a problem?
 

dofry

That's "Dr." dofry to you.
Wait a minute, is this a new DF article or not? I get confused with multiple threads on BO3 face-offs.
 

GHG

Member
So you want them to say "Xbox One is inferior. PS4 all day every day fuck your friends if they are on Xbox"?

They are saying the version is solid. Jesus.

Their technical analysis led them to the conclusion that the multiplayer is inferior, but still fine on the Xbox One. I don't see the issue.


They could have just presented the facts and left it at that in their conclusion... But they didn't. There just had to be a disclaimer which isn't technical in the slightest.

Where's the comment about the fact that the PC version has free multiplayer if we are going down this road?
 
I enjoyed the campaign overall and some of the lighting and particle effects look incredible, but the cutscenes dipping to 30FPS, hell, some instances seemed to drop to fucking 15FPS or close to it, was extremely jarring and hard on the eyes.
 

Javin98

Banned
Wait a minute, is this a new DF article or not? I get confused with multiple threads on BO3 face-offs.
Yes, it's new. It's annoying, but it's now a habit of DF to release multiple articles for one game. Usually, it goes like this: performance analysis, what PC you need to run the game well, then finally face off.
 

BokehKing

Banned
So you want them to say "Xbox One is inferior. PS4 all day every day fuck your friends if they are on Xbox"?

They are saying the version is solid. Jesus.
They could have just said "Xbox version is solid" instead of that line they put in there
 

DeepEnigma

Gold Member
They could have just presented the facts and left it at that in their conclusion... But they didn't. There just had to be a disclaimer which isn't technical in the slightest.

Where's the comment about the fact that the PC version has free multiplayer if we are going down this road?

Good point.
 

jediyoshi

Member
They could have just presented the facts and left it at that in their conclusion... But they didn't. There just had to be a disclaimer which isn't technical in the slightest.

Where's the comment about the fact that the PC version has free multiplayer if we are going down this road?

Ain't nobody got time to make angry internet comments about that.
 
My issue with the "friends" line of thinking isn't that it isn't relevant (because of course it is, purchasing habits are and should strongly be based on where your friends are) but that it's a scenario that occurs regardless.

It's not as if the XB1 version dropped more frames and was more inconsistent then the PS4 version that all of a sudden the friends factor would disappear.
 

orochi91

Member
They could have just presented the facts and left it at that in their conclusion... But they didn't. There just had to be a disclaimer which isn't technical in the slightest.

Where's the comment about the fact that the PC version has free multiplayer if we are going down this road?

Agreed.
 
So you want them to say "Xbox One is inferior. PS4 all day every day fuck your friends if they are on Xbox"?

They are saying the version is solid. Jesus.

or you know, not mention friends to begin with considering its a technical analysis and not a review/recommendation article.
 
"Multiplayer is the saving grace for the game on both platforms. While resolution drops below the intended 900p on Xbox One, both consoles regularly achieve a slick 60fps experience with noticeable drops limited to explosive scenes. The PS4 version comes out ahead on the basis of providing a higher resolution, but the series' fast-paced twitch shooting still works well on Xbox One. In that respect the Sony platform has an overall advantage, but if you primarily play online, the Xbox One version is a solid choice if that's the platform where your friends are. Activision's marketing priorities have changed - and PS4 also has the advantage of getting DLC content ahead of other platforms."

lol

Yeah, I don't know what that line is doing in a technical breakdown.
 

dofry

That's "Dr." dofry to you.
Yes, it's new. It's annoying, but it's now a habit of DF to release multiple articles for one game. Usually, it goes like this: performance analysis, what PC you need to run the game well, then finally face off.

Ah, ok. They should add better titles to these articles: "we tested BO3 on consoles. You won't believe what happened next!"
 

onanie

Member
Well it smells like more of the XB1 "choose the inferior version" excuse list. Not really required from DF, people just need the facts.

  • Controller
  • Friends
  • I can't see resolution anyhow
  • I like the XB1 OS better

To the chalkboard!
 

Intrigue

Banned
I don't see what's wrong with that. They clearly gave the PS4 a win already in the conclusion, not like they just said this to damage control. The XB1 version is still mostly a rock solid 60FPS in MP.

The problem is its 100% irrelevant from a technical stand point, people will buy it on xbox one because of their friends, it being inferior or not.

It changes nothing, it seems to be a sign of desperation.
 

Durante

Member
Nothing really surprising here.

Well it smells like more of the XB1 "choose the inferior version" excuse list. Not really required from DF, people just need the facts.

  • Controller
  • Friends
  • I can't see resolution anyhow
  • I like the XB1 OS better
Funnily enough, that's the exact same list if you replace "XB1" with "PS4" and compare to the PC version :p
 

onanie

Member
Yes, it's new. It's annoying, but it's now a habit of DF to release multiple articles for one game. Usually, it goes like this: performance analysis, what PC you need to run the game well, then finally face off.
... Then where your friends at.
 

c0de

Member
So now many are complaining while I was almost the only one who complained about next-gen gameplay talk in RotTR. Fact is, their articles seem to always include something which is not really technical.
What people complain about is mostly showing colors.
 

DeepEnigma

Gold Member
It's a technical analysis. What system your friends are playing on is irrelevant.

It is amazing how many times we have seen the same topic in threads this generation from them, which I never recalled last gen, when they were torching the grass in games.
 
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