Support NeoGAF

[IbizaPocholo]

Panic Button Needs Time To Refine DOOM Eternal On Switch, id Software Says It Won't Be A "Huge" Delay

Hell, we're excited

www.nintendolife.com

While we still don't have a release date for the Nintendo iteration, in a recent interview, id Software's Marty Stratton spoke about how the Switch release required more time, in order for the port specialist at Panic Button to refine it. Here's exactly what he said:

It’s coming out a bit later than the game is on current consoles and PC, and really that’s just because we want to finish the game on those platforms and then give Panic Button – our partner on it – the time they need to really pull those refinements into the Switch version. It’s not going to be a huge delay, but we haven’t announced the launch time frame yet, but they are fantastic partners. They are masters of that platform.

As noted, it's not expected to be a "huge" delay. Stratton went onto reassure fans of DOOM that the new game on Switch would deliver:

I played through the games so many times, but playing through on the Switch all the way from beginning to end was one of my favorite experiences. To have it handheld and mobile was phenomenal. I think that’s what we’re going to deliver with Doom Eternal in all the same ways that Doom is fantastic on the current-gen platforms… we are very uncompromising in bringing it to Switch, and Panic Button is really on a great path.

 

[Codes 208]

After the eh port of doom ‘16 (and wolfenstein for that matter) on the switch, they can take their time. No more sub-hd running at 21-24fps ports please.

 

[MoreJRPG]

After the eh port of doom ‘16 (and wolfenstein for that matter) on the switch, they can take their time. No more sub-hd running at 21-24fps ports please.

That's the reality of the Switch. It's a miracle those games even "run" on it at all.

 

[-Arcadia-]

Disappointing that it’s no longer a same-day release, but reasonable enough, I suppose.

They do need to clarify a date, though. Switch fans went from being told they’d be a Day 1 platform, to hanging in some nebulous TBA date, with the platform even removed from marketing materials.

I really liked playing Doom portable, and am willing to consider that for this sequel.

 

[ethomaz]

Ports takes time (and money) but some are surprising good.

 

[RaptorGTA]

fine by me. take some time to get the game working properly

 

[Abriael_GN]

After the eh port of doom ‘16 (and wolfenstein for that matter) on the switch, they can take their time. No more sub-hd running at 21-24fps ports please.

Do you seriously expect better? Hardware is hardware.

 

[Codes 208]

Do you seriously expect better? Hardware is hardware.

With enough optimization and more experience with the architecture/hardware’s limitation? Yes.
Because if not, why bother?

 

[DynamiteCop!]

With enough optimization and more experience with the architecture/hardware’s limitation? Yes.
Because if not, why bother?

It's basically an overclocked handheld Xbox 360, not sure what you're expecting.

 

[Codes 208]

It's basically an overclocked handheld Xbox 360, not sure what you're expecting.

A game that can run at 30fps

 

[Abriael_GN]

With enough optimization and more experience with the architecture/hardware’s limitation? Yes.
Because if not, why bother?

To sell people a game they wouldn't otherwise have a chance to play at all?

If you want performance, get a platform that can provide it.

 

[DynamiteCop!]

A game that can run at 30fps

Well you shouldn't expect that from a current generation game on a computationally last generation piece of hardware.

 

[Sp3eD]

Doom 64 better be there in great shape for switch on march 20. . I want to complete my old doom game collection on switch please.

 

[Max_Po]

in 2020

Refine means DOWNGRADE


R O F L ...

 

[kiphalfton]

After the eh port of doom ‘16 (and wolfenstein for that matter) on the switch, they can take their time. No more sub-hd running at 21-24fps ports please.

You must be a man of faith.

 

[its_Ditz]

.

 

[NOLA_Gaffer]

It’s all good, I’ll be neck-deep in Animal Crossing during that time anyway.

 

[Abriael_GN]

People enter this thread with the hottest of hot takes I see....

Having this title on the Switch is a good thing all around. There´s literally NOTHING bad about it. If somebody truly cares about performance and graphics, he will NOT buy the game for the Switch.
Actually, he will have made sure to NOT even own (only) a Switch in order to buy these titles for different (as in stronger) systems.

Everyone else (=people who only own a Switch or prefer/don´t mind playing portably with downgrades) will look forward to this iteration.

I actually feel dumb for stating the most-obvious thing ever. Why are people acting so weird about this?

There isn't a single person in this thread arguing that porting the game to the Switch is a bad thing.

So... thank for stating the most-obvious thing ever that no one asked

 

[Wolfgang Jr]

A game that can run at 30fps

Is it a Nintendo game? No? Tough luck. Expect nothing better on Wii U hardware.

 

[nuttyevans]

Hats off to Panic Button. Looking forward to seeing what they can pull off.

 

[royox]

I see, aiming for the double dippers uh? Same pattern as before:

-Release game on Ps4Xbone for full price
-Wait some months
-Game can be found for less than 20 bucks on any digital store, even less when there are offers.
-Release a downgraded version of the game on Switch for full price.
-They get sales from new players of the game + double dippers that already have it on another platform.
-For a sub-HD-sub-30fps-blurried version of the game with "muh portability".


To be fair, I would do the same lol.

 

[Liamario]

Nintendo decides to release underpowered consoles and then owners of the system are disappointed that modern games run like ass on the system.

 

[AV]

A game that can run at 30fps

Breath of the Wild doesn't even run at 30fps. I love my Switch, but let's face it, it's a glorified tablet.

 

[its_Ditz]

.

 

[mcjmetroid]

In glad this is on the Switch but the reality is for me that I would want the best graphics possible for this style of game.

Playing in handheld is appealing for fps games but those joycons are almost impossible to use for fps games for me

 

[Nicktendo_]

Panic Button have my respect for the wonders they've worked on Switch. The fact the kept plugging away at Doom and released a couple of patches well after launch is evidence of this. The original looks decent and runs very well on a handheld device. Yes, it may not blow anyone away, but it's perfectly playable and sold well, so the market is there. The job they did with Rocket League is also to be commended, game runs at a flawless 60FPS.

I say give them the time they need, they won't disappoint going by their past track record.

 

[AV]

2x yes
BOTW does run 30fps with dips here and there. And the Switch is a glorified Tablet that you can plug into your TV.

Just because it can hit 30fps doesn't mean it runs at 30fps, the dips are huge while doing a lot of things. Hell, they could probably unlock it and have it run at 60 when you're facing a brick wall, but you wouldn't say it "runs at 60".

 

[VertigoOA]

With the larger open areas... I expect 16-bit era cutbacks for loading zones and other massive cutbacks to actually make it work. It should end up being an interesting DF analysis for sure.

 

[jts]

Nintendo decides to release portable consoles and gamers are surprised hardware performance isn’t the same as in stationary consoles

Fixed.

 

[Quezacolt]

Breath of the Wild doesn't even run at 30fps. I love my Switch, but let's face it, it's a glorified tablet.

BotW was in a weird spot, the devs already mentioned that the port had to be rusged for the Switch, so they didnt have time to optimize.

 

[AV]

BotW was in a weird spot, the devs already mentioned that the port had to be rusged for the Switch, so they didnt have time to optimize.

True, but what I'm saying is, it's not that important for a lot of people. Everyone still played and loved BotW and everyone who intends to buy Doom Eternal on a Switch probably isn't gonna be put off by the downgrade since you're accepting that you're trying to play it on terribly weak hardware.

 

[Quezacolt]

True, but what I'm saying is, it's not that important for a lot of people. Everyone still played and loved BotW and everyone who intends to buy Doom Eternal on a Switch probably isn't gonna be put off by the downgrade since you're accepting that you're trying to play it on terribly weak hardware.

True, i was just mentionigng BotW because it's always attacked for it's lacking performance when the problem isnt the hardware, just the lack of time to give it proper optimization. Kinda reminds me when people were making fun of the ps4 and xbone for running BF4 bellow 1080p at the start of the gen

 

[Väinömäinen]

People enter this thread with the hottest of hot takes I see....

Having this title on the Switch is a good thing all around. There´s literally NOTHING bad about it. If somebody truly cares about performance and graphics, he will NOT buy the game for the Switch.
Actually, he will have made sure to NOT even own (only) a Switch in order to buy these titles for different (as in stronger) systems.

Everyone else (=people who only own a Switch or prefer/don´t mind playing portably with downgrades) will look forward to this iteration.

I actually feel dumb for stating the most-obvious thing ever. Why are people acting so weird about this?

I do care about graphics and performance, but I will probably buy this for Switch because of gyro controls.

I have PS4 Pro, but developers do not use its gyro sensors.

 

[Liamario]

Fixed.

Nintendo has been behind the curve for generations, so you're being somewhat disingenuous. Switch is not just a portable console, especially when there are performance improvements when docked.

 

[ThatGamingDude]

in 2020

Refine means DOWNGRADE


R O F L ...

Once you see you can't unsee
Smart on the pick up dude, I didn't catch that. That's totally a marketing swing for sure

Whoever their PR team is, they're fuckin' good, I'll give them that.

Nintendo has been behind the curve for generations, so you're being somewhat disingenuous. Switch is not just a portable console, especially when there are performance improvements when docked.

Alright, now I'm a HUGE switch fan (But not enough of a fanboy to not be realistic with the thing), but like...nawh man it's a portable console/tablet

Alright, so, the phone in your pocket right now, not only can download apps to stream directly to most modern TVs, but also supports USB attachments to do it
That same phone can also hook up a multitude of controllers to it
So my phone is a console then?

It's a portable holmes; I love my switch but if it quacks like a duck....

 

[Brazen]

Nintendo has been behind the curve for generations, so you're being somewhat disingenuous. Switch is not just a portable console, especially when there are performance improvements when docked.

It still a 3 year old portable console getting some current gen demonic port love. That's just amazing to me all by itself. I wish I could've ripped an teared while still riding the school bus. Alas, born about 2 decades to soon.

 

[BitDust]

I think this time Panic Button will do a better job since DOOM Eternal is born with the Switch already out and much more experience on this system.

 

[MiguelItUp]

I think it's awesome that it's even coming to Switch in the first place to be quite honest. That being said, the more work that can be put into it, the better. That ALSO being said, I think it's important to remember the specs on the Switch. If Eternal is expected to be THAT much bigger, better, and badder than 2016, then it's clearly going to require some harder work and optimization to run on the console. Especially decently.

I'm getting DOOM 64 on my Switch ASAP as I'm excited about having it be my DOOM device. Which means in due time I'll need to get 2016 and Eternal for it as well.

 

[Hawks Eclipse]

Just because it can hit 30fps doesn't mean it runs at 30fps, the dips are huge while doing a lot of things. Hell, they could probably unlock it and have it run at 60 when you're facing a brick wall, but you wouldn't say it "runs at 60".

Might be something to do with your play style. I experienced dips as well but not to the point where I'd say it doesn't run at 30fps.

It's certainly not like N64's OOT performance.

 

[AV]

Might be something to do with your play style. I experienced dips as well but not to the point where I'd say it doesn't run at 30fps.

It's certainly not like N64's OOT performance.

There are entire areas (Lost Woods being the worst offender) where dips are completely unavoidable. In fairness they did patch it up like a month later and improve the performance, but even then it wasn't perfect.

 

[Codes 208]

Breath of the Wild doesn't even run at 30fps. I love my Switch, but let's face it, it's a glorified tablet.

True but botw atleast runs at 900p over the wii u’s 720p.

doom runs at a dynamic rez averaging around, what? 640p? and even at the low they couldnt get it at a near stable 30fps (but considering every other port this gen, i guess thats just par the course for aaa third party titles.)

damn, we really need a switch pro.

 

[Hawks Eclipse]

There are entire areas (Lost Woods being the worst offender) where dips are completely unavoidable. In fairness they did patch it up like a month later and improve the performance, but even then it wasn't perfect.

Okay, did you know that in Uncharted 4 the final boss fight is mostly under 30fps as well? It's actually unavoidable if you want to finish the game.

What I'm getting at is that a locked 30fps doesn't get achieved as often as you make it sound.

I've experienced the dips in BOTW myself, you can get them when the Stasis overlay is active on certain landscapes for example. For the majority of my 200+ hours, it was at 30fps.

P.S. I'm gonna be cheeky and say that you don't even need to go to the Korok Forest to finish the game, so that particular dip is avoidable.

 

[VertigoOA]

I’ve seen Botw drop into single digit frames were it was literally a slideshow and freeze up completely. I still loved the game but there’s a price to playing it on some underpowered, premium priced handheld.

For anyone using the Switch as their only gaming platform ... Consider getting a real game machine.

 

[AV]

Okay, did you know that in Uncharted 4 the final boss fight is mostly under 30fps as well? It's actually unavoidable if you want to finish the game.

What I'm getting at is that a locked 30fps doesn't get achieved as often as you make it sound.

I've experienced the dips in BOTW myself, you can get them when the Stasis overlay is active on certain landscapes for example. For the majority of my 200+ hours, it was at 30fps.

P.S. I'm gonna be cheeky and say that you don't even need to go to the Korok Forest to finish the game, so that particular dip is avoidable.

You've come full circle, look at what I was originally replying to. The point got lost in BotW hair-splitting; the point being you shouldn't expect a 30fps lock on the Switch for a 2020 game when both Nintendo's 2017 flagship title, and the other Doom port, couldn't manage it either.

 

[Hawks Eclipse]

You've come full circle, look at what I was originally replying to. The point got lost in BotW hair-splitting; the point being you shouldn't expect a 30fps lock on the Switch for a 2020 game when both Nintendo's 2017 flagship title, and the other Doom port, couldn't manage it either.

I did read it all and that was precisely why I took issue with your replies.

You could have brought up the previous Doom port not running at 30fps whenever scenes got heavy but you chose to write a reply that sounds like "BOTW is sub 30fps most of the time" which is what I disagreed with.

You can make your points while being technically correct.

 

[AV]

"BOTW is sub 30fps most of the time"

I said it doesn't run at 30fps, and it doesn't. If you have to avoid an entire area of the game, or play in a certain way to make it "run at" 30 FPS, it doesn't "run at" 30 FPS, it simply tries to. I can get to 300 on PC in The Witcher 3 by staring at a wall, but I wouldn't say I "had it running at" 300.

 

[cireza]

Gotta smooth those pixels some more.

 

[Hawks Eclipse]

I said it doesn't run at 30fps, and it doesn't. If you have to avoid an entire area of the game, or play in a certain way to make it "run at" 30 FPS, it doesn't "run at" 30 FPS, it simply tries to. I can get to 300 on PC in The Witcher 3 by staring at a wall, but I wouldn't say I "had it running at" 300.

BOTW runs at 30fps with dips.

Not running at 30fps is OOT on N64.

You (and I) wouldn't cherrypick wallstaring to say Witcher runs at 300fps, so don't cherrypick the dips of BOTW and claim the whole game doesn't run at 30fps either. If 90% of your playthrough was under 30fps I really gotta assume your playstyle was pretty extreme.

 

[AV]

If 90% of your playthrough was under 30fps I really gotta assume your playstyle was pretty extreme.

Or my playthrough was done when the game was first available to buy, not a month later when they fixed it. It sounds like you waited to play it, because the "dips" happened constantly and were pretty significant. And it still can't handle The Lost Woods. That's not a "dip", that's an entire area of the game, and a pretty important one, that does not run properly.

This really is pointless back and forth though, let's leave it.

 

[ChuyMasta]

It's alright, PB has to make sure Doom takes advantage of the Switch pro version.