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[RibbedHero]

Digital Foundry's analysis of Uncharted 3 is up and boy is it glowing. Naughty Dog really are technology kings for consoles. Simply amazing work.

And it is - quite clearly - one of the most beautiful video games of its age. Where Uncharted 3 is peerless and unparalleled is in its ability to defy the technological constraints of current-generation platforms.

(Searched for this and only found a mention in the OT; lock if old.)

 

[RoboPlato]

I said this before when this article was posted but I'll say it again. It's probably the weakest tech analysis DF has ever done. They don't go into nearly as much depth as usual and most of it sounds like a mini review, talking about nothing that has to do with the tech side of the game. Really disappointing since I was hoping they would dissect it like most games. I wonder if they're going to take a look at the game again once the motion blur patch is out?

 

[DarkChild]

I said this before when this article was posted but I'll say it again. It's probably the weakest tech analysis DF has ever done. They don't go into nearly as much depth as usual and most of it sounds like a mini review, talking about nothing that has to do with the tech side of the game. Really disappointing since I was hoping they would dissect it like most games. I wonder if they're going to take a look at the game again once the motion blur patch is out?

Its probably because they had really good articles about UC2 and UC3 beta. I don't think there was any need to have another epic for UC3 retail.

Is motion blur going to be patched?

 

[Aklamarth]

Unparalelled my schnautzer. Also there's nothing technical in that article.

 

[RoboPlato]

Its probably because they had really good articles about UC2 and UC3 beta. I don't think there was any need to have another epic for UC3 retail.

Is motion blur going to be patched?

Yep, the first patch is adding back motion blur and fixing the SP aiming issues.

 

[Ridley327]

Unparalelled my schnautzer. Also there's nothing technical in that article.

Well, there is this tidbit:

Other interesting elements of Uncharted 3's technical make-up can be found by taking a look at the make-up of the disc itself. As Microsoft gears up in offering developers up to 7.9GB of space on its DVD format, Naughty Dog has taken full advantage of the Blu-ray delivery mechanism and utilises a colossal 46.3GB of space.

Nintendo was very wise to use Blu-ray or whatever they're going to "officially" call them on the Wii U.

 

[~Kinggi~]

The technological genius of Uncharted is that they are constantly delivering an experience that flows beautifully. There are no downtimes or pauses. I had a hard time knowing when the game was loading while showing pre-rendered video and when real-time footage was being used. Also just the simple fact it has many scenarios that you simply dont see in games because they are so difficult to create the dynamics for that can support different gameplay.

 

[BruiserBear]

On a side note, I'd just like to point out what a clusterfuck DF's recent redesign was. This article was posted yesterday, but of course most people don't even know it because the new design is such a freaking mess. You'd think the newest article, this U3 article, would be prominently shown on the DF front page, but it's not.

Website 101 folks.

 

[Replicant]

Unparalelled my schnautzer. Also there's nothing technical in that article.

Unparalleled is a bit of hyperbole because there are some rough spot in the game, graphic-wise. But yes, in general, the game does look very very good. I get the impression the team pour their effort 110% on that desert scene. Nate's character model looks unbelievably good in that scene.

 

[RibbedHero]

On a side note, I'd just like to point out what a clusterfuck DF's recent redesign was. This article was posted yesterday, but of course most people don't even know it because the new design is such a freaking mess. You'd think the newest article, this U3 article, would be prominently shown on the DF front page, but it's not.

Website 101.

Eurogamer really dropped the ball. I have a hard time seeing the newest articles. There's popular now, and recent articles, but I want a list of articles by published date. What a shitty redesign.

 

[alr1ght]

On a side note, I'd just like to point out what a clusterfuck DF's recent redesign was. This article was posted yesterday, but of course most people don't even know it because the new design is such a freaking mess. You'd think the newest article, this U3 article, would be prominently shown on the DF front page, but it's not.

Website 101 folks.

Website redesign 101: Make your site harder to navigate

 

[Truespeed]

Eurogamer really dropped the ball. I have a hard time seeing the newest articles. There's popular now, and recent articles, but I want a list of articles by published date. What a shitty redesign.

I agree the new layout is pretty bad and made it difficult trying to find new Digital Foundry content. They should ask some users, within the area, to visit with their web designers to point out the problems.

 

[Goodacre0081]

are we really up to two uncharted threads a day now?

 

[OldJadedGamer]

Nintendo was very wise to use Blu-ray or whatever they're going to "officially" call them on the Wii U.

Most times the extra space isn't used for gameplay but multiple languages and movies.

are we really up to two uncharted threads a day now?

One was created and then closed eariler by a mod.

 

[King of the Potato People]

I'm glad they called out the section as a kid. That part was terrible.

Technologically though the game is incredibly impressive most of the time and an absolute masterpiece there, I can only imagine that the boat flooding part must have been a nightmare to program. Someone could have lost sleep over that. Unless Nathan Drake has to escape a comet in Uncharted 4: Among Stars, then I can't imagine how the set pieces can get any more extreme. Strangely enough Uncharted 3 made me really look forward to what the next generation can bring.

 

[Aklamarth]

Other interesting elements of Uncharted 3's technical make-up can be found by taking a look at the make-up of the disc itself. As Microsoft gears up in offering developers up to 7.9GB of space on its DVD format, Naughty Dog has taken full advantage of the Blu-ray delivery mechanism and utilises a colossal 46.3GB of space.

Using duplicated data to overcame the seeking speed of the shitty bluray drive is hardly "unparalleled". Also let's get 1 thing straight : the game looks gorgeous in some places (yemen, france) and kind of ugly in others (syria). But just because ND has some great texture and shader artists doesn't make their tech "unparalleled" . I mean, come on, it's a 3rd person shooter (without open spaces i might add) with gorgeous graphics . What's so unparalled about that ?!

 

[RibbedHero]

I'm glad they called out the section as a kid. That part was terrible.

Technologically though the game is incredibly impressive most of the time and an absolute masterpiece there, I can only imagine that the boat flooding part must have been a nightmare to program. Someone could have lost sleep over that. Unless Nathan Drake has to escape a comet in Uncharted 4: Among Stars, then I can't imagine how the set pieces can get any more extreme. Strangely enough Uncharted 3 made me really look forward to what the next generation can bring.

How about a boat flooding in zero-gravity while a comet heads straight for Nathan Drake? Now THAT would be a pain to program.

 

[Ridley327]

Most times the extra space isn't used for gameplay but multiple languages and movies.

Given how bad audio and video compression can be on some 360 games, even those benefit from more space.

Back on topic, Uncharted 3 is certainly a very nice-looking game. I get the sense that they outstretched themselves with regards to how the animation blends at times, but it can be a rather remarkable game at its visual peaks.

 

[DarkChild]

Using duplicated data to overcame the seeking speed of the shitty bluray drive is hardly "unparalleled". Also let's get 1 thing straight : the game looks gorgeous in some places (yemen, france) and kind of ugly in others (syria). But just because ND has some great texture and shader artists doesn't make their tech "unparalleled" . I mean, come on, it's a 3rd person shooter (without open spaces i might add) with gorgeous graphics . What's so unparalled about that ?!

It doesn't look as hot as UC2 looked in 2009, but its still one of best games available on consoles (technically).

 

[Raonak]

How they managed to pull such an impressive looking game, with no installs and no load screens(well technically, 1 load screen when you start) is beyond me. Naughty gods indeed.

 

[King of the Potato People]

How about a boat flooding in zero-gravity while a comet heads straight for Nathan Drake? Now THAT would be a pain to program.

Amy Hennig might be reading and laughing with sinister glee.

"I know what I'll make my boys do next!"

 

[RooMHM]

Its probably because they had really good articles about UC2 and UC3 beta. I don't think there was any need to have another epic for UC3 retail.

Or maybe because it's - quite clearly - one of the most beautiful video games of its age. :lol

 

[TacticalFox88]

That awkward moment where you figure out that "Dog" in Naught Dog backwards is "God".

Goddammit.

 

[DarkChild]

How they managed to pull such an impressive looking game, with no installs and no load screens(well technically, 1 load screen when you start) is beyond me. Naughty gods indeed.

Its because cut scenes are pre rendered, the data is loading while cut scenes are playing.

 

[Alex]

I just wish it had better anti-aliasing. The multiplayer is especially a fright in that regard. Takes away a lot of the punch of the visuals to me when things with realistic visuals are swimming in a sea of jagged edges @ 720p.

I'm more interested in the next console cycle for cleaner visuals than I am for better asset work, really.

 

[LiK]

How they managed to pull such an impressive looking game, with no installs and no load screens(well technically, 1 load screen when you start) is beyond me. Naughty gods indeed.

ND knows how to hide their load times really well. Usually in the cutscenes and also when you're going through the tight spots. I notice my drive making noise whenever Drake is squeezing though a tight crevice in the wall.

Def gorgeous game but it still has minor glitches/bugs that is in every game in the series.

 

[Card Boy]

are we really up to two uncharted threads a day now?

lol

Uncharted 3 |OT| All Developers Dream, But Not Equally (the obvious one)
Digital Foundry vs Uncharted 3
Uncharted 3 Spoilers Thread
Uncharted... am I missing something? (mild spoilers)
[Video] Uncharted 3 Running at 60 FPS.
Uncharted 3 season pass announced (45% savings/$25 preorder sale - First 4 map packs)
Uncharted 3: the single-player aiming problems thread [Details in Op, Please Read]
PROOF that Uncharted 3 aiming issues exist!
Uncharted 3 OST - "15. Boarding Party" track question
Free copy of Uncharted 3 for a GAFFER
Extending the Uncharted Franchise: Prequel staring Victor "Sully" Sullivan proposal
Uncharted 3 reviews
Uncharted 3: Subway's Deception Multiplayer Discussion [New Patch Released]

Just from the last 19 pages.

 

[King of the Potato People]

lol

Uncharted 3 |OT| All Developers Dream, But Not Equally (the obvious one)
Digital Foundry vs Uncharted 3
Uncharted 3 Spoilers Thread
Uncharted... am I missing something? (mild spoilers)
[Video] Uncharted 3 Running at 60 FPS.
Uncharted 3 season pass announced (45% savings/$25 preorder sale - First 4 map packs)
Uncharted 3: the single-player aiming problems thread [Details in Op, Please Read]
PROOF that Uncharted 3 aiming issues exist!
Uncharted 3 OST - "15. Boarding Party" track question
Free copy of Uncharted 3 for a GAFFER
Extending the Uncharted Franchise: Prequel staring Victor "Sully" Sullivan proposal
Uncharted 3 reviews
Uncharted 3: Subway's Deception Multiplayer Discussion [New Patch Released]

Just from the last 19 pages.

Yes there's a few fans here.

 

[Noshino]

I'm glad they called out the section as a kid. That part was terrible.

Technologically though the game is incredibly impressive most of the time and an absolute masterpiece there, I can only imagine that the boat flooding part must have been a nightmare to program. Someone could have lost sleep over that. Unless Nathan Drake has to escape a comet in Uncharted 4: Among Stars, then I can't imagine how the set pieces can get any more extreme. Strangely enough Uncharted 3 made me really look forward to what the next generation can bring.

They talked about that on the last Bonus Round.

It doesn't look as hot as UC2 looked in 2009, but its still one of best games available on consoles (technically).

Sorry, but I have to disagree. IMO, U3 is the best looking game on consoles.

 

[LiK]

lol

Uncharted 3 |OT| All Developers Dream, But Not Equally (the obvious one)
Digital Foundry vs Uncharted 3
Uncharted 3 Spoilers Thread
Uncharted... am I missing something? (mild spoilers)
[Video] Uncharted 3 Running at 60 FPS.
Uncharted 3 season pass announced (45% savings/$25 preorder sale - First 4 map packs)
Uncharted 3: the single-player aiming problems thread [Details in Op, Please Read]
PROOF that Uncharted 3 aiming issues exist!
Uncharted 3 OST - "15. Boarding Party" track question
Free copy of Uncharted 3 for a GAFFER
Extending the Uncharted Franchise: Prequel staring Victor "Sully" Sullivan proposal
Uncharted 3 reviews
Uncharted 3: Subway's Deception Multiplayer Discussion [New Patch Released]

Just from the last 19 pages.

well, those two actually made a difference.

 

[DarkChild]

T



Sorry, but I have to disagree. IMO, U3 is the best looking game on consoles.

Well yea, its production values are through the roof. It has some of the best art in business plus tech to back it up. I just think some games have come very close in terms of tech, even surpassing it.

 

[nelsonroyale]

Well yea, its production values are through the roof. It has some of the best art in business plus tech to back it up. I just think some games have come very close in terms of tech, even surpassing it.

The only game I can think of which may give it a run for its money is GoW3, but I think that game is too inconsistant...the labryinth was just boring, as was the garden. The Titan's were incredible though, and GoW3 has better IQ

 

[XANDER CAGE]

Uncharted 2 revolutionised third-person action games by being able to stage action on moving objects.

I loved U2 and all, but could they lay it on any thicker?

 

[Phonomezer]

I loved U2 and all, but could they lay it on any thicker?

What do they even mean by that? :/

 

[RoboFu]

Unparalelled my schnautzer. Also there's nothing technical in that article.

Just because you can run Modern Warfare3 on a pc at 230234023 X 23234234 doesn't make it technically advanced. Uncharted does a lot suave tricks that no else does, or does not do as much.

 

[XANDER CAGE]

Just because you can run Modern Warfare3 on a pc at 230234023 X 23234234 doesn't make it technically advanced. Uncharted does a lot suave tricks that no else does, or does not do as much.

Err... I think their gripe was with the lack of much nitty-gritty tech discussion in the article. Which, compared to their huge Uncharted 2 article, is true.

 

[RibbedHero]

What do they even mean by that? :/

Eurogamer is talking about the gameplay stage moving, e.g. the train level.

 

[Massa]

lol

Uncharted 3 |OT| All Developers Dream, But Not Equally (the obvious one)
Digital Foundry vs Uncharted 3
Uncharted 3 Spoilers Thread
Uncharted... am I missing something? (mild spoilers)
[Video] Uncharted 3 Running at 60 FPS.
Uncharted 3 season pass announced (45% savings/$25 preorder sale - First 4 map packs)
Uncharted 3: the single-player aiming problems thread [Details in Op, Please Read]
PROOF that Uncharted 3 aiming issues exist!
Uncharted 3 OST - "15. Boarding Party" track question
Free copy of Uncharted 3 for a GAFFER
Extending the Uncharted Franchise: Prequel staring Victor "Sully" Sullivan proposal
Uncharted 3 reviews
Uncharted 3: Subway's Deception Multiplayer Discussion [New Patch Released]

Just from the last 19 pages.

They should make you a mod.

 

[Phonomezer]

Eurogamer is talking about the gameplay stage moving, e.g. the train level.

Gears of War 1 had a train level :/

 

[Bernbaum]

Naughty God.

 

[XANDER CAGE]

Eurogamer is talking about the gameplay stage moving, e.g. the train level.

Yeah Uncharted 2 didn't start that.

 

[Massa]

Yeah Uncharted 2 didn't start that.

What other game did it?

 

[funkystudent]

Not alot of technical analysis for a DF artical.

Spent more time talking about the games liniar level design then the tech.


It's a shame. Im sure people would want a in dept look at U3's graphics.

 

[XANDER CAGE]

What other game did it?

Action games... with moving levels?

Definitely not the first, but this was in 1996. As Phonomezer pointed out, too, Gears had a train level in 2006. Uncharted 2 is a fantastic piece of tech, but levels with moving bits wasn't spawned because of it.

 

[DarkChild]

The only game I can think of which may give it a run for its money is GoW3, but I think that game is too inconsistant...the labryinth was just boring, as was the garden. The Titan's were incredible though, and GoW3 has better IQ

BF3 and KZ3 could. RDR also.

 

[BurntPork]

Well, there is this tidbit:



Nintendo was very wise to use Blu-ray or whatever they're going to "officially" call them on the Wii U.

Not quite. As far as we know, Wii U uses 25GB discs. Games like this will only be possible on PS3 until PS4 and XB3 release.

Sony's probably going to use 100GB discs with PS4, so who knows how far tech could go with that?

 

[iamshadowlark]

Using duplicated data to overcame the seeking speed of the shitty bluray drive is hardly "unparalleled". Also let's get 1 thing straight : the game looks gorgeous in some places (yemen, france) and kind of ugly in others (syria). But just because ND has some great texture and shader artists doesn't make their tech "unparalleled" . I mean, come on, it's a 3rd person shooter (without open spaces i might add) with gorgeous graphics . What's so unparalled about that ?!

Did you even read the breakdown?

 

[nelsonroyale]

BF3 and KZ3 could. RDR also.

On consoles? I wouldn't say RDR is as technically impressive, despite being larger in scope. U2 impressed me more than that game actually. Actually, in terms of open world, I think Infamous 2 is more impressive than RDR. Haven't played KZ3.

BF3 on PC? Well I haven't played that yet, but Witcher 2 looks amazing. Interested to see how that runs on consoles, though I think textures will take a large hit, which will make a pretty large difference, because there is no game I have played with more consistant texture quality.

 

[kokujin]

The people still look like plastic.

 

[DarkChild]

On consoles? I wouldn't say RDR is as technically impressive, despite being larger in scope. U2 impressed me more than that game actually. Actually, in terms of open world, I think Infamous 2 is more impressive than RDR. Haven't played KZ3.

BF3 on PC? Well I haven't played that yet, but Witcher 2 looks amazing. Interested to see how that runs on consoles, though I think textures will take a large hit, which will make a pretty large difference, because there is no game I have played with more consistant texture quality.

I'm just talking purely technical. BF3 is amazing achievement. Fully deferred shading system on all platforms, great world interactivity, big scale, great textures and attention to details( talking from what I played in SP).

RDR is a beast, as GTA IV was( GTA IV lacked attention to detail, was also bit muddy). But those games are COMPLETELY dynamic. There is not a thing pre baked, animations and characters interaction with world is amazing. I definitely think that game belongs to top technological achievements on consoles.

Infamous 2 was good, but it did lack AA and the world was just ugly culled. Don't know how many people noticed, but to keep draw calls to minimum and GPU from "dying" they went for pretty drastic culling where alot of geometry wasn't visible 30 feet from you.